If you are looking for a phone system for your company or office, you have two choices to pick from: the classic landline phone or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The question is why would you switch to VoIP phone system? According to Forbes, as much as 71% of leads are wasted because of delayed/extended response time. According to research, it takes the majority of businesses almost two days to return a call. A study done by Google revealed that as much as 70% of mobile users click the call feature from their phones whenever they search for a business. According to these statistics, it is clear that having a reliable small office telephone system has to be among businesses top priorities. 

What is VoIP?

VoIP is also known as IP telephony, voice over the network, Internet telephony and Internet calling. No matter what you call it, VoIP utilises your Internet connection to make phone calls. The voice is transmitted as data packets over the internet. IP technology is not exactly new, the first transmission was sent back in the year 1973, even though the technology was far more restricted more than forty years ago. 

As internet technology has evolved and become available universally, so has VoIP technology. Today, business all around the globe are employing it and it is expected to continue to rapidly grow between now and 2021. The change that both businesses and households are making from traditional landlines to VoIP system is mainly because of the features and benefits which it provides. 

How a landline telephone is different from VoIP phone system? 

There are quite a few differences between landline and VoIP, from technological differences, prices, and scalability. 

Below is a list of key difference which can help you better understand landlines vs. VoIP.

• Technology

Both VoIP and landlines use different technologies. While landlines use cables and wires VoIP works by converting the voice signals into digital data packets. These packets then travel through the internet connection to the VoIP service provider and reach the destination. The VoIP service provider then utilises the cloud-based PBX to route the phone calls. From the hosted PBX the call data can be sent to any landline telephone or VoIP phone. Once the call data reaches its destination, it reassembles and then converts back into voice signals. VoIP phone technology is not just new and updated, this a modern way through which businesses communicate with customers around the world. Hence, this wireless technology is here to stay. 

On the technological front VoIP/virtual landline technology takes the lead since it utilises updated technology. As the internet is not going anywhere and neither is the VoIP phone technology. And the landline phone technology has become a thing of the past.

• Cost

In terms of cost, VoIP technology beats the landlines by a landslide. Switching to the VoIP technology can give your business the competitive edge over the competitors that are using the traditional phone systems still. With the potential of a 60% saving, you cannot go wrong with VoIP. Clearly, if you wish to save on costs then you should go with VoIP phone technology. One of the best service providers is VoIP business. They offer the best features at the most reasonable cost. They have three great plans.

• Basic

• 1 User
• £0.00/month
• Up to 3 Users

• Standard

• 1 User
• £7.99/month
• Starts at 3 users
• Premium
• 1 User
• £11.99/month
• Starts at 3 users

VoIP Business UK 

VoIP UK comes with a lot of features which you can’t even think of getting with a traditional landline. As far as features are concerned, the VoIP technology is a clear winner. Portability and mobility are one of the most popular benefits and features from VoIP services. With VoIP, you do not need to be in your office space to receive or make calls. There are several features which can help you manage calls such as. 

• • Call forwarding
  • Auto-attendants
  • Call analytics
  • Call recording
  • Anonymous call rejection
  • Voicemail to text
  • Voicemail to email messaging
  • Business integrations: your VoIP phone can be integrated with numerous third-party tools and software like your sales software, CRM tool, or email marketing software.
  • Softphone capabilities: Basically, with VoIP, you can turn any device of yours into a phone. This includes everything from your mobile device to your laptop or tablet. 

• Scalability: Adding lines does not need extra copper wiring or on-site changes.

• Reliability

Reliability means being trustworthy and performing consistently well. Traditional landlines used to be reliable, however, they are not being invested in anymore. They have with time become somewhat obsolete. On the other hand, VoIP is where the telecommunication sector is investing heavily and is far more reliable in terms of long-term reliability and call connectivity. VoIP phone services have well over 99.99% uptime (time in which the phone system is in operation). Broadband, 4G and now even 5G are there to make your broadband internet connection reliable and stable which leads to improvement in the overall VoIP system. You just have to think about how this can impact your own business. According to statistics businesses which switch to VoIP phone can save up to 32 minutes every day per employee because employees can now reach people on their first try.

Final verdict

So, what will you pick for your business: landlines or VoIP?

VoIP is superior compared to landlines in terms of cost, features, technology, and reliability. Therefore, the VoIP market is expected to expand 10% each year until 2021. You wouldn’t see such a growth opportunity for traditional landlines.