Why Small Businesses in Maine Should Switch to VoIP — And What to Watch Out For
Your Phone Bill Is Probably Too High
If you’re a small business owner in Maine still running traditional phone lines, I’ve got some news for you — you’re almost certainly overpaying. I’ve helped dozens of businesses make the switch to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and the savings alone usually make people wonder why they didn’t do it sooner.
VoIP lets you make and receive calls over your internet connection instead of copper phone lines. That means lower monthly costs, way more features, and the flexibility to take your business phone with you anywhere — your cell, your laptop, even a tablet at the coffee shop.
What You Actually Get With VoIP
Beyond the cost savings (we’re talking 40-60% less for most small businesses), VoIP gives you tools that used to be reserved for big corporate setups. Think auto-attendants that greet your callers professionally, call routing so you never miss an important call, voicemail-to-email, call recording, and even AI-powered features like automated text-back when you miss a call.
For a small shop or service business, that kind of professional presence can be a game-changer. Your customers don’t need to know it’s just you and a couple of employees — your phone system can make you sound like a Fortune 500 company.
What to Watch Out For
Now, VoIP isn’t perfect. Here’s where I see businesses run into trouble:
First, your internet connection matters. If you’ve got spotty rural internet (and I know that’s real here in Maine), your call quality will suffer. Before switching, make sure you’ve got a stable connection with at least 100kbps per concurrent call — and ideally much more.
Second, not all VoIP providers are created equal. Some lock you into contracts, charge hidden fees, or give you a clunky system that’s hard to manage. I personally recommend self-hosted solutions like FreePBX for businesses that want full control, but hosted options work great too if you want something hands-off.
Third, don’t skip the setup. A poorly configured VoIP system is worse than no VoIP system. Get someone who knows what they’re doing to handle the installation and configuration — trust me, it’ll save you headaches down the road.
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you’re curious about whether VoIP is right for your business, I’m happy to chat. I’ve been setting up and managing phone systems for years, and I can give you a straight answer about what would work best for your situation.
Got questions? Reach out at jeremy@lizzotte.com or use my contact form.
— Jeremy Lizzotte