Valued at around $30 billion and employing over 5.5 million agents, the cloud contact center market offers incredible opportunities for businesses of all scales. From routing inbound calls to managing omnichannel marketing strategies, you can get an on-premise call center on steroids – a cloud call center – at a laughable $100 a month.
In 2017, only a quarter of contact centers were hosted on the cloud, but the trend was clear. Five years later, cloud contact centers are mainstream for the undeniable benefits over their on-premise predecessors.
First off, let’s pinpoint the differences (if any) between cloud call and contact centers.
Cloud-based call and contact centers are request-solving customer management systems hosted by a service provider. Long story short, cloud-based call and contact centers are improved analogs of on-premise call and contact centers, allowing businesses to enjoy the benefits of both worlds while not burdening themselves with the dirty job of maintenance, support, and repair.
Cloud-based contact center beat their on-premise counterparts with a stick in every dimension:
| Cloud Call and Contact Centers | On-premise Call and Contact Centers |
| Complex setup process | No setup needed |
| Unscalable | Unlimited scalability |
| Inflexible | Unlimited flexibility |
| Medium-quality customer service | High-quality customer service |
| Hefty upfront investment of thousands of dollars | No upfront investment but a small monthly fee |
Cloud call centers and cloud contact centers are not exactly the same thing. The former handle exclusively phone calls, whereas cloud contact centers process communications across multiple channels, including phone calls, text messages, faxing, and other touchpoints. Cloud call centers are quite narrow-focused, whereas cloud contact centers enable a plethora of omnichannel marketing strategies with much more flexibility in the transition between touchpoints.
That said, much of our focus will be on phone calls as the backbone of online business. Whether you sell real estate, insurance, or language courses, at least 65% of your customers will call you, of which up to 50% will convert. The conversion rate for a well-designed cloud-based call center is absurd: up to 15 times higher than that of web leads!
For the purpose of this article – dissecting the best call and contact center software – it would be safe to assume that cloud call and contact centers are the same, as they indeed are as far as cloud phone call solutions are concerned.
Without further ado, let’s dig into it.
The biggest advantage of cloud call centers is not their implementation cost but the fact that they support myriads of integrations and thus can improve as new cloud-based contact center software hits the market. From IVR to cloud PBX to predictive modeling, there are dozens of cloud-based call center solutions to generate and convert more calls.
Below are the eight most powerful hosted call center solutions – all easily integrable with your cloud-based call center – to elevate your online business.
The Voice over Internet Protocol has long become one of the most popular cloud call center solutions, with the number of VoIP subscriptions tripled in just ten years. VoIP-driven phone systems enable calls over the Internet from any device, whether a mobile phone, tablet, desktop PC, or even smartwatch.
VoIP converts a speaker’s voice – analog signals – into digital signals to transfer the call over the Internet and then unpacks digital signals back into the speaker’s voice to enable the call. As a result, your VoIP cloud-based contact center can make and receive cheap international calls.
If VoIP is a technology, then a cloud PBX is a fully-fledged digital infrastructure solution for a contact center, enabling the full range of Internet communications, such as phone calls, text messaging, voicemail, and faxing. Most cloud PBX systems use VoIP as the underlying technology for transferring data over the Internet.
| Integrations | Cutting-edge cloud call centers built on PBX support every existing integration for call monitoring and management.
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| Flexibility | Cloud-based PBX enables calls from any location and Internet-connected device, whether a mobile phone, PC, or tablet. As businesses emerge from the pandemic, having the capacity for remote work is especially essential. |
| Scalability | Cloud-based PBX can easily scale up or down as the call volume changes. Whether seasonal fluctuations or steady growth, your cloud PBX will maintain peak performance while not sacrificing the quality of service. With an on-premise call center, you must hire more sales reps as the call volume grows. With a cloud PBX system integrated into a virtual call center, you direct callers to other touchpoints, such as IVR, voicemail, and text messaging, optimizing the caller’s journey. |
| Low Cost | Cloud PBX doesn’t require an upfront investment, nor do you need to maintain the system. You will save on technicians and never run out of business due to hardware and software breakdowns or security breaches. Even when switching providers or expanding, you can do it while keeping your main business numbers, provided they are portable in the first place. |
| Reliability | Most cloud-based PBX systems have built-in redundancy to escape the bottleneck of slow Internet connection and power outages. If one of the servers goes down, another server supports the system. |
Cloud-based PBX systems are incredibly cost-efficient for long-distance calls, allowing you to cater to heterogeneous audiences across the globe as if they are just around the corner. Whether insurance, finance, or home services, an advanced cloud PBX will convert more callers while taking the pressure off your sales reps.
