Category: Sales Technology

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP technology, allows you to make and receive calls over the internet. Although the technology has been around for some time, VoIP has never been as popular in the business world as it is today.

The VoIP global market size was just over $30bn in 2020. According to a VoIP industry analysis by Global Market Insights, the global VoIP market is projected to hit $95bn by 2027 as more and more SMBs move toward this technology. If you’re thinking about getting a VoIP number for your business, here’s all you need to know about what it is, how it works, and where to get one. 

What is a VoIP Number?

A VoIP number appears and functions just like a regular 10-digit telephone number. The primary difference is the mode of transmission. While traditional landline numbers use a network of telephone lines, VoIP uses the internet to place calls. 

When you use a VoIP number to call someone, it appears like any other phone number to the receiver. This means they won’t be able to tell the call isn’t coming from an actual landline. 

Unlike traditional phone numbers, a VoIP number isn’t assigned to a specific device, location, or phone line. Instead, it’s assigned to a person. This person can use their VoIP phone number to place a call from anywhere as long as they have an internet-enabled device. 

Since Voice over Internet Protocol isn’t location-specific, you can get the area code of your choice. This saves long-distance fees for callers. Getting a VoIP number is recommended for companies operating across the US.

How Does a VoIP Phone Number Work?

As mentioned above, VoIP technology works over the internet. It doesn’t need copper wire telephone lines to facilitate communication. 

Landline numbers use analog signals to transmit voice. When you place a call with a VoIP number, your voice and data are converted into digital signals before they’re transmitted over the internet. If you call a regular landline, the digital signals are converted back into analog before they reach the receiver. 

Using this technology, you can make and receive calls on your virtual number no matter where you are. All you need is an internet connection and an internet-enabled device such as a smartphone, computer, or tablet. Apart from voice calls, VoIP also supports text messaging and video calls if the receiver is using VoIP too. 

Different Ways for Using a VoIP Number

You can make VoIP calls using three different methods. These include using an analog telephone adaptor, using an IP phone, or availing of the services of a VoIP caller.

Use an Analog Telephone Adapter on a Regular Phone

This method lets you use VoIP technology without fully switching from traditional to VoIP. Plug an Analog Telephone Adaptor into your traditional landline phone to connect it to the internet. 

Use an IP Phone

Alternatively, you can get an IP phone. This is just like a standard telephone, but it comes with Ethernet ports to connect it with an internet router. These phones have built-in hardware and software to make and receive VoIP calls.

Use a VoIP Service Provider

If you want to make VoIP calls, signing up with a VoIP service provider, also known as a VoIP caller, is by far the most convenient and cost-effective solution. All you need to do is sign up, download and install the software, and start making Voice over IP calls from your computer or mobile phone. 

If you go for a VoIP service, you don’t need to get any extra hardware as long as you’ve got functional speakers and a microphone. Let’s discover more about how to get a VoIP number from a service provider. 

How to Get a VoIP Phone Number?

The easiest way to get a VoIP number is from a quality VoIP provider. The process is fairly simple. All you need to do is sign up with a service provider, and it’ll guide you through the rest of the steps until you’re ready to make and receive VoIP calls. Still, here’s an overview of what you should expect when you go with a VoIP phone number service.

Step 1: Choose a VoIP Service Provider

Before you get a number, we advise you to research a suitable provider that offers affordable plans and suits your business’s needs. Unfortunately, the VoIP industry is rife with scams, making it all the more important to pick the right service provider. 
There are hundreds of VoIP services out there, each with unique pricing and features. We’ve reviewed some of the best VoIP service providers that you can use to get a VoIP phone number. Go through our top picks to make your choice easier.

RingCentral

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Offering high-end features at an affordable price, RingCentral is indeed the leader in the VoIP market. It’s a good choice for businesses of all sizes as it offers a variety of plans that address different needs. Its most popular plan type, RingCentral MVP which includes messaging, video, and phone gives you unlimited calls in the US and Canada, unlimited SMS, voicemail transcription, and team messaging.

You can get top-tier features such as toll-free numbers, voicemail capabilities, and a mobile app even with the most basic plan that starts at $19.99/user/mo. RingCentral isn’t the cheapest VoIP service out there, but it’s worth the price tag. A word of advice, you might face a slight learning curve when starting with this service. To learn more about RingCentral’s features, read our complete RingCentral review.

