How To Choose a VoIP Services Provider

Things to Consider While Searching for a VoIP Services Provider

Today's VoIP services market has a lot to offer. Many VoIP services providers offer low prices, lots of calling features, unlimited calling and more to attract customers. People thinking of signing up for VoIP services should have a basic understanding of VoIP and the offers of several VoIP providers. Keep reading below to see a Vonage vs Verizon vs other competitors breakdown of price and features.

We have selected six critical areas to examine in your pursuit of a VoIP services company. The following criteria will give you a good idea of what services and features are most important in your decision of which VoIP service provider to sign up with:

• Variety of Plans
• Features Included With Plan
• Additional Features
• Ease of Setup and Use
• Customer Service and Technical Support
• Compatibility of Hardware

Variety of VoIP Plans

A VoIP services provider with a variety of plans means you have a good opportunity of finding a plan that best fits your needs. Also, if you outgrow your plan or your needs change, make sure the provider makes switching or upgrading to a different plan simple and straightforward.

There are usually two types of calling plans, basic and advanced, or they can be domestic and international. Basic calling plans typically have a set amount of minutes in the plan, like 400 or 800, while premium calling plans allow for unlimited calling (monitored for abnormal usage) for the set monthly price. Or, a basic plan can include unlimited domestic minutes, while an advanced plan may include unlimited international minutes, to some countries. If you are signing up with a VoIP services provider with a basic or minutes based plan, but sure to find out the cost for additional minutes, should you exceed your monthly limit it's important to know what to expect you'll pay for those extra minutes. If you're new to VoIP or want to try out a particular company, see if they offer VoIP services with a free trial or low introductory rate.

Features Included With Calling Plans

Closely compare the features provided included in plans by various VoIP services providers. Make sure you understand which features are provided and included in the plan you're looking at. You will want to understand which features are included and which features require additional cost. Some of the features to look for include: caller id, call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, three-way calling and call blocking. Additional features may cost users to have and use. Advanced features, that some VoIP services providers charge for, include: minute-less in-network calling, enhanced voicemail features and more. Vonage offers 20+ features with their plans in addition to exclusive features such as the Vonage® Extensions® App software or Vonage Virtual Number. The Vonage® Extensions® App is an app that you can install onto your smartphone. Here is more about all Vonage features.

Additional Features and Add-ons

Depending on what you need and want from your VoIP services provider, check to see what additional features and expansions are available. For instance, what is the cost to add a line, use a PC softphone, obtaining a dedicated line for faxing, getting a virtual number or 800 number and more. Check the costs of these services and add-ons as prices and costs may vary greatly from provider to provider.

Ease of Setup and Use

Check to see if the VoIP services provider you're considering has a reputation of being easy to setup and use. This can save a lot of time and frustration if you have difficulty setting up your VoIP system or having poor VoIP service because of improper installation or setup. You can research VoIP in consumer products review publications such as PC Magazine and Consumer Reports for installation comparisons.

Customer Service and Technical Support

Find out the available customer service and tech support from the VoIP services providers you're looking at. Things to look for are: good customer service, good tech support and availability of support. Also, the quality of customer service, friendliness and helpfulness with addressing your issues and correcting any problems you're having.

Compatibility of Hardware

VoIP services require hardware to connect your phone to the Internet, check to make sure that the hardware(adapter) is compatible with your Internet connection and phone. Compatibility can often become an issue when you use third party hardware manufacturers with your VoIP services provider. Most VoIP services providers have their own hardware they offer, but there are many companies that make third-party hardware and adapters but don't themselves offer VoIP services. If you're getting third party hardware just check with your VoIP services provider to ensure the hardware is compatible with their service.

Vonage Advantage

Vonage offers a variety of calling plans. Vonage residential plans are available with both basic and premium plans. Vonage World plans are also available with basic and premium calling plans as part of their VoIP services. Make cheap international phone calls with low Vonage rates. When comparing Vonage vs other competitors, a Vonage plan offers many benefits over its competitors (subject to individual cases). Make local and long distance calls, make cheap international phone calls and get 20+ features, all included with a Vonage plan.