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Improve Communication With Business VoIP

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As a business owner, you may have often wondered, is there a way to improve business interactions without overspending? Well, yes, there is. Business VoIP is a cloud-based communications solution that is cost-effective and sustainable. But first, you need to understand what VoIP is and how you can use it best.

Business VoIP: Using VoIP in the Workplace

Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) enables you to make and receive phone calls over the internet instead of a phone line. Therefore, VoIP lets you engage in phone conversations through any device (smartphone, laptop, deskphone, etc) and from anywhere in the world. In recent years, VoIP has been growing more and more popular with US companies across different industries.

Besides phone calls, you can also send and receive video, audio, text messages, and files from one system to another. You can also transform any device into a business phone that has VoIP capabilities. And so, even when you are traveling, you can conduct business as well.

Let’s look at the many reasons why business VoIP should be the next switch for your corporation.

Lower Costs and Increased Accessibility

Most companies are switching to business VoIP because VoIP phone systems are cheaper to purchase and install. They do not require expensive hardware or elaborate set-ups. More importantly, because they transmit calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines, call charges are considerably less. This allows you to make international calls without paying high long-distance calling charges.

A virtual communications provider will offer different plans that you can choose from based on your call volume and business size. Then you pay for how much you use, and you remain accessible no matter where you are. You can get virtual local and international numbers with familiar country and area codes. Individuals are more likely to call or answer a call from a number code that is local and that they recognize.

Personalize with Advanced Features

Every enterprise needs to create and maintain an image of professionalism and customer care. Becoming accessible is one way to do so. Another way is to use additional communication features to personalize and control business interactions. When you get business VoIP from a cloud-based communications provider, you get access to other exciting features that help organize and streamline company calls. Here are some features that United World Telecom offers:

  • Call Forwarding – Forward incoming calls to desired numbers
  • Interactive Voice Response (IVR) – Automated response assists and directs them to the right department through a series of menus
  • Outbound Calling with Customizable Caller ID – Display desired caller ID when making outbound calls for sales and lead generation
  • Customized Greetings – IVR feature that greets customers and offers information about the company
  • Call Recording – Record incoming and outgoing calls for quality assurance and compliance purposes
  • Time of Day Routing – Route calls to certain numbers during specific times of the day
  • SMS to Email, Voicemail to Email – Receive texts and voicemail copies in your inbox
  • Call Tracking – Track incoming and outgoing calls with multiple virtual numbers

Encourages Collaboration Across Teams

With call transfer, multiple extensions, and the ability to communicate from anywhere, business VoIP makes it easier to communicate within teams. This is especially beneficial for companies with remote employees and offices. Through high-quality audio and video communication, you can also be in the know. This leads to more productivity and fewer interruptions.

Bolster Office Communication

With advancements in technology, it is easier than ever to improve office communication to make processes more efficient. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a business phone number and start building your VoIP system. Not convinced yet? Talk to an expert to learn more. We are here to help.

Dodd-Frank Act: Information for Call Recording Compliance

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The financial services industry has heard the name Dodd-Frank bounced around a lot. However, not many understand what the Dodd-Frank Act actually is and how it particularly impacts business communications. If you run a finance company, this information is essential to the legal and appropriate functioning of your business.

Dodd-Frank Act: What is it?

In 2010, the then President, Obama signed a comprehensive set of financial restrictions and regulations into federal law. Called the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, this Act evolved as a direct response to the Financial Crisis of 2007 when many big names collapsed due to significant financial landslides. The Act, therefore, works towards encouraging financial stability and avoiding another financial crisis. And it does so through a series of measures:

  • Increasing transparency
  • Ending the “too big to fail” attitude
  • Protecting consumers from problematic financial advice
  • Protecting taxpayers by ending bailouts.

Interestingly, the Act’s rules and implications work quite similarly to the MiFID II Act announced by the European Union in 2018. The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) was initiated in 2004. MiFID II, the latest version, aims to strengthen investor protection and make financial markets more transparent and efficient. And the Dodd-Frank Act works towards the same goal.

Call Recording Compliance Under the Dodd-Frank Act

For this extensive list, regulations relating to voice recording are the most important and most difficult rules to adhere to. The motive behind the Act’s voice recording regulations is to encourage record-keeping and increase accountability and transparency. And these regulations apply to almost every organization within the financial services industry. Key call recording requirements state that:

  • Communications regarding trade information must be recorded across all channels: telephone, voicemail, text messages, email, etc.
  • Records must be organized efficiently for easy searching.
  • Files must be stored for the duration of the transaction and for up to five years after.
  • Records must be time stamped.

