There are many new phone system options available in the market today for you to consider for your business. One of those is VoIP service, an option that has grown in popularity over the past few years. Many people have “jumped on the bandwagon” of this type of phone service and love it. Some are still skeptical.

Voice over IP Telephony

Whether you are jumping in blindly or still mulling over some factors, here are a few points you may want to consider. While they may not seem big ticket items now, they could boomerang into insurmountable issues late on. If you are considering signing up for a VoIP service then read on to understand the issues to keep in mind. You will most likely enjoy the service but make sure to have these questions answered before you sign on the dotted line.

How Stable Is The Company?

There are many companies out there offering VoIP products and services. When you sign up, you are putting your reputation on stake. If a customer calls and you can’t answer or get back because your phone is down, they will most probably go elsewhere with your business. You do not want to lose business because your phone company went out of business. Be sure to check how stable the company is. Look and see how long they have been in business and what their long term plans are. See how well they are financed.

Can You Call 911?

Make sure that the company you work with has 911 capabilities that you may need. This has been a topic of discussion recently and making sure you have these capabilities is a priority. You want to make sure that if you ever need the service it is available to you. Some companies have to use it quite often depending on their type of business. Make sure to discuss this with the company of choice before you sign.

What Kind Of Support Is There?

No matter how much you hope that the VoIP phone system is installed well and works perfectly, there are always times you need support from the company. Make sure to check into what type of support staff they have. Do you have local support that can come to your office when needed? Talk with the vendor about these details to know who you are working with and what happens if you need technical support quickly.

Contract Details

Take time and really read what the contract says. There are some contracts that have hefty fines if you terminate early. Others may have clauses in there about updates and service. Be sure you know what it says and what applies to the services you have purchased. Also talk to your technician and ask questions if you are unsure. Do not sign the contract until you are comfortable with all the details.

Check Total Cost

Be sure to check the entire cost that is involved when you are ordering for a phone system. You do not want to be shocked figures when your first bill comes to you and it is time to pay. Ask what all is involved in the charges they give you. Talk with them about installation and service costs as well. Some companies like to hide fees later on and they can shock you when they add up. Be sure you know what the cost is and what you are paying for. If you are not comfortable, ask questions. They should be able to answer all of them to your satisfaction.

VoIP is a great system to use if you know what you are getting into. Make sure to always ask questions and know what you are paying for. Do not be afraid to question your technician or the company. You want to be on good terms with the company and know you have the support your business needs.

Michelle Patterson has always been interested in communications technology. She is very excited about VoIP, and feels there is going to be a paradigm shift in the communication industry. She wants to be in the thick of things when that happens.