9 Best Cloud Communication Platforms For Small Businesses

Effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful business. However, as a small business owner, you may find it challenging to keep all your employees connected and engaged. This is where a cloud-based communication platform can make a big difference.

Cloud communication platforms allow real-time transfer of voice, video, messaging, and file sharing capabilities using the internet. They provide a centralized hub to connect distributed teams and enable seamless collaboration.

According to Research and Markets, the global cloud communication platform market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17% from 2022-2027. This growth is fueled by the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency that these platforms offer.

In this article, we have curated a list of the 9 best cloud communication platforms for small businesses along with their key features, pros and cons.

What is a Cloud Communication Platform?

A cloud communication platform refers to a hosted suite of communication tools and applications. It delivers voice, video, messaging, conferencing, and collaboration functionalities through the cloud.

Cloud platforms utilize internet connectivity to enable real-time communication within teams and with customers. All the software, infrastructure, and transmission is hosted on remote data centers owned by the service provider.

Some of the standout benefits of cloud communication platforms include:

• Cost savings – No need for expensive on-premise hardware/software. Pay only for what you use.

• Scalability – Easy to scale capacity up or down as your needs change.

• Mobility – Access communications anywhere, anytime on any device.

• Reliability – Services have in-built redundancy, disaster recovery.

• Productivity – Streamlined workflows and collaboration.

• Flexibility – Integrate with other cloud tools/CRMs easily.

Key Features of a Cloud Communications Platform

Here are some of the must-have features and capabilities to look for in a robust cloud communications platform:

Omnichannel Customer Engagement

The platform should allow conversing with customers over voice, video, chat, SMS, social media seamlessly from one interface.

Unified Communications

It should unify messaging, voice calls, video conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing so teams can collaborate effectively.

IVR and Smart Routing

An intuitive IVR system to route incoming calls to the right people or teams is essential for call centers.

Auto Attendant

This feature greets callers and redirects calls without human intervention for faster query resolution.

Call Recording

This comes handy for quality monitoring, compliance, dispute resolution and training agents.

CRM Integrations

Integrations with popular CRMs like Salesforce, Zoho, Freshworks etc. are important for small businesses.

Mobile Apps

To enable communications on-the-go, mobile apps for Android and iOS are a must.

API Access

APIs allow connecting the platform to other business systems and building customized solutions.

Security

Enterprise-grade security, compliance, reliability standards are critical for communication platforms.

7 Key Benefits of Cloud Communication Platforms

Here are some of the top benefits that a cloud communication platform provides for a small business:

1. Increased Flexibility

Cloud platforms provide the flexibility to scale up or down as your business needs change. You can easily add or remove extensions, features, integrations etc.

2. Enhanced Mobility

Cloud systems allow connecting distributed teams and mobile workers seamlessly across locations and devices.

3. Cost Savings

No need for expensive PBX hardware purchases and maintenance. Predictable operating expenditure model.

4. Improved Collaboration

Streamlined communication and seamless integrations enhance internal collaboration.

5. Higher Productivity

Intuitive interfaces reduce time spent on administrative tasks. Automation eliminates manual processes.

6. Better Customer Service

Omnichannel engagement, smart routing and self-service options improve customer satisfaction.

7. Increased Agility

Easy to deploy, configure and scale cloud platforms as per evolving business requirements.

9 Best Cloud Communication Platforms for Small Businesses

Here are the top cloud communication platforms that can meet the needs of small and medium businesses effectively:

1. Nextiva

Nextiva is an industry leader in cloud communications catering to over 150,000 businesses globally. It brings together voice, video, messaging, conferencing and CRM in one intuitive platform.

Nextiva provides unlimited calling in the US and Canada with competitive international rates. It offers advanced call management including whisper, barge, call flip, transfers etc.

The NextOS desktop and mobile apps allow you to collaborate from anywhere. Nextiva offers 99.999% uptime SLA to ensure reliable services.