• Unlimited calls within the US and Canada
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Built-in team messaging and document sharing

• International calling costs extra
• Overcomplicated for new users
• A little expensive

Pricing

• RingCentral MVP Essentials: $19.99/user/mo.
• RingCentral MVP Standard: $27.99/user/mo.
• RingCentral MVP Premium: $34.99/user/mo.
• RingCentral MVP Ultimate: $49.99/user/mo.

Nextiva

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If you’re looking for a productivity-focused communication system, Nextiva can be a great choice for you. It comes with an abundance of features, however, the vast majority of them are locked in the more expensive plans. Still, the most basic plan gives you unlimited voice and video calling, single-level auto-attendant, internet fax, toll-free numbers, voicemail, and integrations with Outlook and Google Contacts.

Nextiva doesn’t place any user restrictions so you can have as many users as you want even with the starter plan. Advanced plans offer a productivity suite that includes an internal communication system, screen sharing, private group messaging, a team calendar, and a voting system. To learn more about Nextiva’s features, read our complete Nextiva review.

• Unlimited calling within US and Canada
• Mobile app to stay connected from anywhere
• Customizable auto-attendant

• Call recording is limited to higher-tier plans
• Mobile SMS messaging is not available on the cheapest plan
• Pricing can get a bit complicated

Pricing

Nextiva’s pricing structure is a bit complex. The average prices go down if you purchase a plan for more users. Here’s what you can expect the different plans to cost for users as less as 1-4 to 100+.

• Essential: $17.95 to 23.95/user/mo.
• Professional: $21.95 to 27.95/user/mo.
• Enterprise: $31.95 to 37.95/user/mo.

Ooma Office

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If you want a mobile VoIP solution for remote work and traveling employees, Ooma Office offers what you need. It’s one of the more affordable VoIP services and it isn’t short on features either. A toll-free number, SMS, call logs, virtual fax, and multi-extension dialing are included in even the most basic plan. But a potential drawback is that Ooma’s desktop app isn’t included in it.

According to our in-depth Ooma Office review, what sets it apart is that each user gets a unique direct-dial number instead of an extension. This makes you look more professional as a business and also makes it easier for customers to reach your employees.

• Desktop and mobile app
• Unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
• Direct-dial numbers for each user

• Desktop app is limited to the Pro plan
• CRM and productivity integrations are not available on the base plan
• Pricing isn’t transparent

Pricing

Getting to the Ooma Office pricing page takes some searching, but we’ve already found out the plans Ooma offers and what they cost. It has two price points that vary significantly in features. 

• Ooma Office: $19.95 /user/mo. – one-time activation fee, for 1 user: $29.95
• Ooma Office Pro: $24.95 /user/mo. – one-time activation fee, for 1 user: $29.95

Step 2: Select a VoIP Plan

Different service providers offer different plans. Choose the one that suits your needs best and fits your budget. Remember that not all service providers offer the same kind of plans. So choose your service provider in accordance with your business type, size, and VoIP needs. 

Step 3: Get a VoIP Number 

Your VoIP service provider will have an interface that facilitates selecting and purchasing a VoIP number. This is a fairly straightforward process but may vary between services. Most providers let you choose your area code to make it easier for customers from a specific area to contact you. 

That said, you can also choose to port your existing telephone number to VoIP. To do so, you’d have to contact your previous phone provider to transfer it. This may take a few business days. 

Step 4: Complete Setup

Once you have your VoIP phone number, all you need to do is set up the hardware and software to start making calls over the internet. The cheapest and most convenient way to go about this is simply to use your computer and mobile phones for VoIP calls. If you want to connect office phones to the system, you might need to buy some additional hardware. 

Benefits of Using a VoIP Number

Businesses all over the world are switching to VoIP technology and for good reason. VoIP numbers come with a range of benefits that can help take your business ahead. They not only save you time and money but also give your company a more professional image. Here’s what getting a VoIP number does for you.

Saves Money

Businesses can reduce their telecom costs by 50% if they switch to VoIP. This is primarily because VoIP uses the internet to transmit data. Not just that, but you also get additional features like auto-attendant, intelligent call forwarding, call queue management, and video calling with a quality VoIP service. 

Offers Flexibility

The flexibility you get with a VoIP phone number is one of its biggest advantages. A VoIP number can be used on multiple devices at the same time, giving you the mobility and convenience traditional landline systems can’t. 