| Call Routing | Call routing technologies – intelligent call routing, rule-based routing, or a mix of hard rules, speech recognition, and machine learning – will help you connect callers to the right agent. For example, you may want to exclude new agents from receiving high-value calls, or you may want to direct local callers to local agents. Advanced call routing software will bring such whims to life. |
| Call Forwarding | Call forwarding redirects phone calls to a relevant office, department, or live operator. For example, if one of your offices doesn’t work late hours, you can auto-redirect calls to an operating office. Alternatively, you can allow your live reps to forward inbound calls manually at the press of a button. At the same time, the caller won’t even know that they are redirected: neither your phone number changes nor the time on hold increases. Call forwarding makes inbound calls more efficient while not sacrificing customer experience in any imaginable way. |
| Call Transfer | Transferring ongoing calls to a more appropriate agent will help you avoid an unfavorable situation when the caller must re-dial to get quality service. Up to 75% of callers will abandon you once they hang up, making the call transfer feature indispensable for a cloud contact center. |
| Caller ID | With caller ID, you can pre-select the name or number to display on the customer’s device upon the call, making the right first impression and preparing the customer for the call. |
| Number Portability | Number portability will preserve your most profitable business numbers – or the ones you want to keep – when switching providers or expanding while maintaining a unified communications infrastructure. |
Interactive Voice Response has come a long way to become the number one cloud contact center solution. Almost every call-reliant business uses an IVR system, as it is impossible to handle an increasing number of calls manually.
However, not all IVR systems are the same, relying on different technologies: speech recognition, natural language processing, or mere keypad selections.
| Keypad Selections | Keypad selection is the most familiar call processing technology when a caller climbs the tree of choices using their phone’s keypad. |
| Speech Recognition | Speech recognition compares the caller’s speech with the recorded commands and serves the caller once the match is found. |
| Natural Language Processing | Natural language processing interprets the caller’s intent rather than comparing the caller’s speech with the recorded commands. |
Want to learn IVR technologies through and through? Read this all-encompassing guide on IVR software and how it can help your business.
Working hand-in-hand with an IVR system, an automatic call distributor (ACD) routes inbound calls based on demographics, psychographics, history of purchases, agent availability, and other pre-set parameters. Likewise, it enables the callback option so your callers can schedule when they want to hear from you.
Here’s how an ACD works:
Even a successfully converted call won’t give you much in the long run if you don’t learn from this call. But what can you learn from a business phone call? Well, more than you think.
Assuming the caller first spoke to your IVR and then a sales rep, you can track three sets of data:
Collecting caller insights is half the job – the other half is interpreting these insights into effective marketing and sales strategies. If done manually, this would require tons of resources and always lag in the ever-evolving market. On the other hand, software-driven call analytics will keep you on the ball while saving your resources for tasks requiring a human touch.
| Comparison Reports | Comparing heterogeneous data sets put things into perspective, revealing your most and least successful strategies, audiences, and live operators |
| Traffic Flow Reports | Knowing the callers you deal with – exclusive, high-intent, shared, etc. – enables effective call processing strategies to generate and convert more inbound and outbound calls |
| Filter Analyzer | Uncovering untapped revenue streams maximizes your online presence and enables effective expansion to new markets |
Other software will have a different toolkit, but the point is that it must supply your cloud-based call center with actionable call processing insights, such as, for example, suggested updates of your call tree or a possibility for expansion.
Spare 30 minutes of your time to learn to maximize your business with call analytics.
Speaking of expansion, you might need predictive modeling to simulate different strategies by toggling the variables you want to change. With predictive modeling, you don’t need to try anything in the real world but can simulate an infinite array of outcomes at no cost. Sooner or later, you will find that golden opportunity!
You may want to buy or sell a portion of phone calls coming to your cloud call center. And you’re not alone. Lead trade is a popular diversification strategy among businesses unwilling to rely solely on their marketing channels.
However, you can’t trade calls just like that – you need ping tree technology.
But then again, real-time call bidding isn’t the same with all ping trees, differentiating in settings, fees, and other nuances. Among other ping trees, you may want to try Phonexa’s Ping Post Calls 2.0 as a technology that makes all parties – advertisers, publishers, and callers – better off after the trade.
What does this mean in practice?
What if you could get everything you need for your cloud call center in one package while not overpaying for the excessive features? This is exactly what Phonexa offers.
With Phonexa, you can access all eight cloud call center technologies or customize your subscription plan however you see fit.
Choose your subscription plan now to get access to Cloud PBX, Call Logic, LMS Sync, and other Phonexa’s proprietary technologies for calls and clicks.
Schedule a consultation to learn more.
What is a cloud-based call center?
A cloud-based call center is a virtual solution for handling customer calls over the Internet. Unlike its on-premise analog, a cloud call center integrates with advanced call technologies like call tracking, distribution, and analytics, making it a potent business solution. As a user, you only pay a monthly fee while everything else – set up, maintenance, repair, etc. – is handled by your service provider.
With call management software, a cloud call center can receive and make calls from any device, perform on-the-fly and post-call call analytics, and create an effective call routing tree. That said, a cloud call center works exclusively with calls, not other types of commutation like text, live chat, or email.
What is a cloud contact center?
A cloud contact center is an Internet-based solution for customer service that embraces a wide pool of touchpoints, including email, social media, live chat, text, SMS, and faxing. As a user, you only pay a monthly fee while everything else – set up, maintenance, repair, etc. – is handled by your service provider.
