What is a VoIP Number?

VoIP is an acronym that stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. A VoIP number is a number that you receive when you start using a VoIP service. It’s basically just like a telephone number that you receive when you sign up for a landline or cellular service.  Your VoIP number is ten digits long just like traditional phone numbers and you can pick your number when you sign up for a VoIP service. Once your VoIP phone or device is connected to the VoIP network via the internet, you can use your VoIP number just like any other phone number you’ve had.

Differences Between A VoIP Number And A Traditional Phone Number

The greatest difference between VoIP numbers and traditional numbers is the technology that is used to allow the calls to be made.  Traditional landline phone numbers are used on copper wires that physically connect to the telephone service provider. Cellular phone numbers are used to make calls on cellular networks that are short-range radio stations that broadcast the signal across a certain geographic area and to other stations.  As we stated earlier, a VoIP number is used on devices that connect to a broadband internet connection.

Traditional phone numbers are assigned to a specific device or location.  In contrast, VoIP numbers are assigned to an account. An individual or business with an account can use their VoIP number anywhere they have a broadband internet connection and a device that can access their VoIP network.

Use Your VoIP Number On Multiple Devices

The great thing about VoIP numbers is that they can be used on many different devices that are connected to the internet. You can use yours on your desktop or laptop computer and even your tablet or smartphone. There are even dedicated VoIP phones with internet connectivity built-in that allow you to use your VoIP number as if you had a dedicated landline connected to your phone. You also can share the same number across multiple devices. So if one day you got a call while working on your desktop computer you could answer it from there. And then the next day if you were using your laptop computer you could make and receive calls through that. We partner with the best VoIP and internet companies in the area and country including Nextiva, Verizon, ATT, and more. 

Extreme Flexibility

Flexibility is a huge benefit of a VoIP number. Since VoIP allows you to use your number anywhere you have an internet connection, you can work from almost anywhere. This also allows your employees to work from anywhere. This includes working from home! Plus, as we’ve already mentioned, members of your team can switch devices depending on their needs at that time. This is especially helpful for team members that might go out and work in the field and then return to the office. 

This flexibility is also great for companies that want to employ teammates in different locations than where the headquarters are located.  In reality, customer service personnel can be located anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection.  A VoIP number gives you the ultimate flexibility you need to meet your own specific needs. Nextiva is a great option for VoIP and internet services. 

Choose Your Area Code

Another great benefit of a VoIP number is that you can choose the area code that you want with your number.  The area code is not attached to your specific location, so if you wanted your VoIP number to be from a different area you could select that area code for the location that you wanted. This is a great option for your business if you are looking to expand where your services are offered. It can give your business a local feel for your clientele even though you may not be physically located in that area.

Port Your Existing Number

VoIP numbers can also be ported in from your existing telephone service. This means that you can use your existing telephone number and move it over to your VoIP service when you sign up. You will not have to face a long period of downtime in your business so you can maximize productivity for you and your team.

Get A Toll-Free And/Or Vanity Number

Some businesses may want to use a toll-free number for their telephone services.  In the past, this was usually done with large corporations that had larger budgets. But with a VoIP account, you can use a toll-free number as your VoIP number. This allows smaller and medium-sized businesses to give the most professional entrance possible into their services.  A toll-free number also allows a business to remove themselves from a specific geographic area and put themselves on a national stage.

Vanity numbers can also be used for a VoIP number.  You can select an available number that makes it easy for your customers to remember your phone number and thus easier to call and do business with you.

Lower Your Costs With VoIP

Another great benefit of using a VoIP number is that you can lower your telephone costs.  Since most businesses today are already paying for broadband internet service, adding a VoIP account can be a minimal cost compared to a traditional landline.  This especially becomes true when using multiple lines for different locations in a business.

Oftentimes businesses will use devices that they already have purchased, such as a computer or cell phone.  Because of this, there are usually no other costs for equipment purchases for telephone services.  The savings can become quite large for a business with a multi-line setup.

Enterprise Level Features

Even though signing up for a VoIP number can be cheaper than a traditional landline you don’t lose out on the amazing enterprise features business of all sizes can use.  Some of these features include ACD (Automatic Call Distribution) Queues, call recording, voicemail, conferencing, instant messaging, and music on hold.  These features give even the smallest business the ability to manage enterprise-level features at a fraction of the cost and much greater ease.

Cons Of A VoIP Number

There are a few considerations to think about when using a VoIP service and number.  The main one is that you need a stable broadband internet connection to be able to get quality phone calls across a VoIP network. If the internet were to go down, this could keep you from being able to use your phone service. If you need a solid internet data plan, we can help you with that. 

You also need power for your VoIP device to work.  Just like the internet, if you were to lose power you could not use your VoIP number without the help of backup power to your device that you are using on the VoIP network.

In today’s world, neither of these are major hurdles and so a lot of businesses are making the switch to VoIP services and enjoying all of the benefits that come with it.  You can make the switch too by giving us a call today!

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