With internet-based phones (VoIP) being the trend, many Americans are transitioning to this technology without understanding its drawbacks. Internet-based phones may appear cheap when you subscribe to their service, but their reliability, call quality, and clarity depend on internet strength.
Customers have reported plans getting expensive and reaching $100 to get reliable call quality. The expense, however, is no guarantee for 100% uptime. Network, internet, or power outages could render your phone useless, as the lines will go down, making them less reliable than landlines.
But, thanks to the FCC guidelines, large carriers are shutting down copper wire services across the country, leaving you with very few options - get a bundled expensive digital landline or a VoIP phone. To continue using your landline and enjoy reliable service, excellent calling features, and the freedom of future-proof wireless access, you need Community Phone, the best business landline service in the U.S.
Read on to learn more about the 4 best VoIP alternatives in 2023 and how Community Phone is the best choice for your business.
1. Community Phone - Best VoIP Alternative for Business
Community Phone is perfect for businesses that need an easy way to connect with their customers and employees without worrying about limitations accompanying traditional landlines or internet-based phones.
Community Phone is an innovative wireless landline service that connects to local cell phone towers and does not require copper connections or internet to function. Its features, such as call forwarding, conference calling, and voice mail transcription, make it one of the great VoIP alternatives for business.
There are built-in antennas on the landline base that boost weak signals, letting you experience clear calls and extensive coverage in rural and low-reception areas.
What makes Community Phone better than VoIP Phone Numbers?
There are many reasons why Community Phone is one of the better VoIP alternatives, with reliability and fantastic call quality being the chief ones. Read on to find out the top 5 reasons and get the information you need to make an informed decision.
1. Call Routing
Facilitate remote work and create a great end-user experience with Community Phone's call routing feature. You can route calls to the appropriate department or person every time, per set rules, to suit your business needs.
Have several phones, including employee cell phones, ring simultaneously if you are working remotely to ensure any available rep can answer the call. Routing calls accurately creates a seamless experience for your customer and does not hamper the work-from-home experience of your employees.
You can also have numbers ring one after the other if the first number is busy or not answering.
2. Call Forwarding
The call-forwarding feature is for you if you are a startup and do not want to invest in a business phone system. You can get a second business number from Community Phone for your cell phone and get business calls on that number, ensuring you keep your work-life balance intact.
Or, you can get Community Phone to transfer calls from a landline to your cell phone to ensure you do not share your cell number with clients but are always available for them.
3. Custom Dial Menu
You don't get a second chance to create a first best impression. Program the Community Phone multi-level auto attendant, a part of the custom dial menu, to record professional greetings for your customers, answer FAQs, route calls, or share important information.
4. Voicemail-to-email
Community Phone has a voicemail-to-email service that helps you keep all your voicemails in one place. You or anyone in your business can access your voicemails as audio files and transcripts in a mail associated with your Community Phone account.
This feature can help you respond to missed calls, create trusting customers, enhance your business reputation and bring referrals.
5. Spam Call Blocking Services
Get rid of unwanted calls with Community Phone's robocall blocker on Community Phone. The spam call blocker on Community Phone helps prevent illegal and unwanted calls from reaching your home phone.
Even before your phone rings, it can identify and block suspicious or unwanted calls, such as spam, fraud, or robocalls. You can use this function to block any calls that could put you in harm's way.
Benefits of Switching to Community Phone
There are many advantages of switching to Community Phone over traditional landline phones. Here are just a few of the significant benefits:
1. Unlimited Text
Use unlimited landline texting from Community Phone to send personalized messages to your customers on discounts, offers, and announcements. Build a long-lasting relationship with them by sending them little notes on their special occasions. The possibilities are endless!
2. Unlimited Nationwide Calls
Stay in touch with customers across the country with the unlimited nationwide calling to address their questions and concerns and collect feedback.
3. Number Choice
Get a local, toll-free, or vanity number from Community Phone and create that differentiator from your competition. While local numbers can help you scale your business in your local area, toll-free numbers are location agnostic and help you expand your reach across the country.
Vanity numbers are easy to remember and can bring in referrals. You can map your toll-free numbers to marketing campaigns and check their effectiveness.
4. International Calls to 229 Countries
Expand your reach internationally with Community Phone's cheap international call plan. Call 229 countries at the lowest rates to scale and sustain your business without fearing massive phone bills.
5. No Internet Required
Community Phone is a wireless landline service that connects your business phone to cell towers in your area, eliminating the need for internet or copper wires.
6. Easy Installation
You or anyone in your business can connect the Community Phone landline base in 30 seconds. Plug the landline base into a power outlet and hook your phone to it, and you are good once all the lights on the base turn green.
