How To Switch From Landline To VoIP? A Step-By-Step Guide

Introduction

Are you a business owner wanting to switch from landline to VoIP? Well, considering the fact that VoIP is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% and is here to stay, you have every reason to make this switch. If you’ve always been using landline and are looking forward to scaling your business, then VoIP is just what you need. In this guide, we will familiarize you with the process of switching from landline to VoIP, including the things to keep in mind and steps to follow. Stay tuned for some actionable insights!

Why Should You Switch From Landline to VoIP?

Businesses who have taken the step to switch from landline to VoIP have experienced better call quality, improved conversion rates, enhanced engagement, and a huge cut in expenses. If you convert landline to VoIP, here are some key benefits you enjoy:

VoIP is more cost-effective than landlines

When you transfer landline to VoIP, you also get rid of all those wires and all those hard phones. It means that switching to VoIP doesn’t require any equipment. You just need an active internet connection and your device that you’d use to make and receive calls such as your phone, laptop, tablet, etc. You need not pay a bomb to sign up for VoIP; you just need to pay a subscription fee to use the service, either on a monthly or yearly basis.

VoIP offers better mobility and flexibility

Since VoIP is hosted on cloud, you can operate from anywhere in the world. With an active internet connection, you can make use of all VoIP services, in sharp contrast to landline phones wherein you need to be in your office to make or receive calls. The flexibility in operations makes VoIP a popular alternative to landlines and is a prime reason behind 60% of small businesses switching to VoIP from landline.

There is more to VoIP than just calling

VoIP doesn’t just offer calling and some features as an extension of calling; but acts as an end-to-end solution for business communication. Right from transferring and routing calls to sending and receiving text messages, from integrating with existing tools to checking detailed calling metrics; you can do a lot more with VoIP than landline. This is another major reason why businesses want to transfer landline to VoIP.

You can use VoIP to scale your business

With VoIP, you can scale your business to ‘n’ number of users or locations by paying a nominal fee. You don’t need to add more equipment for that as you would do in the case of landlines, or pay a hefty price. Scalability with VoIP is easy and is a blessing for small businesses that want to grow efficiently.

The call quality is better with VoIP

VoIP offers great uptime and a sound call quality as opposed to landline phones. When the call quality itself is bad, the user experience gets disrupted, and hence results in improper engagement and poor service. To rectify all these shortcomings, VoIP has advanced especially in terms of call quality; ensuring smooth communication between you and your customers. Improved call quality is another key reason why businesses want to replace landline with VoIP.

VoIP integrates with your existing tools

VoIP integrates seamlessly with your other business tools, to help streamline processes. For instance, if you’re a healthcare business and have a receive a call from a patient, you need not fumble through pages or search for their data manually on your device. With VoIP integrated to your EHR/PMS, you’d get access to a feature called Call Pop that would present you with all details of the patient before you pick that call. That’s how powerful integration is. It helps you operate smoothly without switching context.

VoIP is more secure than landlines

Landline phones are at a constant risk of interception. That’s not the case with VoIP because VoIP offers end-to-end encryption, which ensures that no outside parties can access the contents of a phone call. The need for advanced security and encryption is prompting businesses to switch to VoIP.

Things To Keep In Mind When Switching From Landline To VoIP

Before you make that important decision switching from landline to VoIP, here are a few things to keep in mind:

You need a sound internet connection

The only requirement of VoIP is good internet connectivity. Make sure that your internet connection is strong enough for VoIP. Upgrade to a better internet provider if required.

You require a backup plan in the case of an outage

Since VoIP operates on internet, you need to ensure that you have power backup in case there’s an outage. If you don’t have a system in place, all your data can be lost.

You should be able to make emergency calls

Check with your VoIP provider if you can make emergency calls with your VoIP phone. This feature would come in handy in case of an emergency.

Check if you can use your landline number

If you are switching from landline to VoIP but want to keep using your landline number for communication, you can do so. Your landline number will get ported and text enabled. Check with your chosen VoIP provider if you can port landline to VoIP.

Your VoIP system should integrate seamlessly with your existing tools

The VoIP provider you sign up with must integrate with your existing system of record such as your CRM, EMR, ATS or field service software. With such an integration you can:

Ensure smart call routing between new and existing customers
Track and analyze the conversion rates of your incoming calls, which is not possible with landlines
Set up smart call trees based on customer intent. For example, you can set up a call tree wherein customer can press 1 to receive a text, press 2 to confirm an appointment, press 3 to reschedule an appointment, and so on.

