Wrong Number?

Why VAs Need a Good VoIP Solution (and Key Factors to Consider)

Using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) means you can make and receive calls over the internet through a software application (a “softphone”) or a VoIP desk phone, rather than a traditional landline.

For VAs, this offers significant benefits: you can have an Australian phone number (or multiple numbers for different clients) that rings wherever you are, low call costs (especially for interstate or international calls), and features like voicemail-to-email, call routing, recording, and more.

It also creates a professional image – clients’ customers will dial a business number and reach the VA seamlessly, without needing the VA to use their personal phone.

When choosing a VoIP/softphone provider in Australia, consider these key factors:

• Australian Numbers & Coverage
  • Ensure the provider can issue local Australian phone numbers (DIDs) or toll-free 1300/1800 numbers as needed.
  • This is crucial so callers can reach you via a familiar local number.
  • Most international VoIP services do offer Aussie numbers, but double-check availability.
• Call Volume & Usage Pattern
  • Are you handling only occasional calls for one client at a low volume?
  • Or will you be managing regular daily calls or multiple clients’ lines?
  • Some providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing that’s economical for infrequent use, while others have unlimited call plans better suited to high-volume use. (We’ll break down options for each scenario below.)
• Features Needed
  • Think about functionality like voicemail, call transfer, IVR menus, call recording, integration with CRM or helpdesk, etc. Larger-scale services (e.g. business phone systems) include advanced features, whereas bare-bones services focus on just providing a dial tone.
  • Don’t pay for bells and whistles you won’t use, but ensure must-haves (like voicemail or multiple extensions) are supported by your chosen provider.
• Scalability and Multi-Number Support
  • If you plan to answer calls for multiple clients (virtual reception service), you’ll need either multiple numbers or a phone system that can handle several lines on one app.
  • Some providers make it easy to manage multiple DIDs from one account, and even display which number was called so you can answer with the right business name. (We’ll cover specific solutions for this scenario.)
• Cost and Contracts
  • Pricing varies widely, from free plans to premium per-user subscriptions.
  • We’ll highlight the costs for each option (in AUD or USD as applicable) and note whether they require contracts. (Prices correct at time of publishing. Refer to providers for current rates.)
  • Many modern VoIP services are month-to-month with no lock-in, which is great for flexibility.
  • Also, consider if you need to purchase any hardware or if a software app on your existing computer/phone will suffice (most likely, a softphone app is all you need).

With these factors in mind, let’s dive into the comparison of providers, grouped by use case, to help you find the best fit.

Low-Volume or Occasional Calls: Pay-as-You-Go and Free Options

If you only handle calls sporadically (for example, a VA who occasionally makes/receives calls on behalf of a client, or a solo business owner/VA on a tight budget), you’ll want an option that minimises fixed monthly fees.

The following solutions let you pay little or nothing per month and instead pay per call or per minute, or even use free services where possible.

These are ideal when call volume is low and you don’t need a full-blown business phone system.

