VOIP can cut a small business’s phone bill by half or more, with better features along for the ride. But every quarter we see the same mistakes turn what should be a smooth migration into a week of frustrated customers.
The five most common pitfalls
- Skipping the bandwidth check. VOIP needs ~100 Kbps per concurrent call; thin internet means choppy audio that no provider can fix.
- Forgetting QoS on the router. Without traffic prioritization, a single Zoom call can degrade every phone line in the office.
- Underestimating number-port time. Porting your business number can take 5-10 business days. Schedule the cutover, don’t improvise it.
- Ignoring 911 / emergency setup. Update emergency address records — VOIP doesn’t auto-locate callers like landlines do.
- Buying too many seats. Most providers let you add seats instantly. Start lean, scale up.
Get those five right and the rest of the migration is what the marketing promises — cheaper, more flexible, and a better customer experience.