10 Steps to Compare Virtual PBX Services

Hosted PBX Service Providers offer many different plans and services.  A Virtual PBX can be simple, convenient and, most importantly, compatible with your existing phones. In business environments the many challenges that entrepreneur’s face today are the following:

• Multiple phone numbers, multiple phones and devices
• No single phone number to connect the business
• All employees share a generic centralized voicemail box
• No way to transfer calls to other employees. i.e.. transfer the caller to the employees cell phone
• The business presents no consistent greeting messages to callers
And many more...

Before you decide to sign up to a hosted pbx service provider, there are a few questions that you need to answer in order to compare virtual PBX services.

Things that you need:

• Working phone
• Computer
• Internet access

Step 1
Determine your requirements. Ask yourself a few important questions like the following:  How many minutes of phone usage do you do in a month?  What do you really need in terms of features?  Do you need a toll free number or a local number or both?  What is your monthly plan budget for such a virtual receptionist service?

Step 2
Do you need basic functionality such as a simple voicemail box with call forwarding features or more standard virtual PBX features such as auto-attendant and a set of phone extensions?  This question is important because it helps you identify which application\plans to review and compare for each Virtual PBX Service Provider

Step 3
Inquire the many different services available to you.  Some of the key most popular virtualpbx service providers are GotVmail, eVoice Receptionist, Virtual PBX, and RingCentral.  These service providers have multiple plans and features as well as different pricing fees and pricing methods.

Step 4
Understand pricing fees.  Inquire and read about usage fees per minute and monthly fees for the plan.  A low monthly fee doesn’t always equal to the best value plan.  Usage fee for extra minutes per month can vary from 4.5 cents to 8.7 cents per minute.  Your business call volume will dictate your monthly total cost.

Step 5
Take the time to review the customer service for each Hosted PBX Service Provider.  If you run into any complications or need help, a service provider that delivers great 24\7 customer service can help you tremendously.  Some will offer phone only, others will offer phone, email, and online live chat support.

Step 6
Take the time to explore our web site and read more about each virtualpbx service provider to understand the best option that corresponds to your business requirements.

Step 7
Watch out for hidden fees.  Some service provider will have many hidden fees such as number porting, toll free number additional charges and many more.  Hidden fees combined with overflow usage extra charges can result in very high monthly costs. Take the time to inquire and read the differences between service providers multiple plans.

Step 8
Review carefully the number of extensions in each plan for each virtual receptionist service providers.  Some of them include 3 extensions, others 5 extensions, and others 10 extensions.  Review your business requirements and choose the best plan that suits your extension needs.

Step 9
The number of included free minute usage in each plan is of great importance. This has a direct impact to your monthly fees, if you go over the free included minutes per month.  In average most offers 1,000 free minutes per month, others more, and others less.  Take the time to explore and read carefully the plan descriptions.

Step 10
Use the 30 day free trial period!  Most Hosted PBX Service Providers have comparable 30 day free trial periods.  Make the most out of it and use it to your advantage to understand what you are getting into.