Swaps and Call Recording

Additionally, this Act legislates and regulates the monitoring of the swaps marketplace. Now, what are swaps? A swap is a derivative contract or future, involving the exchange of liabilities or cash flows between two financial institutions. Such contracts usually occur over the phone and have so far been unregulated. In 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) required future brokers to record phone conversations. And so, the Dodd-Frank Act aims to bring transparency to these financial transactions. Firms receiving more than $5 million through swap or futures must store the information for five years, even after the termination of the swap. Furthermore, these records must be accessible and tagged for easy search.

Call Recording Compliance

Whether your business falls under financial services or not, it is a good idea to comply with the regulations of this Act. However, it is difficult to determine which calls are going to lead to a transaction. So, how do you decide which calls to record or not? One solution is to record all calls. But the cost of recording calls and storing them can be expensive. This is because traditional call recording technology works with hardware. And that can generate higher costs as well as limited access to data. Additionally, you will need storage space upgrades.

Fortunately, cloud-based solutions exist to make call recording and storing processes easier. By choosing a virtual provider, like United World Telecom, you can set 100% of your calls to be recorded. And then access them with ease without needing to store them “physically.” You can get call recording with your virtual business number, which eliminates the need for equipment costs, etc.

Closing: Get Call Recording with United World Telecom

You can take advantage of our Call Recording feature to record and store incoming and outgoing calls. Stored as MP3 files, you may access these recordings easily, as they are accessible through our control panel. Sign up for a business number today or call us to find out more.

Getting a Toll Free Number for Your Business is Easy

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Getting a toll free number for your business is a convenient way to boost your communication with your customers. You can find toll free numbers from a variety of providers with different plan options.

Some businesses can benefit from a toll free number more than others. For example, if you are a startup, local, or a small business, a toll free number makes sense for you because it gives your business instant credibility. It is also suitable for growth because with a toll free number you can reach a national audience. E-commerce businesses and home-based businesses can also benefit from toll free numbers because if you do not have a physical address for a store, you need a reliable way for your customers to get in contact with you. Franchise businesses can also benefit from a toll free number; whether you have already franchised your business or want to head in that direction. It is a great way to keep all of your companies working under one number.

If your business falls into one of these types of companies, then you should be thinking critically about getting an 800 number. If you’re still on the fence, that may be because you are unsure of the way that it works. An 800 number is a useful number for businesses of all types because it provides a link between customer and business that does not cost the customer anything to call. Toll free numbers also are a way to connect people from across the country with your business. They are especially vital for companies that need to spend time on the phone with their customers. They are simple to set up and easy to transfer as well. If you want to personalize the toll free number to a vanity number like 1-800-DOGFOOD, most providers will offer options for such personalization which can make your business more recognizable.

Getting a Toll Free Number
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Benefits of Getting a Toll Free Number

So once you have decided your business can benefit from a toll free number, how do you go about getting one? Follow these steps to get started with your new toll free number today!

Research multiple providers

The first step to finding the right service provider for your business is by doing your research. Compare rates and plans of the top toll free number providers. Each provider will have slightly different features and prices. It is necessary that you figure out which provider has the features that you need within your budget for your toll free line. Some providers have monthly payment plans while others will charge by the minute with no minimum. You should collect data on how many calls you receive and need to make currently to find out the best plan that works for you.

Research the features

Once you have narrowed down your search by the plan, you must make sure that the providers you have narrowed down offer the right features for your business. Some providers will offer features like call recording, unlimited extensions, customized greetings, and simultaneous ringing. Remember your business’ needs and budget when deciding on features.

Contact United World Telecom or another service provider of your choosing

Many companies offer 1-800 toll-free numbers, so do your research before choosing the best provider for your business. Since you’re already here, you may have decided that United World Telecom is the best option for your business. United World Telecom offers several ways of getting in contact with them. You can get started by calling our toll free number at 1(877)898-8646, using our online chat box, or by ordering online via UnitedWorldTelecom.com.

Set up an account

Once you have chosen the right service for a business, you can start to set up your account right away. Choose the number that you want and if you decided to go with a vanity number, try to pick one that closely matches your business. After setting up an account, you should be up and ready to go the same day.

Route your phone lines

A toll free number can be routed to the phone lines that you already have. You may need to choose to have a PBX set up on the premise or to opt for a cloud-based PBX. If you select the cloud, you can be ready to go without having to install a PBX. There is also an option to route the toll-free number to a landline as well. Once you’ve signed up and set up your account, you’re done! You’re all ready to start taking calls within the hour!