Own a small business? You probably think a lot about cost savings and budget-friendly operational strategies then.
When it comes to finding the most efficient means of communication for your business, VoIP phones take the lead and the numbers aren’t lying.
Research reports suggest that the worldwide demand for VoIP phone systems is estimated to hit a whopping $140 billion benchmark by 2021. That’s at least a 9 percent growth rate from 2016!
According to IT World, making the switch from traditional landline phones to VoIP phones saves around 45 percent of a business’s monthly expenses.
Ready to switch over to a VoIP phone, then?
VoIP phones come in two forms; softphones and IP desk phones. That’s a decision many VoIP phone users struggle with because they both come with their fair share of pros and cons. It all comes down to analyzing which option works best for your situation.
In today’s blog, we’ll help you arrive at a final decision. Let’s discuss both VoIP phone systems and so you can choose which one meets your business communication needs.
What is an IP Desk Phone?
Also known as a hard phone, this calling system mimics a conventional analog handset that you often see on office desks. You can use a VoIP hard phone to make and receive calls just like you would with the traditional analog, except the connection here is being provided through your internet, i.e., your IP network.
When it comes to purchasing price, VoIP hard phones have a broad range. You can get some very basic models for just $50 while the higher end stuff can cost you several hundred dollars. However, the higher the price, the more features are guaranteed to you, such as more cable connection ports, operator voice messaging and touch screens.
What is a Softphone?
A softphone is a computer-based program that helps you place phone calls through the internet. You can install a softphone onto any of your current devices with internet connection such as your desktop PC, smartphone, tablet and laptop.
The mechanism of a softphone is usually easier for first-time users to understand since they’re fairly similar to how their cell phones work. They feature a touch screen dialing pad where users can punch in numbers to make phone calls and access other services like call forwarding. Softphones can also be integrated with various third-party apps and be connected with a business’s CRM software for ready availability.
The lack of hardware makes softphones a game-changer in the world of global communications since people already have all the equipment needed to run them. With the power of the internet, users can make conference calls, check messages and perform various other tasks regardless of where they’re located in the world.
Which VoIP Phone Works for Your Business?
If your business has a solid internet connection, then there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to go for the softphone VoIP system. You won’t need any additional equipment and if your employees tend to work from remote locations on a regular basis, then the softphone can allow you to remain flexible in your operations.
On the other hand, the hard phone may cause you to incur some extra costs for buying the IP desk hardware such as cables, power adapters and maybe some internet routers. You might have to consider costs for installation and configuration too.
However, there are some unique hard phone features that make it worth whatever costs you have to incur in the start.
What to Keep In Mind Regarding IP Desk Phones
1. Good voice quality
Although both VoIP systems are capable of making video calls and offer HD audio, IP desk phones offer superior voice quality.
2. Easy to use
If your work relies heavily on the physical presence of an office space or if you’re working in a field like customer servicing, then a hard phone can be easier to operate. There are also fewer chances of glitches and you can forward calls, put them on hold or divert them with fewer mistakes.
3. Start-up costs
As mentioned above, there will be some minor costs that’ll come with setting up a hard VoIP phone at your office. This can range anywhere from $50 to even $200, depending on the condition of your phone set and the service provider you’ve selected.
If you’re looking for VoIP phone services providers, here are some of the best ones in all of USA.
What to Keep In Mind Regarding Softphones
1. Portability
You can install all relevant softphone applications onto your chosen device and access them from wherever you can find a reliable internet connection.
2. Cost-saving
Softphones don’t require any hardware or licenses for purchasing. You can simply install the VoIP system onto your computer device and use your old headsets and cables if need be. This is a great benefit for startups and small business that are very meticulous about company expenses. To give you perspective, softphones can save your over $1,700 every month on long distance calls and cell phone service charges.
3. Mobility
Softphones allow its users to make and receive phone calls, access their contact lists and perform various other VoIP functions irrespective of what part of the world they’re operating from. As long as you have an internet connection, you can carry on being productive.
4. Flexibility
Hard phones are starting to catch up on this feature but softphones are already enabling its users to integrate its features with third-party applications for free. With softphones, you can also forward calls to a separate device so in case you lose connectivity in one area, you can always continue working on another device.
5. Background Noise
Perhaps the only real drawback of opting for a softphone is that you can’t do much about background noises. Unless you’re in a quiet room, noises in your office and a bungled internet connection can cause voice distortions.
Final Word
Whether you’re leaning toward an IP desk phone or think a softphone will help your business communication needs, the choice of your VoIP service provider can make a world of difference.
At Top5 Business VoIP, we offer comprehensive reviews, comparisons and analyses on the best service providers in the market. From 3-way calling features to free long-distance calls; there’s a lot of competition when it comes to VoIP customer servicing.
Choose your ideal VoIP phone and provider with us today!
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