• CrazyTel (Australian VoIP Provider)
  • A highly affordable Aussie-based option, CrazyTel offers a $0 monthly “PAYG” plan – you just pay around $0.09 per local call (untimed to landlines) and $0.05 per minute to mobiles, plus $0.25 for 13/1300 calls.
  • For slightly heavier use, their “Craycray” unlimited plan is only $8 per month and includes unlimited local, national, and mobile calls within Australia – extremely good value for sole traders or home offices.
  • Features include free number porting, voicemail-to-email, call forwarding and failover (backup routing) even on the PAYG plan.
  • CrazyTel is great for individuals who want a cheap, no-frills solution with an Aussie number. You’ll need to use your own softphone app or device (they support standard SIP), but setup is straightforward.
• SipTalk
  • Another Australia-based VoIP company (Melbourne) that has served small businesses for ~20 years.
  • SipTalk also provides pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly fee, and competitive call rates (approximately $0.11 per minute to Australian mobiles).
  • They offer lots of features even on prepaid accounts, including an AI receptionist (automated attendant), conferencing, and voicemail-to-email.
  • SipTalk is known for its reliability and also offers fixed plans – for example, they list a $3.30/month option for unlimited local calls and a $11/month add-on for unlimited 13/1300 calls.
  • This flexibility makes it a solid choice for small biz use – you can start PAYG and upgrade to a bundle if needed. As with CrazyTel, you’d bring your own softphone or IP phone (or they can help set up a device).
• Generic VoIP Number Providers (Sonetel, FlyNumber, etc.)
  • There are global services that sell virtual phone numbers in many countries at very low cost, which you can then answer via an app or forward to your phone.
  • For example, Sonetel offers Australian local numbers from around $2.69 USD (~$4 AUD) per month, and you can answer calls for free in their mobile app (or forward to your mobile for the cost of a local call).
  • Similarly, FlyNumber provides Aussie numbers at about $2.95 USD per month and has options to either use a web/phone app or forward calls to any phone (pay per minute). These services are great for a VA who might need multiple numbers (e.g., one for each client) on a budget – each number is cheap, and you manage them all in one account.
  • They often have pay-as-you-go calling rates or small subscriptions for outbound calls.
  • Keep in mind, these are no-contract and very flexible.
  • The trade-off is that support might be limited and you won’t get advanced PBX features beyond basics like voicemail, caller ID, and perhaps an IVR. But for a simple virtual number solution, they’re hard to beat on price.
• Skype (Microsoft Teams) – Note: Transition in 2025
  • Historically, many VAs and freelancers used Skype for an online Australian number and cheap outgoing calls. Skype did offer Australian numbers for about $6.50 AUD per month and had calling subscriptions (e.g., unlimited calls in Australia for a monthly fee).
  • However, Skype is being retired in 2025 and Microsoft is moving users to Teams for consumer calling. If you already have a Skype Number, you may port it to another provider or transition into Teams.
  • Microsoft Teams (the free version) can be used for internet calling and meetings, but to call regular phone numbers, you’d need a Microsoft 365 Business Voice subscription or a third-party calling plan, which may not be cost-effective for a solo VA.
  • In short, Skype/Teams could be an option if you’re already in that ecosystem, but given the changes and the availability of other cheap Aussie VoIP services, new users might be better off with alternatives like those above.
• Free App-to-App Calling (WhatsApp, Zoom, etc.)
  • These aren’t full VoIP phone services, but it’s worth mentioning: if your call needs are purely internal or with known contacts, you could use free internet calling via apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, or Zoom.
  • For example, Zoom now has Zoom Phone plans (from ~$10/user/month for metered, $15 for unlimited in some regions), but the free Zoom or WhatsApp let you make voice calls over data at no cost.
  • However, these don’t give you a public phone number for customers to dial – so they’re not suitable for receiving client calls from the outside world. They’re more of a supplement for quick team communications.
  • For professional VA services, you’ll likely stick to a provider that offers a real phone number as discussed above.
• 3CX Free Plan (DIY PBX)
  • If you’re a bit tech-savvy or have IT support, 3CX is a software-based phone system that you can host yourself or use via their cloud.
  • Notably, 3CX has a Standard Plan that is free for a basic instance. This could allow a VA or small business to set up a mini PBX with a couple of extensions and one or two lines without licensing costs.
  • You’d still need a SIP trunk (from any provider, like the ones above) for the actual Australian number and minutes, but 3CX would handle the call management features. It includes things like IVR, call queues, voicemail, and even video meetings in the paid tiers.
  • The Pro and Enterprise plans (more features, more concurrent calls/users) start around $20.83 and $25.25 USD per user/month, respectively.
  • The free tier might suit a solo VA who wants to experiment with a professional PBX setup at no software cost, though configuration is more involved than a plug-and-play service.
• AVOXI Launch Plan
  • AVOXI is a global VoIP provider that, like Sonetel, operates in many countries.
  • One unique offering is their “Launch” plan, which costs $0 per user/month – essentially a free platform to start with (you likely pay for minutes or purchase numbers à la carte).
  • They then have paid plans at $19.99 and $39.99 per user/month with more features included.
  • AVOXI could be an option if you want a scalable service that you can start for free; for a VA handling a few calls, you might get by on the pay-per-use model until your needs grow.

Choosing among low-cost options: If your priority is minimising cost for occasional calls, consider an Aussie-focused provider like CrazyTel or SipTalk for their ultra-cheap PAYG rates – you’ll get local support and solid call quality.

If you need to manage multiple numbers for multiple clients, a service like Sonetel or FlyNumber is attractive for its multi-country number offerings and low monthly number fees (you could have, say, three different local numbers for three clients, for under $15/month total).

For a balance of both, you might even mix and match – e.g., use CrazyTel for one main line with an unlimited $8 plan and add a Sonetel number for a temporary client. The good news is these have no long contracts, so you can trial what works.