Offers Scalability

As your business grows, you’d want your communication system to grow along. However, this is not easy with standard phone systems. You need additional phone lines and hardware to scale. 

VoIP lets you scale with ease. You can add as many users as your bandwidth allows, and this is more than enough for most growing businesses. As VoIP services are cloud-based, adding more numbers is pretty easy. 

Offers Remote Access

A VoIP number is not assigned to a phone line. This means you can use your number no matter where you are as long as you’ve got internet. With the best VoIP apps, you can have your business number in your pocket at all times. 

Gives You Choice of Area Codes

Unlike traditional phone numbers, you can freely choose your area code with a VoIP service. You don’t have to be in a state to use its area code for your business phone number. Being able to choose your area code makes it easy for you to target customers from a particular area, and it also establishes your credibility as a local business. 

So What Is a VoIP Number?

A VoIP number is a virtual phone number that lets you make calls over the internet. It looks and functions just like a regular number, but doesn’t need any phone lines to operate. The best way to get a VoIP phone number is to sign up with a service provider. 

Quality VoIP services like RingCentral, Nextiva, and Ooma Office give you a wide variety of features to facilitate communication between you, your employees, and customers. Plus, VoIP technology offers several benefits including low costs, flexibility, scalability, remote access, and the ability to choose the area code of your choice.

Keeping accurate real-time sales records, managing inventory, and tracking customer information can be difficult when you’re processing transactions manually. Fortunately, you can use a POS system to streamline these tasks and gather important sales data.

What is a POS system, and why do most small businesses have one in place? A point of sale system includes hardware and software that business owners and staff use to process transactions and payments at checkout. After a customer selects a product in a store or receives a service, they need to pay for it, and this is where a POS system comes in.

How Does a POS System Work?

A POS system records product details of the purchased item, tracks its details, and provides order feedback. This feedback is typically in the form of the total cost of the order to the customer and sales reports to the store owner.

To serve both customer and owner, a system includes software and different types of hardware to get the job done. These include barcode scanners, cash drawers, and computer monitors.

POS Hardware

For a POS system to work, you’ll need the right software and pieces of hardware at the checkout counter. The point of sale hardware market in the U.S. is projected to be worth $9.54 billion by 2025, indicating an increase in use at retail locations. Common hardware that small businesses use to set up a POS include:

POS Terminal

The primary hardware of a sales POS system is the terminal. The terminal is the device where you install the POS software. It can be a desktop computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. You’ll have to connect all other pieces of hardware to the terminal to complete your POS setup.

Monitor/Display

The monitor shows transaction details when you use the various POS hardware. In most retail stores, the display used is a desktop computer. Many small businesses also use smartphones or tablets.

Barcode Scanner

Retail staff use a barcode scanner to capture details about the product on sale. It reveals the price, special discounts, and tax charges on the product.

Card Reader

Modern POS systems include a card reader that allows customers to make payments using credit or debit cards. Credit card reader providers typically charge a monthly maintenance charge and may also charge per-transaction fees.

To use a card reader as part of your retail POS, you’ll need to connect it with your POS software. When you swipe a card through the reader, the POS terminal transmits the card data for approval. If the customer’s bank approves the transaction, you’ll receive authorization to complete the sale.

Receipt Printer

A receipt printer prints out sale receipts after the transaction is done. A receipt is given to customers as a record of the sale, and it also helps businesses keep track of product performance and inventory levels. Receipts also record details such as sales tax, method of payment, and the time and date of the sale. For some business owners, digital receipts will suffice, so a printer may be unnecessary.

Cash Register

A POS system calculates and registers cash transactions using a cash register. Cash registers are often attached to a cash drawer beneath, used for storing cash from payments. Cash registers aid in inventory management and financial reporting when paired with barcode scanners, card terminals, and receipt printers.

Types of POS Systems

There are several types of retail POS systems, each suitable for various businesses. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with all types to identify the one that’s right for your small business.

Here are the main types of POS systems:

Server POS System

A server retail POS system is one where the data gathered is stored on-premise at the business. This type typically comes with the highest setup costs and monthly maintenance fees. When you have a traditional server system, you’ll need to be on location to utilize it. To create a server POS system, you’ll need to buy hardware from various providers.

Cloud-Based POS System

With cloud-based systems, sales data is stored on the internet instead of an on-location server. Once you’ve installed your chosen POS software into your hardware, you’ll have access to your data as long as you have an internet connection.

