Key Factors to Consider When Choosing VoIP Phones
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your business communications or implement VoIP for the first time, selecting the right phones is crucial. The options may seem overwhelming at first, but this comprehensive guide will walk you through the key factors to consider. First, evaluate your business’s unique needs and priorities – do you require advanced features for a call center? Mobility for remote workers? Understanding how you’ll use the phones day-to-day will inform the required functionality. Next, consider your budget constraints – while advanced IP phones offer robust capabilities, more affordable desktop models may suffice for many small businesses. Finally, keep long-term scalability in mind – you’ll want a system that can grow with your business. Follow this advice to match feature sets to your requirements, get the best value, and choose versatile VoIP phones that can adapt as your business evolves.
Top VoIP Phones for Small Businesses
When selecting VoIP phones for your business, there are several key factors to weigh:
– **Intended usage** – Will the phones be for office use, call centers, warehouses, etc.? The environment and required features will help determine the right models.
– **Budget** – VoIP phones span a wide range of prices based on capabilities. Assess how much you can allocate towards equipment.
– **Compatibility** – Ensure any phones you select are compatible with your VoIP system and support necessary features. Consult your provider.
– **Ease of use** – Evaluate phone interfaces and how intuitive they are for users. Complex phones lead to frustration.
– **Call quality** – Sound quality, latency, jitter, and other performance metrics vary. Test phones to ensure acceptable call clarity.
– **Durability** – If deploying phones in demanding settings like warehouses, ruggedized models with reinforced materials are preferable.
– **Expandability** – Consider future needs and select phones that can accommodate add-ons like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi adapters, etc.
By carefully weighing these factors against business requirements and use cases, you can identify the ideal VoIP phones to maximize productivity and telephony experience. Consult with staff and conduct trials before finalizing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About VoIP Phones
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems offer tremendous cost savings and flexibility for small businesses. However, you need phones that are designed to work optimally with VoIP. Here are some top options:
– Polycom VVX 311 – An affordable, no-frills VoIP desk phone with HD sound quality. Reliable and easy to use.
– Yealink T46S – A great midrange VoIP phone with a 4.3” color display, Bluetooth, 16 programmable keys, and support for up to 16 VoIP accounts.
– Cisco IP Phone 8851 – A high-end VoIP phone with a large 5” color touchscreen, Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth, HD video calling, and advanced call handling features. More suited to executive offices.
– Yealink DECT CP930W – A cordless voip phone system with a wireless headset for mobility. Allows you to take calls anywhere within range of the base station.
– Polycom Studio USB Bar – A compact USB speakerphone ideal for huddle rooms and smaller conference spaces, with 360° audio pickup. Plug-and-play.
Carefully evaluate your business needs and budget. Look for phones that offer the call features that are most valuable to your team. With the right VoIP phones, you can optimize communications and productivity.