Even in our modern day and age where many people opt for Webchat and texting, businesses should still have a phone number their customers can call. A VoIP phone system is a great option, as it delivers numerous benefits for your business.
What is a VoIP Phone System?
VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. This is an alternative to traditional landline phones, as it relies on the internet for making and receiving calls. VoIP tends to be much more affordable than traditional landlines while delivering plenty of other advantages as well.
Benefits of VoIP for Retail
Now that you know that a VoIP service provider lets you make and receive calls using the internet, let’s take a look at some advantages of switching to VoIP phones for retail businesses.
1. VoIP Is Easy to Install
Installing a VoIP phone system is incredibly easy, especially compared to a landline. All you need to do is connect the system to the internet. There is no need to run a landline from the telephone pole. In fact, you may not even need a technician to install the system for you if you are comfortable and knowledgeable enough to do it yourself. Otherwise, you may still opt to have a technician do the installation. Still, if you prefer to install the VoIP phones yourself, your VoIP service provider will likely walk you through the process.
2. VoIP Requires Less Maintenance
Traditional landline phones come with a fair amount of maintenance requirements. It is a fact of life that you will have to maintain and occasionally replace your copper wiring. But this isn’t an issue with VoIP for retail, as you just need to connect the phone to the internet. No copper wiring is involved with VoIP phones.
3. VoIP Updates Are Digital and Automatic
One aspect of phone maintenance is updating the system when necessary. Traditional phone systems typically require you to update them manually, carefully following step-by-step instructions. By contrast, VoIP service updates are usually completely digital. In many cases, they are even automatic, so you don’t have to do anything apart from pressing a button or closing an update notification. Your VoIP phone will always be updated with minimal effort.
4. VoIP for Retail Is Cost-Effective
Cost is a significant factor in your decisions for everything related to your business, including your phones. VoIP calls tend to be more affordable than landlines, even when calling locally. The savings increase significantly if your store ever has to make international calls. Remember that saving even a few cents per call quickly adds up depending on the size of your business. The more VoIP calls you make, the more savings you will get compared to using regular landline phones.
5. VoIP Is Scalable
Another amazing thing about VoIP service is that it is highly scalable. This is excellent news for businesses that plan on growing. While you can add more lines to a landline, it is easier and more affordable to do so with VoIP.
Consider the requirements of adding another traditional landline. You’d have to add copper wiring, hire a technician to spend hours installing the system, and pay extra maintenance fees. By contrast, adding another line to a voice over internet protocol system is incredibly easy. Your monthly fee for VoIP services for your retail business will likely increase slightly, but it will otherwise be hassle-free and not require a complicated installation procedure. You’ll notice an immediate boost to your ability to take VoIP calls on more lines.
6. VoIP Offers Advanced Features
If you use a traditional phone, all you get is a phone. But now that everyone has a smartphone in their hands, we’ve come to expect more from phones. A VoIP service gives you this kind of access to advanced features. In fact, the number of advanced features you can get from a VoIP provider will likely continue to grow in the future.
To start, you can set up your VoIP service to record, store, or even transcribe your calls. You can then use that information for analysis, training, or similar benefits. You may also use the VoIP phone system to forward or redirect calls easily.
Another function offered by a VoIP phone system is gathering data and information about your calls. By reviewing call analytics, you can boost your customer service and call quality. You can even use the system to play recorded messages when customers are on hold.
Many VoIP providers can automatically pull up information about the calling customer. If your VoIP system integrates with other functions, you can even see information about recent conversations and transactions. This is a feature that only the best VoIP providers offer.
Some of these features aren’t even possible with traditional landlines—and if they are possible, they require expensive upgrades and additional programs. But with VoIP services, they can be built right into your existing system.
7. VoIP Allows for Multi-Device Access
While using a portable landline phone within one store is possible, you will find it challenging or impossible to attend to landline calls outside your store. Its range only goes so far. If you are out running an errand or on a break, you automatically lose access to your phone and will be unable to attend to your customers.
A VoIP service lets you forward incoming calls to mobile devices like smartphones, a feature that’s only possible because of its use of the internet. This lets you easily answer your business phone from your mobile phone no matter where you are, without the need to carry an additional phone.
This is incredibly useful for business owners who are rarely in the store but still want access to the business phone. This feature will also be especially useful in the case of an unexpected disaster or emergency rendering the store inaccessible. Just set your VoIP phone systems to forward phone calls to your smartphone, and you can answer the store phone whenever and where ever you are.
8. VoIP Has Higher Call Quality
Generally speaking, you can expect to have better call quality with a VoIP service than you would with landlines. With better call quality, it will be much easier for your team to understand customers and for customers to understand your team. That, in turn, improves the customer experience.
While the call quality is important enough for regular calls, it becomes even more important if your business regularly has conference calls between various locations. VoIP phone systems excel at maintaining call quality when multiple lines are in a conversation.
9. VoIP Is Well-Established
VoIP phone calls have been around long enough that they have become an established communication technology. Minor issues with the system have already been addressed, giving you confidence in the reliability of VoIP services.
Get Started with Podium Phones
Looking for a phone solution for your business? Allow us to introduce you to Podium Phones. When your team is on the phone, they’ll see their caller’s name and all recent interactions, such as reviews, messages, and payments. Make every call count. Stop leaving leads on the line. Learn more today.