One more thing: with any of these, you’ll use a softphone app on your PC or smartphone to make/receive calls. Many providers have their own app or a web-phone.

Alternatively, you can use third-party softphone apps (like Zoiper, Linphone, or MicroSIP) by entering the SIP credentials the provider gives you. This means even the barebones providers become as easy to use as opening an app and hitting dial.

Make sure the app or provider supports push notifications or running in the background so you don’t miss calls.

Regular or High-Volume Calls: Feature-Rich Business VoIP Services

If you (or your VA team) will be handling calls regularly throughout the day – for example, a busy virtual reception service or a VA who manages customer support/sales calls – it’s worth looking at more fully-featured VoIP phone systems.

These typically charge per user per month and include a bundle of unlimited calling and advanced functionality.

They are designed for businesses and teams, offering things like multiple extensions, call routing rules, integrations with CRM tools, and better support.

Below we compare some top options that are available in Australia (either via local datacenters or at least offering Australian numbers).

• JustCall: JustCall is an international VoIP platform that has a strong presence in Australia. It is designed for sales and support teams, with features like CRM integration, SMS, and even AI-powered voice analysis.
  • For a VA operation, JustCall could serve as a ready-to-go virtual phone system. Their pricing (as of 2025) is $29 USD per user/month for the “Team” plan and $49 per user/month for the “Pro” plan.
  • These plans include unlimited local and national calls in Australia (mobiles and landlines) so you don’t worry about minute charges. The Team plan comes with essentials (calling, texting, integrations), while Pro adds power dialer, call monitoring, analytics, etc.
  • JustCall is a good choice if you have multiple VA team members making calls and you want a sophisticated but user-friendly system – it’s cloud-based, works on computer or mobile, and requires minimal setup.
  • Keep in mind the prices are per user, so if you’re a solo VA it might be overkill, but for a small team it scales nicely.
• Dialpad: Dialpad is another modern VoIP provider (with a focus on AI features) that is available in Australia.
  • It’s known for excellent voice transcription and AI assistance – e.g., live call transcripts and sentiment analysis to help you gauge caller mood.
  • Dialpad’s plans start at $15 USD per user/month for the Standard plan, which includes unlimited calling within your country, and go up to $25 per user for Pro with more features (and an Enterprise tier for large orgs).
  • Dialpad works across devices (there’s a very easy-to-use mobile and desktop app) and could be great if you value things like voicemail transcription or often need to take notes – it basically does it for you via AI.
  • For a VA who spends a lot of time on calls and wants to maximise productivity, Dialpad’s real-time transcription and coaching features can be a game-changer.
• 8×8: 8×8 is a leading Unified Communications provider globally and is available in Australia.
  • They offer a full suite of communication (phone, video meetings, chat) in one. 8×8 has a reputation for strong reliability and has features like call recording, queues, and integrations.
  • Plans are tiered; for example, 8×8’s X2 plan is about $24 USD per user/month, and X4 is around $44 USD per user/month, with X2 covering unlimited calls in a few countries and X4 adding more features like call analytics and call quality reporting.
  • They also have an entry-level 8×8 Express at around $12 USD/user for small teams. For a VA or small business, the X2 plan is usually sufficient – it includes unlimited calling in Australia and some other zones, voicemail, auto-attendant (IVR), and Microsoft Teams integration.
  • 8×8 is a great choice if you want a tried-and-tested UCaaS platform where you can also consolidate video conferencing and team messaging in one service. It’s also good if you might expand internationally, since 8×8 plans often include unlimited calling to multiple countries (handy if you have overseas clients).
• RingCentral: RingCentral is another big name in cloud phone systems, comparable to 8×8.
  • They offer local Australian numbers and have an Australian presence. RingCentral’s plans (according to recent guides) start around $20 USD per user/month for a basic plan when paid annually (slightly more if month-to-month).
  • Mid-tier plans run ~$25–$30 USD/user with additional features. RingCentral is known for being a robust, all-in-one platform: unlimited calls within supported countries, video meetings, a polished mobile app, and a huge range of integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.).
  • One standout feature is their AI-based virtual receptionist (recently introduced), which can greet and route calls using speech recognition. For an example relevant to VAs: RingCentral (and 8×8 alike) let you set up multiple extensions or departments – so if you are answering for several clients, you could set up each client as a “department” or have multiple direct numbers on your account, then configure distinct call handling for each. However, these services do charge per user login.
