VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In plain English, it means making and receiving phone calls over the internet rather than through a traditional phone line. For small businesses, it’s worth considering if you want a professional landline number without the cost and inflexibility of a traditional phone system.
The practical result is a fixed local phone number – a Melbourne 03 number, for example – that rings through to an app on your mobile or desktop. To a caller, it looks and sounds like a standard business landline. On your end, you can answer it from anywhere.
Why small businesses use VoIP
Traditional landlines are becoming less common for small businesses, particularly for sole traders and home-based businesses. The main reasons people switch to VoIP are:
- Cost – VoIP plans are typically much cheaper than traditional landline contracts, with no line rental and low call rates.
- Flexibility – you’re not tied to a physical location. The number follows you, not the desk.
- Professionalism – a local fixed number looks more established than a mobile number on a business card or website.
- Portability – if you move premises, your number moves with you.
What to consider before switching
VoIP relies on a stable internet connection. If your internet is unreliable, call quality will be too. For most Australian small businesses with standard NBN connections, this isn’t a problem – but it’s worth knowing.
You’ll also want to think about what happens to your existing number if you have one. Most VoIP providers support number porting, which means you can keep your current landline number when you switch.
What WebSolutionZ can help with
Setting up VoIP is part of a broader Digital Setup engagement. WebSolutionZ can recommend a suitable provider, set up the service, configure the app on your devices and make sure calls are routing correctly before handover.