Cloud-based POS software works with physical and online stores, unlike the server system that only serves a physical retail store. With e-commerce sales growing each year, introducing cloud-based POS systems into your business can boost growth significantly.

A good example here is the Clover POS system is a popular cloud-based system that allows businesses to complete transactions online.

Hybrid POS System

A hybrid system incorporates features from both on-premise and cloud-based systems. It’s an ideal option if you’d like to have the best of both sides. Hybrid point of sale systems are good for businesses with both physical and online stores. The Lightspeed POS system is an example of a hybrid system that utilizes both on-location and online features.

Mobile POS System

Mobile POS systems use a device such as an Android tablet or iPad as the point of sale. This system typically involves only two pieces of hardware: a smartphone or tablet and a credit card reader.

You can bring POS mobile devices to your pop-up shops, trade shows, and other events outside your physical store. A mobile sale POS system also comes in handy at physical stores to reduce customer queues and speed up checkout. An example is the Square POS system, which you can use on your mobile device without requiring additional hardware.

Features of a POS System

Most POS systems offer the same basic features, while others, such as restaurant POS systems, include additional specialized tools. The following are the features you’ll find in most POS systems for retail businesses:

• Checkout
• Payment processing
• Inventory management
• Reporting and analytics
• Employee management
• Customer relationship management
• Multichannel sales

Checkout

Checkout tools are the primary basis of a POS system; hence, this is a feature you’ll find on all point of sale systems. With checkout features, you can easily ring up customer purchases to find out their worth.

Payment Processing

Payment processing is another basic feature found on all POS systems. A POS system allows various payment methods, from credit and debit cards to cash.

To use these, you’ll need additional hardware such as a card reader or cash register to process sales. For online ordering, you’ll need POS software that enables digital payments.

Inventory Management

When you ring up a sale, POS software brings up so much more than price information. It also shows crucial information about inventory levels. You can easily tell when a product needs restocking with the inventory management feature.

Reporting and Analytics

Retail point of sale software draws various insights from daily sales data. You can identify products that sell the best, those that take long to clear, and identify intervals with the most sales using POS data. With this data, you can plan everything from restocking to marketing campaigns.

Employee Management

Most POS systems come with an employee management feature to aid staff scheduling and tracking. With this feature, you can track what each staff member is doing at any moment, how many hours they worked, and set permissions for each of them. This feature also helps prevent losses due to staff fraud, such as after-sale transaction modification.

Customer Relationship Management

A customer relationship management (CRM) tool gathers important data about items bought, the amount spent, customer contact information, payment methods, and returns. It gives you important insight on what products a certain customer is interested in, their spending limits, and how often they shop.

With this information, you can create more targeted marketing campaigns that target each customer’s tastes. With the collected data, you can also enroll them in loyalty programs and easily provide solutions in case of return or exchange requests.

You can get more from your POS customer relationship management tool by integrating it with your VoIP caller phone system. This gives staff direct access to customer data when they have queries or complaints. You’ll need the best VoIP app for your business to benefit from this integration.

Multichannel Sales

Does your retail business have multiple locations serving as points of sale? Perhaps you have an online store and also sell in brick-and-mortar stores and mobile locations. A point of sale with a centralized multichannel sales feature consolidates all of your sales data from each POS into one place, making it easy to keep track and gather insights.

How To Choose a POS System for Your Small Business

What type of POS system is convenient for you, and which features does your business need? Asking these questions will help you find the best POS system for your business. Here are factors to keep in mind when choosing a POS system for your small business:

Hardware

Each type of POS system has hardware requirements you must meet to get it working. With an on-premise system, you’ll have to purchase or rent multiple pieces of hardware, including a display, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and card reader. If you want to go with a cloud-based system, you may only need a mobile device and a card reader.

Ease of Use

A good POS system should be easy to use, both for you and for your customers who are checking out by themselves online. An easy-to-use system streamlines checkout activities and saves time for everyone involved.

Features

Besides checkout and payment processing, what other features would you like to have on your point of sale system? Some of the vital features to look out for include inventory management, analytics and reporting, and customer relationship management. With these features, you not only speed up checkout but also keep an eye on your inventory and make informed marketing decisions.

Credit card processing software is also a crucial feature for businesses today. This is due to the rising preference for credit card payments among consumers, which the Federal Reserve reported to total $97.04 trillion in 2019.