  • If you’re a single VA managing all calls, you only need one user license and you can add multiple numbers to that (additional numbers might cost around $5 each per month).
  • If you have a VA team, each concurrent user would need a license. RingCentral might be the priciest of the bunch, but it’s often praised for quality and an extensive feature set (it’s a leader in the unified communications space alongside 8×8).
• Aircall: Aircall is a cloud phone system geared toward call centres and support teams.
  • It’s available in Australia and offers a very user-friendly interface with deep integrations (like CRM, helpdesks). Aircall might be appealing if you plan to have multiple VAs taking calls as a team or need detailed analytics on call performance.
  • Pricing for Aircall is approximately $30 USD per user/month for the Essentials plan and $50 per user for Professional, with custom enterprise options beyond that. It doesn’t have a free tier, and they charge per user like others.
  • Aircall is often noted for its simplicity and strong support. A possible downside in the Aussie context: Aircall’s software sometimes had issues with Bluetooth devices and occasional connection drops – something to consider if you rely on wireless headsets.
  • Overall, if you run a virtual reception service handling high call volumes, Aircall provides the tools for queue management, live monitoring (listening in or whisper coaching), and tagging calls by account – features that can help you juggle multiple client lines professionally.
• CloudTalk: CloudTalk is another player similar to Aircall, providing cloud contact centre software.
  • They do operate in Australia and support both inbound and outbound call needs for call centres.
  • CloudTalk’s pricing starts around $25 USD per user/month for a Starter plan, going up to $50 per user for expert tier.
  • It boasts intelligent call routing, IVR, call recording, and a long list of CRM integrations. CloudTalk might be considered if you need to monitor a high volume of calls and perhaps integrate with tools like Zendesk or Shopify (for e-commerce client calls).
  • For a single VA it’s likely overkill, but for a VA agency or team it’s worth evaluating alongside Aircall and JustCall.
• MaxoTel: Maxo Telecommunications is an Australian-based VoIP provider that offers both basic VoIP plans and full hosted PBX solutions.
  • They are somewhat lesser-known outside of tech circles but offer excellent value. For example, MaxoTel’s Everyday PAYG plan is $9.95 AUD per user/month and then calls are charged at $0.10 per local call and $0.13/min to mobiles.
  • They also have an Unlimited plan at $29.95 AUD per user/month, which includes all calls in Australia. MaxoTel includes advanced PBX features (IVR, ring groups, voicemail to email, etc.) and supports “BYO” devices or softphones.
  • The nice thing about MaxoTel for a VA is that it’s local – you get Australian-based support and they understand the local telecom environment (porting numbers, 13/1300 numbers, etc.).
  • If you want a serious business phone system with local reliability, MaxoTel is a top contender.
  • It can scale from a single user to many, and there’s no lock-in contract. Consider MaxoTel if you prefer to support an Aussie provider and want the peace of mind of local customer service while still getting competitive pricing on plans.
• Other Telco Offerings (Telstra, Optus, TPG): Major Australian telecoms also have VoIP solutions, typically bundled with internet or aimed at small offices.
  • For instance, Telstra’s Digital Voice or “Cloud Calling” can come included if you have a Telstra business-grade NBN plan – e.g., around $50 per month might get you a fixed-line VoIP service with unlimited calls.
  • Optus has Optus Loop, a cloud PBX for small business, with a plan around $40 per month that includes a virtual receptionist, IVR, and an app for mobile. TPG and Aussie Broadband likewise offer VoIP add-ons or bundles (TPG’s offering is more focused on 13/1300 numbers and often requires a 12-month contract).
  • The upside of going with a telco is integration with your internet service and potentially dedicated support.
  • The downside is these plans can be a bit less flexible (contracts, or needing to use their router/adapter) and not as feature-rich as the cloud-native providers. As Geeks2U notes, if it’s a home VoIP plan included with your broadband, it’s not advisable to run a serious business on it – you might hit limitations or quality issues.
  • But for completeness, know that if you already use Telstra, for example, you might be eligible for a free or low-cost VoIP line on your account – just don’t rely on a residential-grade service for professional VA work without thorough testing.

Deciding among full-featured options: If you are a solo VA with moderate call volume but need quality and features, something like Dialpad or 8×8 X2 could be perfect – reasonably priced and packed with functionality, plus no-fuss setup.

