Part of running a small business is being able to accept phone calls from customers, as well as making phone calls to customers, suppliers, and others. When talking about making calls, you may hear the term “VoIP caller” but wonder what it is. Learn more about VoIP callers and get a refresher on VoIP in general, including the benefits of using it for your small business.
What Is VoIP? (Voice over Internet Protocol)
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a phone system that uses the Internet to make and receive calls instead of traditional landlines. For most people and businesses, VoIP offers an alternative to having a landline with your local telephone company. VoIP numbers don’t typically require complicated installation and tend to be more versatile, letting you answer them on the go with the right system.
What Is a VoIP Caller?
A VoIP caller is simply someone calling you from a VoIP system. So, they aren’t using a traditional phone carrier such as AT&T or Verizon.
How to Identify a VoIP Caller
Let’s go over a few methods that will enable you to identify a VoIP caller.
Use Caller ID
One of the simplest methods to identify a VoIP caller is to use caller ID.
CNAM Lookup
CNAM stands for caller ID name. This is the name connected to the caller ID. If it shows up, just search for it to determine where it comes from.
Use a Reverse Phone Lookup Service
You can also use one of the many services that give you the name of a caller when you enter a phone number.
Check the Domain
Depending on the VoIP system, the call may show a domain linked to it, as you would get with an email address. You can look this up.
Use a Packet Analyzer
If you have a hardphone or softphone, you can use a packet analyzer to log traffic. It will include the IP details of VoIP calls.
Benefits of Using VoIP for Your Business
VoIP is the right choice for most small businesses due to its long list of benefits.
Nationwide Long-distance Included
Even with a local customer base, you may still occasionally need to make long-distance calls. This is especially true for small businesses with online stores and those who work with suppliers on the other side of the country. If you need to make a long-distance call outside of the U.S., the price will also be much cheaper than with a landline.
Incredibly Easy to Set Up
Compared to landlines, VoIP phones are incredibly easy to set up. You can typically do so without installing too much additional hardware, if any at all. In many cases, you can even set the system up yourself, without needing to pay for expensive installation.
More Affordable
While prices for VoIP can vary greatly, it is almost always more affordable than an equivalent landline. The monthly costs are usually lower, and the installation cost is either lower or non-existent. You will also typically get additional features for free that would cost you more with a landline. These features can include an auto attendant, phone extensions, conference calling, call routing, and more. It’s worth noting that you may have to pay extra for some of those features with your VoIP, but if you do, you would still spend less than you would with a landline.