Scalability

Choosing a point of sale system that will scale with your business is advisable. Otherwise, if your system is unable to keep up with a growing business, you might end up losing customers due to an unsatisfactory shopping experience.

For example, you might not be able to take payments quickly at checkout leading to long queues in your store. It  might also be difficult to keep track of all your customers. This means that loyalty programs might be difficult to implement.

As your business grows, you’ll need more elaborate and specialized features to make the most of your POS data. If your system cannot keep up, it’ll be challenging to get the insights you need to improve or plan your business operations. Opt for a system that scales with your business to avoid hiccups and save you from spending money on new hardware or software each time your needs change.

Reviews

Before purchasing a POS system, check what other business owners say about it. Reviews will give you a good idea of how the system works and performs.

Note that what works for one store won’t necessarily suit you because the type of business determines the ideal software. For instance, if you own a restaurant, you’ll be better off checking reviews for the best restaurant POS systems rather than checking feedback from general retail store owners.

Customer Support

It’s wise to choose a POS system from a provider with good customer support. In case you run into any problems with your system during business hours, you should be able to reach them instantly for assistance. This will prevent delays caused by a problematic system.

Benefits of a POS System

The right POS system can bring several benefits to your business. These include:

• Time savings
• Improved customer experience
• Important insights
• Increased accuracy
• Multiple payment methods

Time Savings

A point of sale system saves a lot of time during the checkout process. You can check product details within moments, process payments, and gather important customer information. This takes a much shorter time than if you were checking products manually.

Improved Customer Experience

Thanks to cloud-based POS systems, customers can shop from an online store without requiring assistance from an in-store employee. They can also purchase items on the go without joining long checkout queues.

Important Insights

Using a POS system leaves you with a lot of useful data you can use in marketing, inventory planning, and goal setting. Features such as inventory management allow you to see your best-selling products and the customers buying them.

Over time, you’ll be able to identify periods when you should stock up more or switch more attention to other products based on seasonal trends.

Increased Accuracy

There’s much less room for errors when using POS software to ring up sales than when doing it manually. This accuracy also extends to when you have to collect and merge data from multiple points of sale. With the software doing the heavy lifting, your reports are guaranteed to be accurate and well-organized.

Multiple Payment Methods

Nowadays, it’s important to give your customers a wide array of payment methods to choose from. Gone are the days when most sales were completed with cash transactions. Today, the most common in-store payment method in the U.S. is credit cards, followed by debit cards. Cash comes third in popularity, followed by digital wallets. Go for a POS system that allows you to integrate all popular payment options into your business.

Conclusion: So What Is a POS System?

To find the best POS solutions for your store, always begin with your business needs in mind. Your needs will dictate which POS features are vital for you, after which you can look for POS system providers offering what you need.

Remember to choose a system that will scale with your business for maximum value.

One of the best ways for businesses to connect with customers is through the phone. With phone communication, sales teams reach out to prospects, customers call help centers, and internal teams collaborate.

However, costs quickly add up when businesses are handling hundreds and thousands of calls daily. This makes it necessary to find a solution that is cheaper and more convenient.

We will look at what a VoIP caller is, how to set it up, and why your business should use a VoIP system.

Looking for a premium service? check out Vonage!

If you’re looking for an affordable VoIP that also happens to be one of the best solutions on the market today, look no further than RingCentral. It offers a complete phone system for your business with apps, AI, and automation on a single platform. You can get all of this, including the reliability and unique phone number, for less than $19.99 per month. If you act fast you can take advantage of the current 7-day free trial offer that is happening.

Sign up with RingCentral now.

What Is a VoIP Caller?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is a technology that allows you to make calls over the internet instead of a regular phone line. The cloud software will connect you to any phone around the world, by converting your voice into a digital signal that is transferred over the internet and then converted into a regular phone signal.

As a VoIP caller, you enter a phone number (or VoIP number) and dial it through the internet. The receiver’s phone will ring as if coming from another phone, except that it may display “VoIP caller” as the caller ID.

VoIP technology offers services like caller identification and screening, easy digital file sharing, email notifications, call conferencing, and even reports. Examples of VoIP phone services include Nextiva, RingCentral, Facebook Messenger, and Skype.

However, VoIP caller has two meanings. The VoIP system itself and the person calling you using a VoIP system. 

Therefore, a VoIP caller is someone calling you from a VoIP system. A VoIP caller is anybody who uses a digital signal to transmit their call through an internet connection, rather than analog phone lines. 

