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Many micro businesses are tossing their old telephone system into the waste basket and replacing them with a hosted VoIP service. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) offers the phone system solutions that business owners are looking for. Not only can switching to VoIP lower your monthly telephone bills, but the features available are vast. They include automated answering and call transfer to anywhere, connecting multiple office locations, transcribing voice messages into email attachments and much more. Whatever your reason is for investigating and choosing a hosted PBX or hosted VoIP phone system, be warned that not all providers are the same. Below is a list of the top five mistakes people make when choosing a hosted VoIP provider: 1. Choosing a service provider that is new to the industry. Although hosted VoIP is new to many people it is not new to the telecommunications industry. Skype and MSN chat both use a VoIP technology and have been operating for years. As you seek out a business VoIP provider, take into consideration how long the VoIP service has been in business. It may be a good indication of how knowledgeable they area about their product. 2. Having an internet connection that is too slow. In order to work well, hosted VoIP service needs to operate on a high-speed internet connection. According to a recent poll of VoIP reviews, about 60% of the problems new hosted VoIP users experience is reflected in the fact that their internet connection is much too slow. A slow, unreliable or unstable internet connection can distort voices and drop a call. This can be devastating to your call center or small business. 3. Lacking a clear understanding of the phone calling plan. Inexpensive prices can be very attractive to a new hosted VoIP user, but they often conceal hidden penalties and fees. Unlimited calling plans commonly only include what is in the provider's small network. Off network usage can sometimes cost you as much as $.065 per minute. Therefore, it is important for you to find a hosted VoIP provider who can give you an unlimited calling plan for both local and domestic long distance calls. 4. Not knowing the system features you need. Different hosted VoIP service providers can offer different phone system features and solutions. It is a good idea to talk with your employees, clients and customers to determine what your exact needs are. Then carefully explain these needs to your hosted VoIP service provider and ask questions about what your options are. It is the best way to make sure you get a hosted VoIP service plan that is right for you. 5. Neglecting to read your agreement. Many hosted VoIP service providers offer very low installation charges, only to lock you into a lengthy contract nearly impossible to get out of. Changing or cancelling these contracts can be difficult and expensive. Make sure you read the fine print and if possible leave yourself room to get out of an agreement that might make you unhappy. When chosen carefully, hosted VoIP services can give your business lower phone bills and reduced overhead costs. It can also lend a sophisticated and professional polish to the way you do business. You want to choose hosted VoIP that will work well for your employees and your customers. 1. Choosing a service provider that is new to the industry. Although hosted VoIP is new to many people it is not new to the telecommunications industry. Skype and MSN chat both.... Learn more at http://www.getjive.com/hosted-voip/hosted-voip/ and http://www.youtube.com/jivecommunications
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