VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems aren’t exactly new, but thanks to the wider availability of high-speed internet they’ve become the go-to solution for businesses looking to save money.

Wait… are traditional landline systems really that expensive?

I’m glad you asked, because yes. Yes they are.

Because traditional landline systems rely on, you know, physical landlines, they’re no longer able to provide the best rates on local or long-distance calls. In contrast, VoIP sends your communications as data packets over the internet rather than through wires and switchboards. Just like any other service, less hardware means lower costs.

On top of that, traditional landline systems simply can’t provide the same quantity or quality of features VoIP can at a reasonable price. Each new feature requires an expensive add-on to your PBX box — each requiring possible downtime with an expensive visit from IT.

And don’t even get me started on all the reasons to replace your PBX box itself…

Without all that outdated hardware to maintain, VoIP saves you exponentially more money over time. Just as importantly though, switching to VoIP saves you money each and every month. Let’s take a look at some specifics so you have a better idea of how that’s possible.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE WITH VOIP?

The short answer is, well, quite a lot. But somehow, the long answer is even more impressive.

Plus, if you’re just starting a new business or opening a new location, VoIP systems can cut down on your initial startup costs by an eye-popping 90%.

Now that your mind is sufficiently blown by how much money VoIP can save you every month, you’re probably wondering how exactly that’s all possible. Grab a spoon, because it’s time to dig into some proof pudding.

WHERE DO ALL THOSE SAVINGS COME FROM?

Very Few Upfront Hardware Costs

If you’ve ever had to work with legacy phone systems, you know they require a truly terrifying amount of on-premise hardware. Wires, wires, everywhere. Carefully spaced switches and splitters. An entire closet dedicated to your PBX box because lord have mercy if it’s not behind a locked door where nothing can wiggle one of its precious wires and bring your whole business down.

The cost of all that on-premise infrastructure adds up quickly, especially if you want advanced features like auto-attendants or call queues. Each phone must be manually provisioned. All the hardware requires proper installation. You get the idea.

Meanwhile, with a VoIP phone system, your only hardware costs are… adding more ethernet ports? Potentially?

Since it’s hosted in the cloud, VoIP service doesn’t require a PBX box or analog wiring. VoIP also works with all modern devices and even allows you to use your computer or cell phone to make calls. Rather than needing special hardware or installations for advanced features, VoIP systems can be updated remotely and instantly with whatever your business needs.

Lower Calling Fees Across the (Switch)Board

Besides the lack of on-premise hardware, VoIP’s other main selling point is that it makes calls over the internet rather than landlines. It’s a much simpler process, with fewer moving parts, which naturally means it’s cheaper to facilitate.

VoIP providers are then able to pass those savings on to their customers, giving you lower rates on both local and international calls.

Plus, with FluentStream, you get unlimited internal and local calls for the low, low price of free. It doesn’t matter if your coworker is at home or another office, as long as it’s from one extension to another, it’s on us.

Easy Scaling and Automatic Upgrades

With a traditional on-premise phone system, every new feature or update means breaking out the checkbook and waiting for IT to set everything up. Those costs add up fast, especially if your company is growing or you’re expanding to other locations.

However, with cloud-hosted VoIP, your provider keeps your system up to date at no additional cost. Adding new extensions, devices, and features may not be free, but it does happen remotely and instantly.

FluentStream even takes things a step further! We have no contracts, meaning you can add (or subtract) numbers and extensions as often as needed to accommodate your growing business. Plus, you can mix and match licenses to make sure you’re never paying for features that some of your staff don’t need.

Better, More Efficient Customer Service

“Increased customer service productivity” may not show up as a line item on your invoice, but it saves you money every month just the same.

With a VoIP system, you can:

• • Use auto attendants to direct callers more efficiently
  • Handle higher call volumes without sending customers to voicemail
  • Ring multiple phones at once and forward calls to other devices
  • Automatically collect feedback to help your team improve over time

However — and wherever — you communicate with your customers, VoIP streamlines your workflow and makes it easier to provide excellent service.

Little to No System Maintenance

Newer technologies, especially in communications, have a reputation for being finicky and easy to break. That may be true for NASA antennas and those newfangled folding smartphones, but not when it comes to business VoIP.

Since it’s hosted in the cloud, you don’t have to worry about maintaining or repairing your VoIP system. From servers to web portals to mobile apps — it’s all handled remotely by your provider. No aging PBX box that costs an arm and a leg to repair (if you can find replacement parts at all). No expensive wiring and hardware installations any time you want to add another phone.

All you need to do to maintain your VoIP system is make a free call to your provider’s customer support team and watch them work their technical wizardry.

Have more questions about how much money switching to VoIP can save you every month? Want to know how much a FluentStream can improve your customer experience? Let us know at sales@fluentstream.com or by calling 303-GO-CLOUD and selecting Option 1.