How to Understand VoIP Pricing to Choose the Right Vendor
You probably already know about the many benefits of VoIP technology and are now ready to upgrade your old phone system. However, looking at different VoIP solutions might have left you confused due to all the complicatedly priced offerings. If you are struggling to figure out which option is the best, this guide is for you. Here, we will tackle how you can compare different VoIP solutions price-wise to help you understand how much you will pay.
Look at the one-time costs
When paying for any VoIP solution, you will have to cover one-time costs. These costs generally revolve around the setting up of new hardware on your commercial property. While you will only pay for these costs once, you must pay attention to them, especially if you are a smaller business without many financial resources. That said, there are a few one-time costs to look for: hardware costs, porting costs, and setup costs.
Hardware costs refer to the devices you need to facilitate VoIP calls. These can include headsets, phones, and the like. However, if you already have these tools or if the VoIP provider has an app, you may end up paying little to nothing.
Porting costs relate to transferring phone numbers into your new system. Some companies will do this for free, while others will require a fee. Ask your provider to clarify their pricing policy for such.
Finally, setup costs are costs that you incur from first switching to VoIP. Some vendors may charge you for this, while others may roll the cost into other expenses.
Check the monthly costs
After the one-time costs, you will have to pay for monthly expenses to keep your VoIP system running. These costs will revolve around a few factors, such as the cost of calling, the plan itself, and the rates they offer.
Call costs are calculated based on the time you spend to make calls. These are generally calculated by the minute unless you opt for an unlimited plan. To get a good picture of what kind of cost you can expect, first identify your business’s typical calling habits. From there, you can calculate the final number to see which option is the best.
Some vendors offer plans as a bundle of various features. These plans are generally fixed, meaning you will not be able to customize them. However, the cost can vary depending on the number of users.
Finally, you will have to pay for per-user costs. For example, some vendors may charge $30 a month if your business employs twenty people or charge $25 a month if you employ more than that. The numbers will vary from one vendor to another. While you cannot change these numbers, you can compare which vendor offers you an excellent price based on how many employees you have.
Conclusion
While there is a lot to pay attention to when it comes to pricing, taking time to go over these factors will be worth it. By fully understanding how much you will have to pay and what you will get for it, you can quickly identify the best VoIP solution that will satisfy your business’s requirements.
That said, do not hesitate to contact your vendor for more information if you need to. They will be more than happy to give the information you need to make that final purchase decision.
Improcom is a top-rated provider of VoIP phone service for commercial clients. If you are looking for a VoIP provider in New York, contact us today!