How VoIP Can Turn (almost) Any Device into a Phone and How to Choose The Right Provider for Your Needs

  • October 20, 2021

With the continuing growth of accessibility that technology offers us the days of being tied to a landline are becoming a thing of the past. The wave of mobile phones and tablets is upon us, in this blog we’re going to cover how (almost) any device you have can now become a medium for you to place and take voice and video calls with the use of a “Voice over Internet Protocol” system. With VoIP technology, you can now turn any device that can access the internet into a phone with a dedicated number. This has become a cost-effective way for businesses of all sizes to be able to not only manage but grow and scale employee communications for minimal cost while also keeping them secure and connected throughout their suite of devices. We’re going to walk through why connectivity is so important across all devices and what aspects of a VoIP you should take into account before deciding on one.

How to Utilize Your Devices as VoIP Phones?

Since VoIP is application-based there are multiple ways you can access your VoIP provider regardless of your location or the type of device you’re on here are the different options when it comes to accessing your VoIP:

Desktop Application – This is a scenario in which the VoIP application is downloaded on the laptop or desktop you’re using. Even if you visit the VoIP provider’s website to attempt to use the web application, typically you’ll be met with an option to open the desktop application.

Mobile Application – This is an application downloaded off of the Apple or Android stores to be placed on your phone or tablet. This is best used on the go or when you’re out of the office.

Web Application – This is a scenario in which the VoIP application isn’t downloaded natively on the laptop or desktop you’re using, this is common practice if you’re having to take/make a call on a non-company device or a device that you may just be using temporarily.

Which VoIP works best for me?

There are several factors in choosing the proper VoIP, a few to consider are: what are my core needs? How many team members do I have? What third-party integrations are important to me? What’s my budget?

If you’re a smaller company with only a handful of employees, you may be in a very different situation (and budget range) than a company with 100 plus employees. Creating a list of wants/needs when it comes to a VoIP phone system can help you control price and optimize functionality. It’s also important to consider your workflow, will you be working from anywhere? or have a more rigid, office-based schedule? What level of security do you need?  It’s also important to ask about cancellation fees, return policies, and usage fees.

Another aspect to consider when making the switch is customer support. Your VoIP is your lifeline to not only clients but the rest of your team as well. There’s no doubt you’ll encounter snags during the setup, configuration, third-party integration, etc. to help make this process as efficient as possible it’s important to have a knowledgeable and accessible individual to help you through that process.

Something to also keep in mind before “cutting the cord” of your traditional business phone is remembering that if you have a bundled package with your current provider that may also be covering your internet and other services that a VoIP provider won’t necessarily cover and this could weigh heavily in your decision and could greatly affect the price.

With Protected Phones, we offer custom-tailored plans with full customization, third-party integrations, unparalleled security, and a dedicated team member to directly design your VoIP phone system with starting at $25/user.

Overall, just make sure you read all the fine print and fully understand the pricing structure of your VoIP provider, especially if you’re a small business, you don’t want to get surprised by hidden fees or other unforeseen surprises. If you’d like a comprehensive breakdown of what six things to keep in mind take a look at 6 Tips to Choose the Right VoIP service.