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Cloud VoIP

What is a cloud VoIP phone system?

Cloud VoIP or cloud-based VoIP is a business phone service that routes calls through the internet.

Most cloud VoIP systems come with advanced features like auto attendant, call recording, video conferencing, and long-distance calling.

What is a cloud VoIP phone system
How does cloud VoIP work

How does cloud VoIP work?

Let's get technical: VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, takes the audio from phone calls and transforms it into data packets. The data is sent over an IP (Internet Protocol) network and does not require the use of telephone wires.

All you need is WiFi: By using your existing internet connection, cloud VoIP can help you slash company costs and equipment. With WiFi or data, your team can now take their office with them, wherever they go.

Cloud VoIP: Pros & Cons

Moving from an on-premise PBX system to a cloud VoIP phone system giving you the jitters?

Cloud VoIP helps you save thousands of dollars — sometimes up to 60% of your business phone bill. Here are some other upsides to think about:

Cloud VoIP Pros

  • Lower costs
  • Increased accessibility
  • Complete portability
  • Higher scalability
  • Advanced features for small and large teams
  • Clearer voice quality
  • Supports multitasking
  • More flexibility with softphones

Cloud VoIP Cons

  • Requires a reliable internet connection
  • Latency and jitter
  • No location tracking for emergency calls

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What is the best cloud VoIP phone service?

This one's easy! Nextiva's cloud VoIP phone system is a unified communications platform that can change the way your small business operates.

With VoIP-enabled desk phones, mobile phones (or mobile apps), and web apps, your team can always stay connected.

Focus on call quality, cost savings, and customer service with Nextiva's cloud VoIP phone system.

Understand your customers

How to set up cloud VoIP

1. A reliable internet service provider

Since VoIP uses the internet to make and receive calls, you must have a reliable internet connection.

For easy access to your VoIP phone system, you need to have enough internet bandwidth. Ensure of your ISP's upload and download speeds meet industry standards to avoid any hiccups.

Calculate the number of total devices that you need for your business. Each VoIP device consumes a certain portion of the bandwidth, so stick with what you actually need.

Generally, you need 100kbps or 0.1mbps for one VoIP device. If you need five devices, you'd need an additional 500kbps.

Use our VoIP speed test tool to check your internet speed and network jitter levels.

If you're using a high-speed broadband connection, speed won't be an issue. But you don't want your network to run at maximum capacity all the time, so it'd be best to contact your ISP and upgrade your internet plan.

2. SIP-enabled device

A Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) enabled device is used to set up and manage phone calls. To maximize what cloud VoIP can do for you, you'll need SIP-enabled phones. The number of phones you need is based on the number of employees using a phone at any given time.

You have two options to choose from:

Convert your existing analog telephone to a SIP phone with an ATA adapter.

Purchase a hard phone. Hard phones are similar to traditional phones but let you connect to the network. You can easily get a SIP-enabled hard phone under $100.

You can also use a softphone which lets you make and receive phone calls from your computer, smartphone, or a tablet. It works like any VoIP app.

3. VoIP provider

This is the easy part. Nextiva is the #1 ranked VoIP provider and is known for unparalleled customer service. We’ll gladly handle everything for you in the transition. With our award-winning Amazing Service®, we’re here to help your business grow in the long-term.

Built for a growing business at any stage — startup or enterprise.

Cloud VoIP FAQ

How to choose a cloud VoIP system

Here are a few tips that will help you identify the best phone system for your company:

  1. Understand why you need to upgrade, install, or replace a business phone service.
    1. What are your goals?
    2. Which system — if any — do you use currently?
    3. Which specific features and capabilities do you need in a telephone service?
  2. Assess the current and potential call volume for your business based on employee count, office locations, and voice-based engagement with customers, vendors, partners, teams, and other stakeholders.
  3. Consider your scalability options when it comes to future growth. Go for a service that fits your strategy.
  4. Make an audit of the resources, platforms, and technology stack with which you want to integrate the phone service. Determine if the local internet service is of adequate quality and speed for VOIP solutions.
  5. Allocate a reasonable budget for the phone system.
  6. Scour the telephony systems market for a service or provider that match your budget and operational needs.
  7. Research the track records of service providers, especially their reputation when it comes to reliability and customer support.
  8. Do some legwork on what systems/service providers your competitors use.
  9. Make a shortlist of your options.
  10. Request for demos and try/stress test the shortlisted services before signing up.

How many cloud VoIP phone lines do I need?

Answer these questions, and you'll be on the right track to deciding how many phone lines you'll need:

  • What do I consider a “business line”? Will my definition of “business line” change at some point?
  • Will I need more (or less) lines within six months? 12 months? Five years?
  • What is my business model? Will I need a robust system that handles a call center? Or a simple system for a small office?
  • What's my budget? How much am I willing to spend?
  • Which parts of the customer experience are most important for my business?

How do I get a business phone number?

  1. Scope out the different types of business phone numbers — local, vanity, virtual, toll-free, etc.
  2. Evaluate how many phone lines you'll need.
  3. Choose your business phone number(s) based on your location.
  4. Add extensions
  5. Think about other advanced features business VoIP you may need — call forwarding, contact center features, and real-time analytics, for example.

Experience the power
of cloud VoIP

 
Dave | with Nextiva since 2008

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