What is the difference between a cloud-based call center and a cloud-based contact center?
A cloud call center only handles calls, whereas a cloud contact center handles the full range of communications, including email, social media, live chat, text, SMS, and faxing. A cloud call center is a narrow-focus solution for calls, whereas a cloud contact center enables omnichannel routing.
What is VoIP?
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an Internet-based technology for transferring audio signals when the signal is first converted from analog (voice) to digital (code) and then unpacked back upon a phone call.
What is cloud PBX?
A cloud PBX is a SaaS system that enables a private cloud communication network for internal and external phone calls within a cloud call center. Unlike premise-based PBX systems, cloud PBX is compatible with call management software, which makes it much more practical for business.
In other words, cloud PBX is a fully-fledged business phone system that uses VoIP technology to enable cost-effective calls and advanced features like call tracking and real-time analytics. An elaborate cloud PBX like Phonexa’s will support a multitude of call management solutions for comprehensive call management.
What is the difference between VoIP and cloud PBX?
In a nutshell, VoIP is a telecommunication technology for making calls within a PBX phone system. Comparing VoIP and PBX makes no sense (like comparing blur color to a table) because these terms are from different business dimensions.
How much does it cost to set up a cloud-based call center?
A cloud call center will only cost you no more than a few hundred dollars per month per agent, which is a fraction of what you would spend on an on-premise call center. Likewise, a cloud-based call center will allow you to integrate various call monitoring and management solutions to generate and convert more calls.
What are the integrations for a cloud-based call center?
Among the most popular integrations for a cloud-based call center are Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Automatic Call Distributor (ACD), Cloud PBX, VoIP, and solutions for call tracking, distribution, and analytics.
What are the integrations for a cloud-based contact center?
A cloud contact center will likely support all cloud call center integrations and advanced technologies like email suppression list Opt-Intel, behavior analytics HitMetrix, or automated accounting Books360. With integrations like LMS Sync and Call Logic, you can turn your cloud contact center into a full-cycle ecosystem for click and call management.
To what extent can integrations improve a cloud-based call center?
Integrations like LMS Sync and Call Logic will streamline your workflows, improve data management, and educate you about your customers. As a result, your cloud call center will receive and convert more calls.
How much does cloud call center software cost?
Cloud call center software costs around $100 monthly if you rent it from a SaaS provider like Phonexa. With Phonexa, you will get access to the most comprehensive click and call management platform without worrying about hosting, maintenance, or repair.
Each business has its own unique set of tools to reach its target audience, and not many call centers offer all the necessary customer engagement tools that fit with your business’ needs. The right Cloud Call Center Solutions platform aims to go above and beyond for your business. Regardless of your industry or target audience, an omnichannel customer engagement platform will deliver top quality, data-driven results.
The omnichannel approach allows you reach your customers through the phone, web, mobile, email, chat, and even social media. The heart of omnichannel is mobile, because mobile is now the portable television for the average consumer. People check their phones as often as 85 times a day for notifications and entertainment. The smartphone has completely changed the way businesses interact with their customers, so it’s crucial to have one comprehensive cloud platform to keep track of all of your different marketing channels.
Click-to-call, for example, offers a significant improvement in the customer journey. By placing a click-to-call option on your PPC advertisements, website, and mobile app, your customers will be able to reach you immediately—skipping the entire process of memorizing the business number and punching it in the keypad. Click-to-call is also important for your conversion rates because it’s highly expected by consumers. As many as 94% of consumers expect brands to offer click-to-call on their search results! This critical feature is only one of the many omnichannel solutions offered by Phonexa.
The right cloud-based call center software will help you personalize your customer journey through an advanced voice recognition software and an intuitive call tracking software, among other incredible features. The Call Tracking software will track both inbound and outbound calls, which means that you will get the following information:
Inbound:
Outbound:
These meticulous reports will allow you to evaluate your agent performance and optimize your marketing methods in all sorts of creative and effective ways. The proprietary Call Tracking feature also works together with the Automatic Call Distributor to automatically redirect your calls based on caller location. All of this ultimately comes down to improving your conversion rates by enhancing the customer journey.
When it comes to the customer journey, one of the hottest discussions revolve around voice recognition. An advanced voice recognition software, such as Phonexa’s VoicePLUS, would use natural human speech to interact with your customers while recording and learning new speech patterns to cater to your audiences’ demographic. Advanced voice recognition is the key to providing a personalized call experience. You can find more information on all of our extraordinary features here.
Businesses benefit greatly from a Cloud Call Center Solutions platform that offers advanced API and third-party integrations. The advanced integrations allow you to view your data on all applications, which makes it incredibly easy for you to work with your existing marketing model. It brings all of your different digital marketing platforms under one roof to give you one complete and fluid telephony infrastructure.
If the customer journey is important to you—and it should be—then it’s time to get a comprehensive, cloud-based call center to deliver the results you’ve always wanted.
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