Once you have made the decision to switch to VoIP for the communication needs of your home or company, it is important to take your time to compare the different services you have at hand. Gather as much information as possible before making your decision.
Gather information
You can gather information by
- Doing research (on sites like this one, for example)
- Talking to people who already used the service
- Reading reviews
- Phoning the providers, visiting them in the office or their website.
Compare features
Make a list of the most common features and issues you will need to consider while comparing the services. You can use the following list or modify it to your needs.
-The activation fee
-The termination fee
-The contract terms
-Is the plan limited or unlimited?
-Ease of use
-Quality
-What equipment is needed?
-Will I get the equipment with the service?
-Equipment cost
-Minimum duration of service
-Money-back guarantee
-International calling
-Rates
-Multiple numbers
-Virtual numbers
-Tool-free numbers
-Emergency calls (E911)
-Fax services
-Voice mail
-Caller ID
-Call forwarding
-Call waiting
-Call transfer
-Call logs
For more, see the list of the top 5 service providers, and also read the 8 issues you should consider before signing for a VoIP service.
