For small businesses there are many advantages to using a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) solution over a regular phone service. The Internet has enabled communications to advance in leaps and bounds and VoIP is just another way to do this at a lower cost than regular telephone providers. There are also some shortcomings with this technology, but the advantages still outweigh these.

Here are some of the best reasons to consider this emerging technology for your business.

Less expensive: Reduced Costs

For most small businesses the main advantage of VoIP is in cost savings. With it, you are not paying per call for local and inter-office communications. International and long distance calls are also much cheaper as web based switching avoids telephone carriers by using the Internet to transmit calls. Calls to other web communications users are also free which will mean reduced costs for your small business when more people sign up for the service. Some businesses have seen as much as 90 percent in cost savings.

Other Integrated Services

Most providers offer integrated solutions such as video, voicemail, fax, caller ID, call blocking and call waiting with their voice services. VoIP voicemail is probably one of the most useful features as a voicemail message is sent to your email for you to listen to and forward onto relevant coworkers if needed. Advanced features such as E911 for enhanced emergency services, anonymous call blocking and change a phone number are also provided by many internet companies. Many of these services are Internet only and cannot be easily replicated by regular telephone providers.

Supports A Dispersed Workplace

Many of today\'s businesses are spread out and workers are often based remotely. This technology supports this by having no additional cost to talk to colleagues within the office network, regardless of where they may be located.

Scalability

Voice over internet protocol networks and their use of soft switching systems make it easier and less costly to expand your business compared to traditional phone networks.

Cheaper Equipment

For most small businesses, all that is required is a VoIP compatible phone and a broadband connection to set up VoIP in the office. This is much easier and less costly than a regular private branch exchange solution which is not only quite expensive but also rather complex to install.

Roaming Internationally

When traveling abroad you can call your office using voice protocol through a wireless connection rather than a cell phone roaming plan. Global roaming fees can be very costly and you\'ll have much satisfaction in being able to call across the world for next to nothing.

Monitoring and Usage Reporting

Better statistics can be reported on through a VoIP system. If you have a customer support center or need to track in and out bound calls there are many sophisticated reporting tools that can be used with a system like this.

Conferencing

Small businesses do not need to invest in complex conferencing systems when high quality conferencing can be done through a VoIP solution. Internet protocol data transmission allows for better handling of data over the carrier and means that more calls can be handled on one line.

With all its advantages, internet or IP based phone systems are a compelling communications solution for small businesses today.