VoIP Reseller Programs

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone service, like other Internet-based services, can be offered directly by hosts, or by resellers. If you’re considering reselling VoIP, read this article to know what to look for and what to avoid.

Types of VoIP Reseller Programs

As with other types of reselling opportunities, there are two main types of VoIP reseller programs.

• In one scenario, you become an authorized agent for an existing brand. If you choose a well-known and well-regarded brand, for example, one that already has a large base and perhaps an award or two, you the brand’s great reputation rubs off on you. Alternatively, with a new brand that you believe in, you can be a key player in building the brand. As an agent, you are often primarily a salesperson and customer service representative, and your sales may extend beyond VoIP service contracts to hardware, for example. But most likely, technical support and all technical issues and management will be handled by the brand you represent, and their performance in this area is one of the products you will be selling.

• In the other scenario for VoIP reseller programs, your relationship with the VoIP service provider is not shared with the customer. Rather, the product is rebranded with your firm’s brand and the original company becomes invisible. In this situation, the originating company may still provide technical support, but do so anonymously, allowing the reseller to maintain the appearance of running the show. In effect, the two companies agree to mislead the customer by not disclosing their agreement, a tactic that has drawn recent scrutiny when practiced by airlines.

What to Look for in VoIP Reseller Programs

No matter which approach you plan to take to VoIP reselling, there are certain qualities and characteristics to seek in a VoIP Reseller Program:

• 24/7/365 technical support
• Program allows customers to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
• Well-written documentation of all API’s
• Good discounts
• A choice of products
• International sales reach (if that’s what you want)
• User control panel with access to call history, settings for call forwarding, rate information, etc.
• Ability to sell to a wide range of customers including residential customers, Internet cafés, businesses, phone card users, etc.
• Well-organized and powerful reseller administration panel (RAP)
• Free access and minutes for getting your business up and running
• Reasonable reseller fees
• Enhanced 911 Service
• Caller-ID
• Toll free number origination

Things to Avoid in VoIP Reseller Programs

Besides not meeting the desirable qualities and characteristics listed above, you may wish to avoid becoming a reseller of a product that:

• has too high a cost or hidden charges
• don’t allow customers to port their existing phone number
• has hardware that will not limit the customer too much
• provides data encryption

Related Article: Reseller Affiliate Programs >>