Key features:

• Cloud PBX system

• Unlimited calling plans

• Advanced call management

• Team chat and collaboration

• Integrated video conferencing

• Sales CRM with email marketing

• 99.999% uptime SLA

Pricing: Starts from $20 per user/month

Best for: All-in-one voice, video, and CRM needs

2. RingCentral

RingCentral provides an end-to-end cloud phone system with robust communication and collaboration capabilities. It serves over 400,000 customers globally.

It offers unlimited calling, SMS, MMS, conferencing, and team messaging. Smart call routing and an AI-powered voice assistant provide enhanced customer experiences.

RingCentral offers deep integrations with business applications like Salesforce, Zendesk, Canvas etc. It provides mobile and desktop apps for anytime, anywhere access.

Key features:

• Cloud PBX with auto attendant

• Unlimited calling, SMS, MMS

• RingCentral Video Pro

• Team messaging and collaboration

• 200+ app integrations

• Built-in AI assistant

• Mobile apps and softphones

Pricing: Starts from $24.99 per user/month

Best for: Unified communications and team collaboration

3. Vonage

Vonage offers an integrated business cloud communications platform spanning voice, messaging, video, and API capabilities. It serves over 1 million business users.

Vonage provides unlimited domestic calling, SMS, team messaging, and video meetings. It offers CRM integrations, visual voicemail, intelligent call routing features.

Programmable Voice, Video, Messaging, and SMS APIs allow building customized applications and workflows. Vonage prioritizes security and compliance standards.

Key features:

• Cloud PBX with virtual numbers

• Unlimited domestic calling

• Team messaging and video meetings

• Visual voicemail transcription

• CRM and business application integrations

• Programmable communications APIs

• Mobile apps and softphones

Pricing: Starts from $19.99 per month

Best for: Programmable cloud communications

4. 8×8

8×8 offers a unified communication and customer engagement platform for SMEs. It serves over 1 million users worldwide.

It combines unlimited calling, meetings, team chat, and contact center capabilities. Advanced analytics using speech and sentiment analysis is provided.

8×8 offers pre-built integrations with business apps like Salesforce, Zendesk, Zapier etc. Its 99.999% financially backed uptime SLA ensures reliability.

Key features:

• Unlimited calling plans

• Video meetings for up to 250 participants

• Team chat and channels

• Omnichannel contact center

• Real-time analytics with speech recognition

• CRM and ERP integrations

• 99.999% uptime SLA

Pricing: Starts from $25 per user/month

Best for: Unified communications and contact center

5. Aircall

Aircall is a cloud-based phone system designed for modern business. It serves over 10,000 customers worldwide.

It offers a simple, intuitive interface to manage calls, contacts, agent status across channels. Customizable IVRs, voicemail to text, call queues enhance workflow.

Aircall integrates with popular CRMs, helpdesks and 50+ business apps. It provides APIs to build custom solutions. Solid security and compliance measures are implemented.

Key features:

• Cloud telephone system

• Omnichannel contact center

• IVR, voicemail transcription

• CRM, helpdesk integrations

• APIs for customization

• Call recording, analytics

• GDPR and SOC2 compliant

Pricing: Starts from $30 per user/month

Best for: Streamlined cloud phone system

6. Dialpad

Dialpad is a business phone system delivered through the cloud. It powers communication for over 60,000 organizations.

It offers a business phone system with HD voice quality powered by AI for real-time transcription, note-taking, and sentiment analysis.

Seamless integrations with G Suite, Office 365, Salesforce, Slack help unify workstreams. 24/7 support and 99.9% uptime SLA provide reliability.

Key features:

• Cloud business phone system

• HD voice quality with AI features

• Integrations with business apps

• Unlimited calling and SMS

• Call, text, video conferencing

• Mobile apps and softphone

• 99.9% uptime SLA

Pricing: Starts from $15 per user/month

Best for: AI-powered cloud phone system

7. Jive Communications

Jive Communications offers a cloud-based phone service, broadband connectivity, and productivity apps. It serves over 60,000 businesses.

