What is the difference between Google Voice and VoIP?
Google Voice and VoIP are both communication services. They both allow you to make and receive calls over the internet. They wrap their differences around features, functionalities, and target audiences. Let’s explore the key differences between Google Voice and VoIP for business purposes.
Google Voice does have some limitations as it is a consumer-focused service. This solution does not aim to be a complete business communication tool. Because of this, many Google Voice VoIP alternatives are available.
Zadarma’s virtual numbers and Business phone system is a superior Google Voice alternative option. Zadarma’s unified communication solution offers many benefits. The ideal voice option for businesses of all sizes exists.
How does Google Voice work and what are its advantages?
To activate Google Voice, users will need to have created a Google Voice and Google Workspace account. Google Voice converts your voice into a digital signal that travels over the internet.
This solution allows users to make and receive calls using the Google Voice app or via the Google Voice website. Users can then link phone numbers to forward calls, if they do not wish to answer. Google Voice uses AI to filter out spam calls, texts, and voicemails. It also works well with other Google services like Gmail and Google Calendar.
Google Voice provides basic call management functionality, including call forwarding, voicemail transcription. The downside is that it only offers free domestic calls in the United States. Google Voice has many great features, but it also has some drawbacks. People know it has limitations for businesses and international users.
What are the limitations of Google Voice for businesses?
As discussed Google Voice offers stable voice call management features, however there are various limitations. Below is a simple list to summarize some of these.
- Limited international number availability - This restricts users’ ability to obtain relevant local numbers
- Basic features and weak business tools limit access to a phone system. They also restrict integration with a CRM. This can hinder the growth of scaling businesses.
- No toll-free numbers - Google Voice doesn't offer toll-free numbers. This means you can't buy phone numbers with toll-free area codes.
- No call porting option is available. Both the free and paid versions of Google Voice do not offer vanity numbers. You also cannot port in your existing vanity phone numbers.
- Limited product integrations mean there is little access to payment tools outside the Google ecosystem. This makes communication workflows harder. As a result, users face difficulties and a disjointed experience.
- Limited customer service available - Limited support hinders users’ ability to resolve issues quickly.
- Voice performance dependent on internet quality - This has proven to cause dropped calls.
- Complex setup process - For businesses with multiple locations, the setup process is complicated. It has restrictions on managing different phone numbers and extensions.
- Potential restrictions on international usage - Google Voice is only US centric, which limits its usability and availability of certain features outside target regions.
Why is Zadarma the Best Google Voice Alternative?
Instead of spending time, money, and energy on a limited voice system, consider Zadarma. A great alternative to Google Voice for growing businesses exists. Zadarma offers a seamless communication with specifically designed call management features to suit scaling businesses.
Zadarma’s feature benefits
1. Global reach with extensive call performance features
Zadarma is a global voice call solution. It offers virtual phone numbers in over 100 countries. In contrast, Google Voice only focuses on the US market.
Using cloud VoIP technology, Zadarma PBX offers many call handling features. These features can help business sales and customer service teams. These features are intuitive and fully functional, providing a hassle free call handling solution.
The virtual phone system lets you record and forward calls. You can also monitor, control, and analyze call performance using the built-in statistics feature. When every call can impact your revenue, it is important that each outbound call offers great service.
2. Advanced Features & Integration Capability
Zadarma is a popular choice for businesses instead of Google Voice. This is because it works well with CRM systems and other tools.
Integrating your voice call solution with your CRM will help your team offer better customer service. This will improve every inbound and outbound conversation. Zadarma currently integrates with a variety of mainstream CRM systems including Salesforce, as well as Teamsale.
In addition to integration, Zadarma is an effective Google Voice alternative because of its call analytics feature functionality. Zadarma’s PBX can listen to call recordings and review text transcriptions. It also shows call analytics data for better business processing, analyzing, and improvements.
The speech recognition feature is a paid service. The price depends on the language and your phone plan. All options include free transcription minutes along with the analytics feature.
Zadarma PBX also provides a speech analytics feature tool. This enables the extraction of relevant data from either a real time conversation or a previously saved audio file.
Flexible and Cost-Effectiveness
Zadarma takes minutes to set up and use. Furthermore there are various transparent pricing plans and competitive international calling rates available. The PBX phone system only charges users for outgoing calls, and it provides most features at no cost. The system mainly serves growing businesses and start-ups. It offers a cost-effective way to manage your inbound and external calls.
Perfect for all user scenarios
Zadarma’s PBX is a good alternative to Google Voice. It works well for businesses with remote teams and those needing to connect internationally. Often business users may wish to replace Google Voice with more features.
Zadarma has a helpful voice menu feature. It lets sales and customer service teams route calls to different remote teams.
You can base this on working hours, time zones, and team availability. This feature enhances productivity. Incoming call scenarios are sets of extension numbers. These numbers receive calls in certain situations, like time zones or city locations.
You can organize how you manage your calls. You can change the IVR settings and hold music.
You can set your working hours and turn on missed call notifications. You can do this based on the options in the voice menu. Additionally, users can set up custom voicemails for any calls they miss outside business hours.
Summary
Google Voice is a consumer-oriented service with limited business features. In contrast, a VoIP service refers to a more comprehensive communication solution often designed specifically for businesses. Zadarma has become a popular Google Voice alternative, chosen by many businesses across the world.
Businesses looking for a professional and scalable way to communicate might consider a dedicated business VoIP solution. Zadarma is a good option to explore. Zadarma provides flexible, scalable and cost effective communication to build and centralise your business around.