With the global VoIP services market expected to reach $102.5 billion by 2026, more and more businesses are making the shift to cloud-calling technologies. 

Do Businesses Need To Use a VoIP Service?

Businesses benefit from using a Voice over Internet Protocol service for many reasons, such as:

• Better remote team collaboration
• Large scale sales campaigns
• Reduced spending
• Increased scalability
• Increased brand awareness
• Easy digital file sharing

Leads to Better Remote Team Collaboration

For a business with many remote employees, VoIP systems make it easy and cost-efficient to keep in touch with your team and organize conferences. VoIP technology costs less than a regular telephone service. Businesses with multiple locations often set up VoIP phone systems to operate only within their offices using the business phones and computers.

Enables Large Scale Sales Campaigns

Many businesses use outbound calls to acquire and nurture leads, through cold calling and follow-ups. A VoIP system reduces the cost of constantly reaching out to people over the phone and makes it possible to contact anyone anywhere in the world.

Reduces Spending

VoIP services cost less than a traditional phone service, and they don’t require a lot of costly hardware. Companies can use existing computers and phones and simply download the required software. Moreover, there are free basic VoIP services available as well.

Increases Scalability

Businesses can easily add more lines using the same VoIP number, rather than calling in professionals to install a traditional phone line when they want to expand. 

Increases Brand Awareness

VoIP services allow businesses to include custom tags and caller IDs. These IDs can be kept the same no matter which employee is calling a customer. A consistent caller ID increases brand awareness and recognition.

Allows for Easy Digital File Sharing

A VoIP phone system allows users to share digital files during a call. These include documents, images, audio files, and videos. File transmission will depend on the receiver’s device.

Sign up with RingCentral now.

How Does a VoIP Caller Work?

A VoIP caller transmits your audio signal over a broadband internet connection.

VoIP technology converts your voice into data packets that are moved through internet fibers until they get to the area of the receiver. If you’re calling another VoIP phone line, the data packet is converted to audio and connected directly with the receiver. If you’re calling traditional phones, the data packets are converted to regular phone signals before reaching the user.

A VoIP phone system uses the TCP/IP and Intelligent Endpoint protocols. TCP breaks your audio down into data packets while IP transmits it over the internet’s fiber optic cables. The Intelligent Endpoint protocols locate and send signals to the receiver.

How to Set Up & Use a VoIP Caller

You need very little equipment when setting up a VoIP phone. Make sure you have access to the internet, an adapter, a software provider, and a phone or computer.

An internet broadband connection is what transmits your signal. The adapter converts your audio to data packets. An adapter is connected to a regular phone or built into a special VoIP phone.

Not every VoIP caller requires an adapter. With a smartphone or computer, you can simply install the VoIP software. Depending on the device you use, you may need to buy a microphone and speaker. If you want to use your existing phones, you may need to install special adaptors. 

When you select a VoIP provider such as Nextiva, simply sign up for an account and log into your dashboard. Decide your business hours and build your call flows, then install the desktop software. If you want a VoIP adapter or a softphone, reach out to Nextiva’s sales team.

How to Get a VoIP Number

You will need to sign up with a provider to get a VoIP phone number. VoIP providers have various methods of obtaining a VoIP number, but it’s usually simple depending on your requirements. 

Nextiva, for example, gives you a number when you sign up for an account. A VoIP number can be a new number or an existing phone number that you connect to the VoIP through number porting.

Depending on the residential VoIP services of the VoIP caller, you get a fixed or a non-fixed VoIP number.

A fixed VoIP number is tied to your address. This does not limit features. Instead, you have benefits like being able to contact emergency services like 911. However, you pay taxes that come with using that area code.

With non-fixed VoIP telephone numbers, you can choose any area code to use no matter your location. Unlike a fixed number, there is limited access to government and emergency services. 

VoIP phone numbers can be connected to different devices. For example, the same VoIP number is attached to a number of computers in a help center. This increases the rate and speed of pickup, because if someone calls, several phones ring at the same time, and the nearest agent picks up. It is also possible to speak with multiple users at the same time.

Get a VoIP Number with RingCentral today.

How Do I Identify a VoIP Caller?

To access VoIP services, a user is assigned a VoIP number. You can identify a VoIP caller by enabling caller ID information or looking up the VoIP number. Enabling caller ID software like Truecaller will automatically look up and display the ID. 