It provides unlimited nationwide calling, intelligent call routing, ring groups, IVR along with SMS capabilities. Seamless integrations with Office 365, G Suite, Salesforce and more.

Jive‘s productivity apps unify communication across email, video meetings, team chat, file sharing platforms. Reliable support and technical expertise.

Key features:

• Cloud-hosted phone service

• Unlimited nationwide calling

• Intelligent call management

• Integrated SMS messaging

• Team collaboration apps

• Video meetings and file sharing

• CRM, email integrations

• 24/7 customer support

Pricing: Custom quote based on needs

Best for: Cloud telephony + productivity suite

8. Telzio

Telzio offers a full-featured cloud phone system designed for the modern mobile workforce. It serves SMBs across North America.

It provides unlimited calling, intelligent call routing, IVR, visual voicemail along with SMS/MMS capabilities. Seamless CRM integrations and mobile apps.

Telzio offers integrated audio/video conferencing and collaboration tools. Customizable call flows and scripts. Reliable customer support.

Key features:

• Cloud-based phone system
• Unlimited calling, intelligent call routing
• IVR, visual voicemail, SMS/MMS
• Audio/video conferencing
• CRM integrations, mobile apps
• Customizable call flows
• Reliable support

Pricing: Starts from $20 per user/month

Best for: Cloud phone system with conferencing

9. Ooma Office

Ooma Office provides an affordable, feature-rich cloud phone service for startups and SMBs. It serves over 1 million users.

It offers unlimited nationwide calling, intelligent call routing, virtual receptionist, voicemail transcripts. There are no contracts or hidden fees.

Ooma integrates with popular CRM and productivity tools. It offers mobile apps, softphones for flexibility. Reliable customer support is provided.

Key features:

• Cloud-based business phone service

• Unlimited nationwide calling

• Intelligent call routing, virtual receptionist

• Visual voicemail and transcripts

• Mobile apps and softphones

• Integration with CRM tools

• No contracts or hidden fees

Pricing: Starts from $19.95 per user/month

Best for: Affordable cloud phone system

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Communications Platform

Here are some important factors to evaluate when selecting the right cloud communications platform for your small business:

• Features – Assess which communication capabilities are vital for your workflows – calling, conferencing, contact center, team chat etc.

• Scalability – Ensure the platform can easily scale up or down as your team size changes.

• Reliability – Check uptime SLAs, redundancy mechanisms for guaranteed reliability.

• Security – Review security protocols, certifications and measures implemented by the provider.

• Integrations – See what CRMs, business apps and custom APIs are supported for workflows.

• Mobility – Evaluate mobile apps and options to use on laptops/desktops remotely.

• Ease of use – Assess how intuitive the platform‘s interface and management is.

• Customer support – Check responsiveness of technical/customer support channels.

• Pricing – Compare pricing models – per user/minute rates, bundles, custom quotes etc.

Benefits of Using a Cloud Communication Platform

Here‘s a quick rundown of the key advantages of using a cloud communication platform for your small business:

• Cost-effective – No expensive hardware/maintenance costs. Pay only for what you use.

• Scalable – Easy to scale capacity up or down based on needs.

• Reliable – High uptimes and redundancy for uninterrupted services.

• Agile – Quick to set up, configure and integrate new workflows.

• Collaborative – Unifies communications and boosts team productivity.

• Mobile – Provides flexibility to work from anywhere on any device.

• Efficient – Automates manual processes for greater efficiency.

• Customer Experience – Enables omnichannel personalized engagement.

• Insightful – Provides data and analytics for smarter decisions.

Final Thoughts

Implementing an effective cloud communications platform is imperative for small businesses today to stay connected, collaborative and agile.

The platforms discussed here are purpose-built to meet the unique needs of SMBs across industries. Assess your requirements, line up demos, compare pricing models and integrations offered to pick the platform that aligns best with your priorities and budget.

With robust functionalities packaged and delivered from the cloud, these platforms can drive higher productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction for your growing business. The anytime, anywhere access and flexibility makes cloud communications an essential digital investment.