If you are running a VA team or virtual receptionist service with multiple staff and clients, consider Aircall, CloudTalk, or RingCentral, which are built for multi-line, multi-user environments.

Budget-wise, the per-user services might seem expensive if you compare $30/month vs a $0/month PAYG service – but remember these include unlimited calls (which can save money if you’re on the phone a lot) and they bring professional capabilities (your clients may appreciate the clear call quality, hold music, etc., that cheaper setups sometimes lack).

It often comes down to the scale and complexity of your operation: one line and a few calls, stick to the simpler services; many calls and needing advanced call handling, invest in a robust provider.

Handling Multiple Clients’ Calls – Best Approaches for VAs

One special scenario to discuss is the virtual receptionist use case: you, as a VA, answer inbound calls for several different client businesses.

This means on a 9 am call, you might be “Company A Reception”, and at 10 am, you answer “Good morning, Company B”. To do this smoothly, you’ll want a phone setup that supports multiple incoming numbers and helps you identify which client the caller is trying to reach.

Here are some tips and solutions for multi-client call handling:

• Use Separate Phone Numbers
  • The most straightforward way is to have each client forward their existing business number to a unique number you control, or have you directly give each client their own dedicated number to publish.
  • Many VoIP providers allow multiple DIDs on one account. For example, with Sonetel or FlyNumber, you can easily add multiple local numbers (each for a low monthly fee as noted earlier) and have them all ring to your softphone app.
  • These systems will display the number that was dialled, so you know how to answer.
  • FlyNumber’s dashboard, for instance, can display which line the call is coming through, and Sonetel’s app can label calls by the number as well.
  • The cost is minimal (a few dollars per client per month), making this approach cost-effective.
  • The only potential challenge is juggling the call flows, but you can set distinctive ring tones or on-screen labels to differentiate clients.
• Cloud PBX with IVR
  • Another approach is to use a mini phone system and give each client a branch on it.
  • For example, with 3CX or a hosted PBX like MaxoTel, you could purchase one main number and have an IVR menu that the caller hears (“Press 1 for Company A, 2 for Company B…”), or get direct-inward-dial numbers for each company that land in separate call queues or ring groups.
  • As the VA, you could be a member of all those ring groups. When a call comes in, the system can show a prefix or label identifying which group/IVR option was chosen (e.g., your phone could display “[Company A] Caller ID”).
  • This setup is a bit more advanced, but it’s quite feasible. MaxoTel or other hosted PBXs allow multiple DIDs and you can name them in the portal.
  • This way, you have one account/login but can professionally manage calls for many brands.
• Dedicated Call Centre Software
  • If you are scaling up, software like Aircall or CloudTalk mentioned above is inherently built for managing multiple numbers and call campaigns.
  • You can assign different numbers to different “teams” or queues within the app.
  • For instance, Aircall lets you set up multiple numbers, and you can share them with different team members or keep them all to yourself if you’re solo; you’ll see on the screen which number the incoming call is for.
  • They also support workflows like tagging calls or integrating with multiple CRMs – so if each client has their own CRM, you could, in theory, integrate all and have calls log to the right place based on the number dialled.
  • These services do come at a higher price per user, so you’d want to justify it with sufficient call volume or by charging your clients accordingly for a premium live answering service.

No matter which technical route you choose, preparation is key: ensure you have clear protocols for each client (their preferred greeting, how to handle certain callers or emergencies, how to take messages).

The technology can only route the call; it’s up to the VA to seamlessly switch hats.

Thankfully, having the right VoIP setup that clearly indicates the call source reduces the chance of greeting the caller with the wrong company name.

It’s a good practice to test each line – call each number and see what your softphone displays, and tweak any labels as needed.

Balancing Budget and Availability: Flexible VA Call Handling Arrangements

One big advantage of outsourcing phone tasks to a VA is flexibility in cost.

You can tailor how and when calls are handled to match your client’s budget and workload.