7. Excellent Customer Support
Reach a live person whenever you want to contact the Community Phone customer support. These subject matter experts will patiently answer your questions or address concerns you may have.
8. Free 14-Day Trial
The free 14-day Trial allows you to try the Community Phone service before committing to it.
How Do I Get Started With Community Phone?
Here's how you can sign up for the Community Phone landline service:
1) Call Community Phone customer care at 866-739-1626 to get a custom quote for your business.
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Check with the rep if you have coverage in your area
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Once coverage has been confirmed, an account manager will contact you to understand your business needs and help you tailor Community Phone features to match your expectations.
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You can get a new local, toll-free, or vanity number from Community Phone or port your existing number.
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Once you receive your landline base, hook it up as per the instruction manual, and you are good to go.
2. CenturyLink
CenturyLink is a telecommunications company that offers traditional landline services.
Main Features
CenturyLink service offers
Voicemail: a voicemail service that lets you leave a message for your phone line even when you're not home or unavailable.
Caller ID: a Caller ID service that allows you to see the name and number of the caller before you answer your phone.
Call waiting: a call-waiting service that allows you to answer another phone call while still on the phone you're currently on.
Call forwarding: This feature allows you to forward all incoming calls to any other number you choose.
Customers can access these features through the CenturyLink phone system or the CenturyLink app. This service is good for customers who want to stay connected while on the go.
3. Cox
Traditional landline service provides an essential capability for people who live in rural or suburban areas or who need assistance while away from their homes.
Cox offers this service in various ways, including traditional telephone lines and DSL lines. Cox is one of the best alternatives for VoIP service.
Main Features
Cox offers a range of features that provide a tremendous traditional landline service.
Simultaneous Ring: This feature allows home phone calls to be answered from any location as long as the caller is on the same cell phone network. This means you can answer a call even if you're out of the house or at work.
Automatically Block Robocalls: This feature automatically blocks unwanted telemarketing calls, robocalls, and other unwanted calls. You'll only receive calls from people you allow to call you.
Call Forwarding: Forwarding a call will send it to another number instead of answering it. It is helpful if you're busy and don't want to take the time to answer the call yourself.
Call Waiting: If someone rings your phone while you're on another call, call waiting will hold that other call until you finish your current one. This means that you can still talk and listen at the same time without having to interrupt your conversation.
Caller ID: It provides a caller I.D. to identify who is calling you.
3-Way Calling: Allows three people to talk on a single phone line simultaneously.
4. AT&T
AT&T is a telecommunications corporation that provides a wide range of services, including traditional wired landline connections and long-distance calling.
AT&T offers a variety of plans and options to suit your needs, and the customer service team is available 24/7 to help you with anything. Whether you're looking for a reliable landline connection or need help with long-distance calling, AT&T has you covered.
Main Features
AT&T is a telecommunications company that delivers a wide range of services, including phone, internet, and T.V. One of its main features is unlimited local calling, which means you can call people in your local area without paying extra fees. Still, you may have to get a different plan if you need unlimited nationwide calling.
AT&T also offers caller I.D. and call forwarding to easily track who's calling and where they are in the world. Lastly, Speed Dial lets you dial multiple numbers at once with just one click. It makes it easy to change topics or move on to the next step in your conversation.
FAQs
Why are VoIP Phone Numbers not recommended for Businesses?
VoIP phone numbers are not recommended for businesses as several countries, including Dubai, have prohibited using VoIP phone lines, such as WhatsApp.
Since VoIP phones depend entirely on the internet, network, and power, internet outages could affect your business, leaving you embarrassed in front of customers and acquaintances. Jitter, lag, and call drops are common VoIP woes that mar a business's reputation.
Does VoIP work without the internet?
VoIP does not work without the internet. This is because VoIP uses the internet to make and receive calls. Without an active internet connection, VoIP services are not possible.
What can I use instead of VoIP?
The Community Phone landline service is an excellent option for those who want to replace VoIP with a phone service that combines landline reliability, VoIP features, and the freedom of wireless access.
With various business features - automated answering service, call routing, live call transfer, spam call blocking, affordable plans, and unlimited nationwide calling, Community Phone is what your business or household needs.
Talk to the Community Phone landline specialists at 866-739-1626 to learn more!
Takeaways
In the end, it is just a matter of finding the right solution that suits your operational requirements. With so many alternatives to choose from, it can be very unclear. That's why we have listed four of the best VoIP alternatives—each with unique features and benefits.
Community Phone offers affordable, quality phone service to businesses of all sizes. It's perfect for small businesses that need an easy way to communicate with their customers and employees. It also provides excellent features like call forwarding, recording, and secure messaging.