What is a VoIP Number, And How To Get One For Your Business?

Firstly, VoIP, or voice over IP, is a technology that allows you to make and take phone calls using the internet. VoIP numbers are the exact same as any other phone number. However, instead of using traditional landlines for calling, they use the internet. By using the internet for communication and calling, you will be able to take advantage of a number of benefits that a basic landline can’t offer.

Traditional business phone systems are called PBX phone systems, where PBX stands for 'private branch exchange'. It is a company or organization’s private phone network. With this type of system, telephone numbers are connected to a physical landline.

In this scenario, if you want to make outbound calls using your business phone number, you need to physically be in the office. Inbound calls on the other hand, can be forwarded to a cell phone so you don’t need to be in the office to receive calls. However, configuring this setting can be cumbersome and difficult to set up without specialized technical support.

In contrast, with a VoIP phone system, phone numbers are assigned to specific users. And because VoIP uses the internet, employees can use their business number to easily make inbound and outbound calls from anywhere with an internet connection. They are able to connect on various devices, such as a computer, smartphone or other mobile device. VoIP phone systems come with a host of features, including call forwarding, that can conveniently be set up and configured within a user portal.

Related: Traditional PBX vs Hosted PBX — What’s The Difference?

When you make a call, VoIP technology turns your audio into digital data. The digital data is compressed into packs that travel over the internet to your VoIP provider, and the connection is made. When the person you’re calling answers, the digital data is switched back into audio.

While this technology may seem a bit complicated, everything is incredibly straightforward from the user’s perspective. Once you’ve signed up with your VoIP service provider, you only have to connect your VoIP-enabled devices like your desk phone, computer or mobile to your internet. You can then begin to use your VoIP number.

When you sign up with a VoIP service provider, you’ll be assigned a VoIP phone number. If you want to use a VoIP number for your business, you should go with a business VoIP provider who can provide you with reliable service and business-grade features. It’s also important to note, that not every VoIP provider will give out a single phone number if that’s what you require. In addition to this, keep in mind that not all phone providers are VoIP providers.

The following steps will guide you through the process of getting a business VoIP number:

(1) Evaluate VoIP Service Provider:

• Take into account the company's security, reliability, level of customer service, features, and ease of use.

(2) Select Provider and Plan:

• Select the right plan for your business. net2phone’s UcaaS platform combines VoIP phone service with other communication features like messaging, videoconferencing, fax and integrations. These options come in a variety of pricing plans and custom options to best meet your needs.

(3)Get a VoIP phone number:

• Choose new phone numbers or transfer your existing phone numbers. You can also add toll-free numbers to your plan.

(4)Get set up with your VoIP phone system:

• Configure your VoIP number and devices and begin making and taking calls. net2phone Canada provides dedicated onboarding to help get you started smoothly.

Related: The Step by Step Guide to Choosing a Business Phone Solution

You may already have a business phone number that customers know and contact you at. In this case, you can port your phone number to your new VoIP service provider.

Porting means you can take your phone number to another provider. This gives you the flexibility to choose a provider and service that meets your needs, without the risk of losing your phone number.

First, you’ll need to verify that your business phone number can be ported, which you can check with net2phone Canada’s number availability tool.

Using this tool, you can also check if a particular number, such as a vanity number, is available. For example, if you’re running a business that caters to pets, having a number like (613)-YOW-WOOF can be memorable.

Porting your phone number will be handled by both your previous and new service providers.

Cost Savings

If you have an on-premise phone system, you already know the costs around it can be significant. The costs are ongoing for maintenance, new desk phones or hardware, updates and the securing of your hardware.

In contrast, VoIP phone systems do not require the same upfront or maintenance costs. In most cases, the VoIP provider will own all the infrastructure the customers need to run the phone system, so businesses don't have to incur these costs. Upfront costs for an on premise system could run in the tens of thousands, and this is before any maintenance upgrades!

With VoIP, maintenance and upgrades are handled for you. And you’re likely already using the internet, so you need only to select a plan, provider and get started.

Related: VoIP vs Landline: A Cost Analysis Breakdown

Predictable Expenses

VoIP phone plans are typically billed on a subscription basis, so you’ll know exactly how much you pay for your phone bill every month. With VoIP, a subscription includes fees associated with maintenance, customer service and upgrades. You can better budget for your communication expenses and avoid the headache of unexpected costs.

Work From Multiple Devices

With a traditional landline phone system and landline phone number, you are limited to a physical location to make and receive calls. With a VoIP number, you can use one phone number on multiple devices. Simply connect using your VoIP-enabled desk phone, desktop computer, tablet, laptop or mobile from wherever you are.

Work From Anywhere

Do you have employees that travel frequently, or work in the field every day? A VoIP phone system and number allows for greater mobility. With an internet-enabled device, your organization's employees can work from virtually anywhere. Now your employees can access all phone systems features and continue working as if they were in the office, creating a far more efficient and productive workforce.

Global Presence

If you have clients and offices set up in different locations, you can get VoIP numbers with the area code of that location. As most people prefer to call a local number, this allows you to tap into new geographical markets and serve clients while avoiding long-distance charges. Unlike a traditional phone system, where your phone number would have to be associated with the area code of your province and city, VoIP numbers give you the flexibility to choose the area code and expand your global presence.

Toll-Free Phone Numbers

Having a toll-free phone number is an excellent way to boost customer service and satisfaction. You want to make it easy for customers and prospects to call you, and the toll-free numbers allow your customers and prospects to contact you and get their inquiries answered free of charge. Toll-free numbers aren’t reserved for large organizations; small businesses can also benefit from this feature to add a layer of credibility and professionalism to their operations.

Easy to Add New Numbers

Finally, as your business continues to expand, you will need more phone numbers for your growing team. A traditional phone system may not be able to handle more lines, and it can be costly to upgrade. With VoIP, it’s incredibly quick and easy to add new phone numbers for users.

Before you get set up with your VoIP phone number, it's important to choose the best VoIP service provider for your business. Consider the following when making your choice:

• Security and Reliability

  • Your data is protected as we host your data strictly in Canadian data centers. With multiple data centers across the country to provide redundancy and failover, we ensure that your phone system is up and running when needed. Net2phone Canada’s uptime record is 99.95%.

• Excellent Customer Support

  • Our support agents are all based in Canada and have an average answer speed of less than 60 seconds! We don’t keep you unnecessarily on hold and help resolve your questions quickly so you can get back to what’s most important.

• Getting Started is Easy

  • Getting set up with a new business phone system doesn’t need to be lengthy and overwhelming. Once you sign up, we take a tailored approach to onboarding. We’ll help familiarize you with the technology and configure your system to meet the unique requirements of your business.