According to the US Small Business Administration, there are over 523,000 small businesses in Missouri. Small businesses account for 99.4% of companies in the state. Company owners often assume that cutting-edge communications technology, including VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), is suitable for large-scale businesses. While it is true that big businesses can take advantage of the features of VOIP, there are several benefits on offer for smaller ventures. If you run a real estate agency, a theater, an attorney office or an insurance business, and you’re looking to take your Branson company to the next level, here is a handy guide to the benefits of hosted VOIP solutions. 

What exactly is VOIP?

Before we discuss the advantages of VOIP for small businesses in Branson, Missouri, it’s beneficial to get to grips with what VOIP is, and how it works. In days gone by, companies relied on analog phone lines to make and receive calls to clients or colleagues. Today, there are alternatives to traditional systems, including VOIP. With VOIP, you can communicate via the Internet. VOIP technology takes sound and transforms it into digital packets, enabling you to receive voice calls, instant messages or video calls through your Internet connection. VOIP is a contemporary alternative to conventional telephone systems, which can benefit Branson businesses of all scales and sizes. 

The beauty of VOIP is that it offers so much more than a standard phone call. When you communicate through this form of technology, you can speak and listen, but you can also use the digital packets you receive to store and share data, to open it with different programs and devices and to collate information with other users. 

What are the benefits of VOIP solutions for small businesses in Branson, MO?

Every small business owner has ambitions. Most commonly, company executives want to improve customer ratings, generate more leads and sales, maximize profits and ensure clients have a positive impression of their brand. VOIP offers a wealth of benefits that align with these key objectives, including:

• Cost savings: balancing the books is one of the most challenging aspects of running a successful small business. Statistics show that 29% of new businesses fail due to financial issues. Small margins count for everything when managing a theater, an insurance agency or a real estate firm, and VOIP can help to save you a substantial amount of money from the outset. If you have multiple offices or a team of people using the phones, the cost of analog calls can soon add up. With VOIP, many service providers offer unlimited local calls, as well as the option to add national and international calls. Maintenance costs are also reduced, and businesses can save on smartphone usage charges, as you can use company smartphones as an extension of your VOIP system. Another critical advantage when monitoring expenses is the ability to conduct video calls and conferences. If you currently pay for employees to travel to meetings in different cities, states or countries, you could lower your expenses bill significantly. 

• Versatility: with an analog phone system, you can make and receive calls. With VOIP, attorneys, theatre and show managers, insurance agents, real estate agents and hotel owners can send messages, emails and texts and make video calls. You have access to a versatile range of communication techniques and channels, and you can share data quickly and easily. From catching up with a colleague to presenting a new product to a client, there’s scope to take advantage of all kinds of interactive features. 

• Remote working: more and more Branson businesses are offering employees more flexible working arrangements. A 2018 global study suggested that around 70% of employees now spend at least one day a week out of the office, and this is a trend that is gathering pace. Using traditional phone systems makes remote working difficult for those who travel, as well as individuals based at home. VOIP systems facilitate seamless, efficient telecommuting, allowing employees to stay in touch and to interact with colleagues, employers and clients through voice calls, video conferencing, fax services and instant messaging. 

• Flexibility: your requirements and objectives can change as your business grows and evolves. With VOIP, you can scale your system up and move around without worrying about causing disruption or inconveniencing your clients or employees. If you relocate to a larger office, for example, your number will move with you. 

• Smart features: hosted VOIP services provide users with access to a raft of features, which are designed to increase efficiency and productivity at the same time as lowering running costs. Examples include voicemail, caller ID and contact lists. The voicemail answering service is particularly beneficial for businesses that have restricted opening hours and seasonal ventures. With VOIP, you won’t miss a call due to your office being closed. You can also benefit from call recording. This is advantageous for businesses that operate according to compliance regulations and for those that deal with customer complaints or disputes. 

• Simplicity: you might assume that it’s tricky to switch your system and embrace new-fangled technology, but actually, it’s incredibly simple. Your existing system will be updated, rather than replaced. 

• Competitive advantage: whether you run a legal firm, an event space, a real estate business or an insurance agency, it’s crucial to be able to compete with rivals. Technology is advancing at lightning speed, and investing in cutting-edge solutions can help you gain an advantage and stand out from the crowd. VOIP lowers costs and improves communication and customer experience. In 2018, 36% of US small businesses used VOIP, and the figures are set to rise significantly in the future. 

Final thoughts: is it time your Branson business invested in hosted VOIP solutions?

If you’re not familiar with hosted VOIP solutions, you could be missing out on the opportunity to take advantage of a host of perks and features that will benefit your business, your employees and your clients. VOIP is a modern-day alternative to traditional telephone systems, which offers versatility, flexibility, efficiency, scalability and the opportunity to lower costs. If you’re keen to get ahead, why not consider investing in VOIP solutions for your Branson, MO business?