How VoIP Could Benefit Your SOHO (Small Office, Home Office)

It's hard work running your own businesses. As wellcustomers are in a different part of the country, you
as being an expert in your own right, you also needcan choose a code that's local to them. So when
to handle or oversee all the paperwork, finances,they need to speak to you, they pay only the cost
cash-flow, and record-keeping. One of the best waysof a local call.
to help yourself and your SOHO is to make your5. Online account and record keeping. Free, detailed
phone calls over your existing broadband connection.online records mean that you can check whom you
Find a good VoIP provider, and you can be sure thatcalled, when, and for how long, at any time.
your 'small office, home office' - at least when it6. Choice of packages. When you sign up, you can
comes to telephone calls - runs as smoothly aschoose the package of countries that that suits you
possible.best. Do you just call UK numbers? Or do you need
Here are 10 ways in which Voice over Internetto include European destinations? Perhaps you make
Protocol (VoIP) can most benefit anyone who runs amost of your calls to the US or India? Whatever
SOHO (Small Office, Home Office).your SOHO needs, there will be a package to suit
1. Save money. You're probably aware by now thatyou. And you can change or upgrade whenever you
using VoIP slashes the costs of making telephonewant, as and when your SOHO business grows.
calls. If you've got a cable broadband connection7. Always be contactable. You customers will know
(such as Virgin) you can cancel your cable phone linethey can always get hold of you. Most VoIP
but keep your cable broadband connection. Thisproviders throw in an armful of free features,
means your VoIP phone line becomes your mainincluding many that traditional landline providers would
phone line without the need to pay line rentalcharge for. From call waiting to ring-back, 3-way
anymore. If you're an ADSL broadband customercalling and call forwarding, you can rest assured that
(such as with BT), you can't cancel your phone linethere's everything you need to make sure you offer
without losing your broadband connection. But if youtop-class customer service.
still make a lot of calls, you can still save thanks to8. Unlimited anytime calls. You can call customers back
the unlimited call packages available from VoIPconfident that you can talk for as long as they need
providers.you to, without worrying about the telephone bill. If
2. Cheap second business line. If you decide that youyou offer to call customers back when they ring you,
need a second line, with a second work numberyou will add value and make your business stand out
dedicated to your SOHO business, it's easy to set up.in terms of customer relations.
Whether you're a cable or ADSL broadband9. Call clarity. Your customers won't know you're
customer, you can easily find a VoIP provider andusing a broadband telephone unless you tell them.
start making calls to other landlines or mobiles using10. Easy to set up. If you've got a broadband
your existing broadband set-up.connection and a DECT telephone, all you need to do
3. Predictable monthly bills. VoIP offers unlimited,is find a good VoIP provider and sign up. They'll send
anytime calls to landlines and sometimes, mobiles. Thisyou the adaptor you need to connect your phone to
means that you always know what your bill will be.your broadband (using either your computer or your
No unpleasant surprises, no bill shocks. You canrouter) and you're ready to start making cheap calls
manage your SOHO budget much more smoothly.through the internet.
4. Choice of dialling code. When you sign up to aSo if you run a small business, or you are
VoIP provider, they will usually give you the option ofself-employed and work at home, using broadband to
choosing a dialling code that suits you. If yourmake phone calls makes sound business sense.