Other ways to find out who is calling you with a VoIP phone is to track the number during the call, ask your service provider to provide you with details, or use a reverse phone lookup service.

It is possible to trace a VoIP call after it has ended if you have installed a pocket analyzer. This software saves traffic details during a VoIP call. Look through those details to find the IP address. 

Businesses using Nextiva and other providers can customize their VoIP caller ID so that instead of “VoIP Caller”, you will see the brand name. Some callers use VPNs and Proxy servers to prevent IP address lookup. If a caller is doing that, it is probably better to block them. 

How to Block VoIP Calls

The easiest way to block a VoIP caller ID is to use your device blocking features. The method varies by device. Sometimes, it is as simple as selecting the number and clicking “Block number.” Other times, you may need to contact your traditional phone system provider and ask that a number be blocked.

You can use caller ID software, sign up for the Do Not Call registry, or reach out to the number and ask not to be contacted again.

VoIP Security Risks

While VoIP is certainly the future of business communication, there are some risks to be aware of. As with most things on the web, VoIP can also be abused by scammers and criminals to damage your business.

By breaching your phone system, hackers can listen to your phone calls, amass phone bills, or steal sensitive information related to your business, yourself, and your customers.

Since VoiP calls are made over the internet, these call systems are prone to many of the risks we see in the digital world.

So what are the most common VoIP Security risks?

Phishing

Phishing is a malicious activity when scammers call using numbers that appear similar to legitimate organizations. These organizations include banks, tax departments, and government agencies. The scammer leaves a message about “suspicious activity” on the recipient’s account and asks the recipient to “verify their identity”. 

As such, the victim may share sensitive information such as their bank account details or credit card information. In fact, over 59 million Americans lost money from a phone scam in 2021. 

Signs of a phishing attack include:

• Extreme urgency from the person on the other line
• Unexpected calls from known numbers or reputable organizations
• Short and unusual phone numbers on caller ID display
• The other person keeps requesting you to verify sensitive information

To prevent phishing, your organization should verify all phone requests, even if they seem to come from your IT department. You also need to train your employees to refuse to disclose sensitive information unless cleared by a supervisor. 

DDoS Attacks

DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks occur when criminals overwhelm a server with data and use up all of its bandwidth. In turn, your network or machine will be unavailable to its users after the DDoS attack disrupts the service.

If you use a VoIP caller and are tagged with a DDoS attack, you can’t make or receive any phone calls. DDoS attacks are on the rise and your business could be at risk. To mitigate DDoS attacks, we recommend using a separate, dedicated internet connection for your VoIP caller. 

Virtual Local Area Networks, VLANs, are specifically dedicated for VoIP traffic and prevent DDoS attacks. For VoIP callers sharing across a wide area network (WAN), you can protect your organization from DDoS attack with managed encryption. 

Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping is how most criminals steal sensitive information by obtaining passwords, names, and phone numbers. This allows them to take control of voicemail, calling plan, call forwarding, and billing information.

Voice Over Misconfigured Internet Telephone, or VOMIT, is a VoIP hacking technique that takes data and voice packets from calls directly. VOMIT is a form of eavesdropping and converts phone calls into files straight from your business phone system.

To protect your small business from VOMIT attacks and eavesdropping, use a cloud-based VoIP system with the latest call encryption techniques. Reputable VoIP callers come with end-to-end encryption and protect eavesdroppers from listening in on your important phone calls.  

Pros & Cons of a VoIP Service for Businesses

In a nutshell, here are the advantages and disadvantages of using a VoIP service in your business.

VoIP Caller Pros

• Can reach more people
• VoIP calls cost less than traditional phone calls
• More features like call forwarding and voicemail to email conversion
• Portable
• The same VoIP number can be connected to multiple phones
• You can speak to multiple people at the same time
• Easy to setup and use
• Helps team collaboration
• Can integrate with other apps like Slack and Zapier

VoIP Caller Cons

• May be labeled as spam
• Not everyone wants to receive VoIP calls

Conclusion: What Is a VoIP Caller?

A Voice over Internet Protocol phone service affords amazing benefits to both businesses and individuals. Using an internet connection, VoIP calls help businesses and freelancers connect with more prospects, manage sales campaigns, and manage team productivity. To individuals, it gives the ability to reach anyone in the world while traveling, using the same number. 

Get your VoIP system set up with RingCentral.