VoIP Basics: Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Why You Need VoIP for Business

Ready to upgrade your business communications? Learn the basics of VoIP and how it can benefit you.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become increasingly popular in recent years, providing an affordable and efficient communication solution for businesses of all sizes. This technology allows companies to make and receive phone calls over the internet, rather than traditional telephone lines. In this beginner's guide, we will dive into the basics of VoIP and discuss its benefits for small businesses. We will also explore common VoIP terminologies and provide insights on how to build your own VoIP infrastructure.

What is VoIP?

VoIP is a technology that enables voice communication over the internet instead of using traditional phone lines. It converts analog voice signals into digital signals that can be transmitted over the internet. The digital signals are then converted back into analog signals at the receiver's end, allowing the receiver to hear the voice. With VoIP, you can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection, whether it's your office, home, or even a coffee shop.

What Are the Benefits of VoIP for Businesses?

Small businesses can benefit significantly from using VoIP phones. Some of the key benefits include:

1. Cost savings

One of the biggest benefits of using VoIP phones is cost savings. Unlike traditional phone lines, which charge per minute, VoIP phone systems charge a flat rate for unlimited calling. This means that businesses can save a significant amount of money on their phone bills each month. Additionally, VoIP providers offer a range of plans that cater to different business needs and sizes, allowing businesses to choose a plan that best suits their budget.

2. Scalability

Another significant advantage is scalability. As businesses grow, their communication needs change. With traditional phone systems, adding new phone lines can be costly and time-consuming. However, with VoIP, businesses can easily add or remove phone lines as needed without any additional infrastructure costs. This makes it easy for them to scale up or down as needed.

3. Flexibility

VoIP phone systems offer a level of flexibility that traditional phone systems simply can't match. With them, businesses can make and receive calls from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection. This means that employees can work remotely or from different locations without any disruption to their communication.

4. Advanced features

VoIP offers a range of advanced features that are not available with traditional phone lines. They include call forwarding, voicemail to email, video conferencing, call recording and auto-attendant. These features can help small businesses to improve their communication and customer service.

Some Common VoIP terminologies You Should Know

Before we dive into how to build a VoIP infrastructure, it is essential to understand some key terminologies associated with VoIP. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) 

SIP is a protocol used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating real-time sessions involving video, voice, messaging, and other communications applications and services between two or more endpoints on IP networks. In other words, it is a signaling protocol that establishes and manages VoIP calls. SIP is the most common protocol used in VoIP systems. 

2. Codec

Codec stands for Coder-Decoder. Codecs are used to compress and decompress digital voice signals during transmission. Codecs help to reduce the bandwidth required for VoIP calls and ensure high-quality voice transmission.

3. Private Branch Exchange (PBX) 

A PBX is a phone system that is used within a company to handle internal calls. It connects internal phone lines and allows employees to communicate with each other using an extension number. PBX systems are often used in conjunction with VoIP to provide advanced call management features. A VoIP PBX system can be hosted on-site or in the cloud.

4. Gateway

A gateway is a device that is used to connect a VoIP system to a traditional phone system or to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

5. Softphone

A softphone is a software application that is used to make VoIP calls. Softphones can be installed on computers, smartphones, and tablets.

6. Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)

An ATA is a device that connects traditional analog phones to a digital VoIP network. It converts analog signals into digital signals that can be transmitted over the internet.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Own VoIP Infrastructure

To build a VoIP infrastructure, there are several steps that small businesses need to follow:

1. Determine the requirements

The first step is to determine the communication requirements of the business. This includes the number of phone lines, the number of employees, and the call volume.

2. Choose a VoIP provider

Small businesses can choose to host their own VoIP system or to use a hosted VoIP service provider. Using a hosted provider is generally more cost-effective and easier to manage, making it a popular choice for small businesses. These providers offer a range of services, including call management, voicemail, and call recording. 

There are several VoIP providers available, each offering a range of plans and features. Some of the most popular ones are Vonage, RingCentral, and 8x8. When choosing a provider, it is essential to consider factors such as cost, features, reliability, and customer support in order to get the best VoIP for small businesses. It is also a good idea to read reviews and compare plans before making a final decision.

3. Select a PBX system

After choosing a VoIP provider, the next step is to select a PBX system. Small businesses can choose from two types: on-site PBX and cloud-based PBX. On-site PBX requires a physical system to be installed on the premises, while cloud-based PBX is hosted by the VoIP provider.

4. Choose a gateway

If the business needs to connect to the PSTN or traditional phone lines, a gateway will be required. Gateways can be physical devices or software applications.

5. Set up the network

To ensure high-quality VoIP calls, it is important to set up the network correctly. This includes configuring routers, firewalls, and quality of service (QoS) settings.

6. Set up phones

Once the network is set up, the next step is to set up the phones. This includes configuring them to connect to the PBX system and setting up their features. There are several types of VoIP phones available, including desk phones, conference phones, and softphones. 

Desk phones are traditional-looking phones that connect directly to the internet, while conference phones are designed for group calls. Softphones are software-based phones that can be used on a computer or mobile device. In choosing the best VoIP phones for small businesses, it is essential to consider factors such as cost, features, and compatibility with the VoIP provider.

7. Test the system

Before going live, it is important to test the system to ensure that everything is working correctly. This includes testing call quality, call routing, and phone features.

Final Thoughts

VoIP technology is an affordable and reliable way for small businesses to communicate with their customers and clients. With VoIP, small businesses can save money, be more flexible, and access advanced features that are not available with traditional phone lines. By understanding the basics of VoIP and choosing the right provider, phones, and infrastructure, your business can take advantage of all the benefits that VoIP has to offer. So, if you're looking for a cost-effective and flexible phone system for your small business, consider switching to VoIP today.