Today, investors of real estate are experiencing a variety of issues given a global pandemic, the state of the economy, and a seller’s market. One challenge they face is what communications tool they should be using for today’s busy on-the-go times.
For many investors, switching to VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone systems from landlines has become increasingly advantageous given the cost savings, ability to work from anywhere, and the numerous features VoIP offers.
This piece is intended to educate realty investors on VoIP in order to help them make the best decisions on the latest communications tools. Download a free guidebook on VoIP.
Understanding VoIP Phone Systems
Voice over Internet Protocol phones (VoIP) use the internet to make and receive phone calls using either analog phones, or IP (Internet Protocol) phones that are plugged into Ethernet jacks.
From here, making and receiving calls is easy, and one can customize features by simply using a web portal and login.
The Difference Between VoIP and Landlines
The most significant difference between traditional landline phones and VoIP is basically technology.
Since the beginning of the 20th Century, landline phones haven’t changed. They require the infrastructure of wiring and exchange hardware. Landline phone technology is limited by today’s standards, allowing users to basically only make and receive voice calls.
On the other hand, VoIP technology has literally changed the way businesses communicate. IP capabilities have been around for several decades, and VoIP services have advanced in recent years, because of faster internet speeds and innovation.
While landline phones offer featured add-ons for additional costs, VoIP systems have numerous communications features already built-in.
Biggest VoIP Advantages
- Cost Savings – one of the most appealing benefits for moving to VoIP is the cost savings. For those currently with landlines, it’s clear how expensive they are – from setup, to monthly recurring costs, adding features, and ongoing IT support. To help you understand what you could save with a VoIP system, try the VoIP Savings Calculator.
- Quality of Calls — VoIP truly provides the quality of phone calls businesses desire through increased internet speeds and technology advances.
- Perception – it’s vital for the public, customers and prospects to view your business in the best light possible. This often depends on their first and ongoing phone interaction with your business. When they call, do they hear a welcome message with easy directions, or literally no one answers, or they are just put on hold. VoIP systems change all this, allowing businesses of any size to sound professional.
- Working Remotely – VoIP systems are flexible, providing the tools to communicate with employees and colleagues no matter where they are working – the office, the road, or at home.
VoIP Basics
VoIP systems work by taking your voice and turning it into data, which is then transmitted over the internet. This is similar to sending emails.
You’ve already used VoIP, if you’ve used Skype. Calls through VoIP are made on your phone, connected to the internet, with a network cable or adapter, or through a computer’s microphone and speakers, using an app. To make calls, a VoIP service provider routes the voice data between you and the other caller – literally within a split second.
VoIP Transforms Business Communications
Having a phone system that meets the public’s expectations is crucial, especially when a business grows. VoIP systems, unlike traditional landlines, come with critical features that help any business make the right impression. This includes:
- Your Business Number – transitioning to VoIP is simple, especially since you can keep your current business number. The second you plug in your phones, you’ll be able to make and receive calls. This is a benefit as there is no need to change your website, letterhead or even business cards. Your VoIP service provider can take care of moving your current business number to your new phone system.
- Ring Groups – to create positive experiences for every caller, program Ring Groups to ring at the same time so everyone in a department, like customer service, receives the call; or ring sequentially – to ring, person to person, until someone picks up.
- Virtual Receptionist – the perfect solution to resolve missing calls or potential business, as your phone is busy or your greeting is unprofessional. If you can’t have a ‘live’ employee answer the call, Virtual Receptionist takes over. Instead of callers hearing a busy signal or being quickly put on hold, callers listen to a message and can be given numerous, easy options on how to proceed.
- Working Remotely – today with so many people working remotely, staying connected to customers and the public is crucial. Employees should not be using their personal phone numbers for business. VoIP systems, unlike landlines, support working remotely through mobile and desktop apps, and voice messages forwarded as email attachments. This allows everyone to receive and make calls from anywhere, similar to how they would from their office.
About the Author
Ken Narita’s marketing career spans two decades of helping businesses large and small grow. Whether advising emerging startups, guiding clients from the agency side or now leading SMB marketing at Ooma, Ken takes an empathetic approach to addressing goals, gaps, and opportunities. Ken has led demand generation, field marketing, customer marketing, and marketing operations teams, integrating campaigns across all functions to drive results. For more information, visit: www.ooma.com. For questions or comments, please email: press@ooma.com.
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