You should be able to call and text from the same number

Your VoIP provider should help you text enable your landline number so that you can send and receive text messages from the same number. Having different phone numbers for calling and texting might create confusion for the customers. Also, having separate systems for calling and texting isn’t efficient and hence isn’t scalable. It’s therefore better to have a single number that you can use for both calling and texting.

The VoIP system should offer text and call support

VoIP systems might involve a bit of learning curve initially, or you might encounter an issue that you need to resolve immediately. In such cases, support in the form of email isn’t feasible. You must ensure that your chosen VoIP provider offers real-time text and call support so that you can operate smoothly.

Your VoIP should have AI capabilities

There is no doubt in the fact that AI is here to stay. To move hand in hand with the advancing technologies,y you must ensure that your VoIP system encompasses ai capabilities. This includes using AI to handle calls, especially during emergencies.

How To Switch From Landline To VoIP? Key Steps To Follow

Step-1: Thoroughly research VoIP providers and check if they support number porting

The very first step of switching from landline to VoIP is to do a comprehensive research of VoIP providers that align with your use case. Check out these guides for future reference:

Whichever VoIP provider you choose, make sure it offers number porting and also helps you text enable your landline number.

Step-2: Get all the information you need for number porting from your VoIP provider

Do not cancel your plan with your current landline provider until your subscription with your chosen VoIP provider is active. Gather all important information about number porting from your VoIP provider such as the process, standard timeline for number porting, details required, etc.

Step-3: Sign up with your chosen VoIP provider

The next step is to sign up with your chosen VoIP provider and get it set up. Make sure to complete all processes including porting your current number and getting it enabled for texting. Make sure that the provider you choose doesn’t bear any hidden costs and offers end-to-end support in addition to advanced VoIP functionalities.

Step-4: Wait for successful number porting and account activation

Once you sign up and share your requirements with the chosen VoIP provider, you now need to patiently wait for them to activate your account.

Step-5: Cancel your service with your old provider

Once your account with the VoIP service is up and running, you can then cancel your landline service.

Step-6: Enjoy all VoIP benefits with your new provider

You’re all set! Enjoy all the benefits that your VoIP provider has to offer.

Switch From Landline to Emitrr’s VoIP Phone System

Are you ready to replace landline with VoIP? Well, Emitrr can be a great option for you, irrespective of the nature and size of your business. Here’s how:

Excellent uptime

Emitrr offers 99.99% uptime, which means you experience great call quality throughout. Once you connect Emitrr to your existing tools, you get to be at the top of all your communications, reducing missed calls call drops. Not only do you end up improving customer acquisition and retention but also get to scale your business as per your requirements.

End-to-end support

VoIP can be tricky when you don’t know how to navigate through all the capabilities. However, that’s not the case with Emitrr. The platform is easy to use and setup and the support team is readily available to address any queries or concerns you may have, in real-time.

Advanced features

Emitrr’s diverse range of capabilities make it an ideal VoIP solution for businesses across industries and sizes. You can add new users and locations, bring all customer information onto one single dashboard, set up your own IVR menu and call trees in just a few clicks, record calls, convert voicemails into text, monitor call quality, engage in two-way conversations over text, and send an automated text message every time you miss a call.

Seamless integration

With Emitrr, you can easily integrate 1000+ local business software, reduce average handle time by pulling customer information right before you pick their call, track your conversions more efficiently.

If you’re a business owner looking forward to building a thriving business, you need to walk hand in hand with technological advancements and embrace change. Hence, it is time to move away from your traditional landlines, put your trust into a VoIP phone system like Emitrr and get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch my landline to VoIP?

Yes, you can switch your landline to VoIP, without having to buy a new number. You can get your landline number ported and enjoy all VoIP benefits from the same number. The number porting can take several days and varies with provider you choose. You need to share details like your last invoice, phone number, port-out pin and account number for the same.

How do I convert my phone line to VoIP?

To convert landline to VoIP, you need to sign up with a VoIP provider and select your preferred plan. Then you need to get your number ported and wait for the account to get activated. Once your account is active, cancel your service with the landline provider and enjoy advanced features offered by your VoIP provider.

Can you use a normal landline phone for VoIP?

You can use your existing landline number for VoIP. Remember that a VoIP phone works just like a normal phone, it just has more features and great flexibility in comparison to your hard phones.

Conclusion

Converting landline to VoIP is not a hassle, because providers help you with the entire process. All you need to do is trust the process and the provider. Emitrr offers seamless transition from landline to VoIP to all its users. Are you eager to explore Emitrr’s VoIP functionalities? Book a quick demo here to see how Emitrr can help you achieve scalability.