Essentially, you have two approaches:

• Scheduled Call Handling at Standard VA Rates
  • In this model, your clients engage you to handle calls only at certain times or in batches, and you charge your normal hourly rate for the time you work. For example, they might book you to return calls twice a day – say, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon – rather than answering every call live.
  • During those call sessions, and perhaps a dedicated hour for each, you will return voicemails and make any necessary outgoing calls, then spend your remaining time on off-phone tasks. This way, you can reassure your client that they are not paying for idle time.
  • This works well if your client’s call volume is low or if immediate live answering isn’t critical for every call.
  • You might use your VoIP system’s features to support this. For instance, voicemail-to-email ensures any missed calls get logged for you to follow up, or an IVR menu could inform callers of your callback schedule (“Please leave a message and our assistant will return your call within the hour”). This approach keeps costs predictable at your standard hourly rate and maximises your productivity.
• On-Demand Live Answering at a Premium Rate
  • If your client needs all calls answered live during business hours, you can arrange to be on standby, ready to take calls at any moment.
  • If you want to accommodate this, we highly recommend charging a much higher hourly rate for dedicated availability. For example, our Rates Report indicates that some VAs charge $90 – 170/hr (or similar) for dedicated virtual reception services.
  • The key detail is you are only billing for the time spent actually answering calls, even though you are on call for the whole day.
  • In practice, you might log, say, 15 minutes of actual call time in an 8-hour span (and you’d pay a prorated amount of that high hourly rate).
  • This arrangement ensures any incoming call during business hours gets answered by a real person with your client’s custom greeting. It’s essentially like having a virtual receptionist on call all day.
  • The cost per hour of talk time is high, but if calls are infrequent, it can still be affordable, and your clients get the benefit of immediate customer service when their customers call.
  • To make this efficient, you’d use your VoIP provider’s features such as simultaneous ring or a login status: the system will only ring for you when you are logged in, and if you are unavailable (say briefly on another line), you could have a backup such as a voicemail or a secondary VA (list your subcontractor role here!).

Many VA contractors, teams and agencies offer both of the above models. You choose your preference based on how critical instant answering is versus your client’s budget tolerance for idle time costs.

With a good VoIP system, you can implement either smoothly, e.g., use scheduling features to only forward calls during set hours, or use call queues to keep a call ringing until the available VA picks up when doing full-time coverage.

In summary, align your client’s VoIP setup with your preferred VA service offering: If you opt for scheduled callbacks, ensure your phone system has a professional voicemail greeting and sends messages for you to action when you are next online. If you opt for full availability, ensure you are equipped with a reliable softphone app and a headset so you don’t miss calls.

Conclusion: Finding Your Ideal VoIP Solution

Choosing the right VoIP/softphone provider as a VA in Australia comes down to understanding your call patterns and business needs. To recap:

• If you only need to make or take a few calls here and there, low-cost providers like CrazyTel or SipTalk (with PAYG rates and sub-$10 plans) are excellent, as are global virtual number services for multi-number flexibility. These keep monthly costs near zero and let you pay only for what you use – perfect for occasional calls or a tight budget.
• If you’re handling daily calls or working in a team, investing in a reputable business VoIP service (Dialpad, 8×8, RingCentral, JustCall, etc.) will pay off in call quality, reliability, and features. Expect to pay on the order of $15–$30 USD (about $20–$45 AUD) per user/month for many of these full-featured platforms. They deliver unlimited calling and professional tools that help you and your clients project a big-business presence.
• For multiple clients and higher complexity, ensure your chosen solution supports multiple lines and clear identification of incoming calls. Many providers do so through either multiple DIDs on one account or advanced call routing. You might lean towards services like Aircall/CloudTalk for built-in multi-number management, or roll your own setup with multiple cheap DIDs on a single softphone if you’re comfortable tinkering. The ability to manage several clients’ calls on one device is a game-changer for virtual receptionists – just plan it out and test thoroughly.
• Always keep an eye on pricing vs usage: Don’t automatically spring for an unlimited plan if you realistically only take a handful of calls – pay-as-you-go might save you a lot (remember, VoIP calls are generally very cheap per minute). Conversely, if you’re burning through minutes, an unlimited plan at $30/month is far better than racking up overages on a PAYG plan. As one guide noted, VoIP services in Australia can start from just $10/month, so there’s no need to overpay if your needs are basic.

Finally, leverage the flexibility of outsourcing: coordinate with your clients how they want calls handled and choose a VA arrangement that balances cost and responsiveness. Whether it’s batching calls or having an on-demand receptionist, the right VoIP setup will support that strategy with features like scheduling, voicemail, and call forwarding.

By conducting a thorough examination of the options and matching them to your situation, you can confidently select a VoIP/softphone solution that keeps you and your clients connected and customers happy.

With the information above, you’re well on your way to making an informed decision – and once you have your system in place, you’ll wonder how you managed without the convenience and cost savings of a great VoIP service.

Here’s to clear calls and successful collaborations!