Your small business can never get ahead of its competitors if it always plays catch-up. Sometimes, it is due to the technology that you have in place. Other times, it is due to using the technology for a long time that might be outdated. This leaves your business in a position where it cannot compete fairly in an increasingly competitive environment. Fortunately, advancements in technology — especially cloud technology and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) — make things easy for small businesses. They can use this technology with their phone systems to future-proof themselves.
Even though this might seem like a small investment, it opens new avenues for businesses to work and get ready for the future. Here is how implementing VoIP future-proofs your small business:
Free-Hardware Communication
One of the advantages of modern phone systems for small businesses is the ability to use them from different devices. Small businesses need to stop relying on desk phones whenever they need to engage with their customers.
The VoIP system comes with many features accessible through web and mobile applications. This means that you sign in to your account, from wherever you are, using a tablet, phone, or even PC.
Since you are doing everything to grow your business, you need a phone system that makes it easy for you when you move to other offices.
Your customers should always be able to reach you, even when working from home. This is impossible with the traditional phone systems that some small businesses use today.
Flexible and Remote Working
The future of small companies is being shaped by remote work. Even though people worked remotely for some time, the COVID-19 pandemic changed it completely. Most people worked from home during the pandemic, and companies are now embracing remote work more than before.
VoIP systems, unlike traditional phone systems, are the future of remote work. Using these phone systems, you do not have to set up potentially insecure and complex VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) when you want your staff to connect to the work network remotely.
Your equipment is hosted by the provider, who is responsible for making sure that all connections are secure. This makes your business more agile and flexible.
If you want your small business to survive in the end, then you need to embrace remote work, and support it with the VoIP system.
Cutting Operational Costs
Smart businesses are always looking for ways through which they can cut their operational costs. This is the difference between businesses that remain operational and those that shut down due to continued losses.
Traditional phone systems are expensive to operate and maintain compared to the VoIP system. You always need technicians for maintenance. In addition, you have to contact your provider when you need to add new employees to the system.
On the other hand, it is very cheap to run a VoIP system. For instance, you do not need any in-house complex hardware. This eliminates the need for on-site technical maintenance. In addition, you easily add new employees to the system without any help. All you need to do is just add them to your account.
The cost of calls is also cheaper, as compared to making calls with traditional phone systems. Expanding your small business means exploring new markets, which might be in other countries. VoIP systems are cheaper when making international calls.
Meeting Future Regulations
Finally, did you know that some countries such as the UK are shutting down the ISDN network (Integrated Services Digital Network) in 2025? They want everyone to start using VoIP phone systems. If you are still using the traditional phone systems, it means that you are not ready for the future.
VoIP systems are cost-effective. They are easy to set up and very cheap to maintain. If you sign up now, you will be ready by 2025 when other companies sign up. You will have tried all the features and selected the ones that are good for your company.
Final Comments on Implementing VoIP
Small businesses should embrace technology and implement systems that prepare them for what lies ahead. One way of doing this is by implementing VoIP systems to reap all the benefits it has over the traditional phone systems.
