Pros and Cons of Google Voice for Business

Google Voice is a Voice Over Internet Protocol phone system through which people can make and receive calls, messages, and voicemails over the Internet. It was launched on March 11, 2009, and includes communication features like voicemail transcripts, SMS management, voicemail greetings, and many more.

Initially, Google Voice offered its services for personal use for free. However, as demand increased, it extended its services for businesses as a paid plan. The upgraded plan included improved and enhanced communication features such as call routing, call recording, video conference, and voicemail transcripts among others.

Google Voice operates over the Internet for communication services. With network connectivity on your devices (computers or mobile phones), you can access its services from anywhere at any time.

To use Google Voice, you’re required to create an account. You can sign up from its website or application to get access. After registration, you’ll choose a virtual phone number that allows you to make and receive calls and text messages online.

But Google Voice isn’t limited to just calls and texts. It becomes even more powerful when integrated with its broader ecosystem. It integrates with its own Google Workspace, which includes Google Meet, Google Calendar, and Gmail making communication and scheduling more convenient and smooth.

Google Voice is a reliable phone system for businesses. It offers an improved communication platform with free numbers and seamless integration with other Google services, improving efficiency and productivity. Some of the pros of Google Voice are:

With the personal version of Google Voice, you can get a phone number for free, which can be used to communicate within the 48 states of the US. However, you need to upgrade your plan to the paid version to use the number for more advanced features or to get multiple phone numbers.

Google Voice is accessible through computers, tablets, and mobile devices, allowing users to stay connected from various communication platforms simultaneously. It benefits businesses by enabling seamless connectivity, providing a unified communication platform, and facilitating easy call management and voicemail access.

Google Voice is highly scalable for business use. You can easily add or remove phone lines and integrate them with existing systems without any changes. Such flexibility supports growing teams and growing businesses efficiently and effectively.

Google Voice allows you to transfer your existing phone numbers to use its service, ensuring a smooth change without affecting business activities. It means businesses can easily switch without disrupting communication flow.

Google Voice enables you to make and receive international calls and texts at an affordable cost, making it easier and cost-effective to connect with clients worldwide. Moreover, the ability to manage international communications through a single or unified platform simplifies operations, enhances efficiency, and improves customer reach.

Although Google Voice has numerous advantages, it also has some limitations that businesses should consider. Some of the cons of Google Voice are:

Google Voice for Business integrates with the Google Workspace only, such as Google Meet, Google Calander, Gmail, etc., or the Google ecosystem. It restricts compatibility with other powerful third-party business tools and software like Slack, Microsoft 365, CRM, and more. This limitation can impact productivity and reduce overall communication performance.

Google Voice doesn’t offer an auto-reply feature, which means agents cannot automatically send responses to calls or messages. This limitation can lead to slower response times, reduced customer satisfaction, and challenges in managing a high volume of communications.

Google Voice is limited in the number of users, with the base business plan supporting only ten users. This may not be suitable for growing companies that need to manage a larger team. Though you can extend the number of users by upgrading to higher-tier plans, it comes with additional costs.

Google Voice doesn’t provide or support toll-free numbers. This can restrict your business from offering free and easy-to-remember contact options. As a result, your business may miss out on opportunities to enhance your customer services and brand presence.

Google Voice with a free version is only available in the US, and the business version is only available in 14 countries. These include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Google Voice is also not accessible for these regions of the US: Alaska, Hawaii, the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Island, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. So, it may not be an ideal option for businesses looking to expand globally.

Google Voice is typically safe to use. The free version of Google Voice does not comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) though.

However, the paid version of Google Voice, which starts from $10 per user/month, does compile with HIPPA and is considered safer. The paid version also uses an enhanced encryption tool called Google Voice encryption to secure users’ data with data recovery features, making it more secure and reliable.

Determining a phone system depends on factors, such as costs, communication features, business needs, and budget. Google Voice offers features like affordable international calling, ease of number porting, video conferencing, and more. However, it also has some major limitations, including limited integration and user availability, which are crucial for businesses. So, other VoIP providers with advanced business communication features can be better alternatives.

For companies seeking more robust solutions, Calilio provides greater flexibility, scalability, and advanced communication features for individuals and firms of all sizes. Moreover, it is available in more than 100 countries, offering better communication solutions for companies that run their business activities internationally. Sign Up today.

Google Voice for Business is suitable for small and medium-sized companies that need to operate their business activities within 14 specific countries, including the US and Canada.

People use Google Voice to communicate seamlessly between individuals, business partners, and team members at a lower cost globally.

Google Voice offers affordable communication solutions for both personal and business use. It comes with many features, including an auto-attendant that efficiently routes calls and manages greetings without requiring a live operator.

Google Voice's cost depends upon its two categories: Personal Use and Business Use. While Google Voice personal is free to use, Google Voice for business has three-tier pricing and plans. These include a Starter plan for $10 per user/month, a Standard plan for $20 per user/month, and a Premier plan for $30 per user/ month.