If you are interested in cold calls, it is only a question of time until you will need a professional dialer. Selecting the right dialer for cold calling is crucial to the success of your sales efforts. In this guide, we will explain the different types of dialers available, their features, and how to choose the best one for your needs.
- What is cold calling?
- What is a dialer?
- Benefits of using a dialer for cold calling
- Types of cold calling dialers
- Best cold calling dialers
- How to choose a cold calling dialer
- Cold calls, warm connections
What is cold calling?
Cold calling is a sales technique where businesses contact potential customers who have not previously expressed interest in their products or services. It involves reaching out to prospects via phone to introduce offerings and generate sales leads.
What is a dialer?
A dialer is a software tool that automates the process of making outbound calls. It helps organize cold calling by managing contact lists, dialing numbers, and connecting sales agents with prospects.
Benefits of using a dialer for cold calling
- Increased speed: Dialers automate the calling process, reducing manual dialing time and increasing the number of calls made.
- Improved productivity: With cold call dialer features such as call scheduling and auto-dialing, agents can focus more on conversations rather than dialing.
- Better call management: Dialers offer call recording, monitoring, and analytics, helping to track performance and improve strategies.
- Enhanced customer interaction: Automated dialing ensures calls are made at optimal times, increasing the chances of reaching prospects.
Types of cold calling dialers
Cold calling dialers are automated systems that help improve the process of making outbound calls. These tools can significantly improve productivity in call centers. Here are the main types of cold calling dialers:
Preview dialer
Features: Preview dialer allows agents to review contact details before the call.
Best for: Personalized sales approaches.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides context | Slower calling process |
| Better preparation |
Progressive dialer
Features: Power option dials numbers one after another automatically.
Best for: High-volume calling campaigns.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Increases call volume | Less preparation time for agents |
| Reduces idle time |
Predictive dialer
Features: Predictive dialer uses algorithms to predict when agents will be available.
Best for: Large call centers with many agents.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Maximizes agent talk time | Can lead to dropped calls if not managed properly |
| Minimizes idle time |
Best cold calling dialers
1. MightyCall
- Starting Price: $15/month
- Top Features: Call flow, live call monitoring, analytics, roles & permissions.
- Best For: Small and medium businesses.
MightyCall offers a powerful communication software for SMB’s and call centers. Its user-friendly interface makes calls, messages, and customer interaction management simple and accessible.
The platform is compatible with various CRM systems, and its tools help to organize operations and improve customer engagement. These integrations help you share customer information and insights across platforms. MightyCall also prioritizes user support, ensuring businesses can enjoy customer interactions without having to worry about the technical aspects.
Why it’s good for cold calling: MightyCall’s visual call flow editor and call management features help with the cold calling process, ensuring stable call routing and better customer interaction, making it one of the best dialers for cold calling.
Unique characteristic: MightyCall is known for its visual call flow editor, which allows users to design and manage call routing using a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Features:
Integrations:
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Zapier
Pros:
- Consistent updates with new features
- A powerful, easy-to-use feature set
- Thought-through universal pricing plans
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- Works for larger enterprises, but was not specifically developed for them
- Integration options may not cover all the industry-specific applications
Best for: SMB’s looking for a rich feature set and a user-friendly call center solution.
2. Grasshopper
- Starting Price: $18/month
- Top Features: Voicemail to text, automatic text messaging.
- Best For: Small businesses.
Grasshopper provides small businesses with a professional phone system that uses existing mobile and landline infrastructure. This service allows businesses to present a unified front with features like custom greetings, department extensions, and business texting.
By forwarding calls made to a business number directly to personal phones, Grasshopper removes the need for additional hardware and reduces overhead costs. This makes it a practical choice for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Why it’s good for cold calling: Grasshopper allows small businesses to maintain a professional phone system using existing mobile and landline connections, simplifying the cold calling dialer use.
Unique characteristic: Does not have a very distinct characteristic, but is a reliable mobile and landline call center solution, capable of forwarding calls made to your business number directly to your personal phone.
Features:
- Voicemail to email
- Custom greetings
- Business texting tools
- Extensions for employees or departments
Integrations: Few, mostly Google Voice and Skype.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Does not require additional hardware
- Flexible depending on the team size
Cons:
- Limited call routing and management customization
- International calling only as an add-on
- No video calling or conferencing option
Best for: Solopreneurs and smaller businesses looking for a very simple internet-based communication solution.
3. Zoom Phone
- Starting Price: $15.99/month
- Top Features: Call assigning, call park, unified communication app.
- Best For: Businesses of all sizes.
Zoom Phone builds on Zoom’s well-known video conferencing capabilities by offering a unified VoIP solution. This integration makes it easy for businesses to manage voice calls and video meetings within a single platform.
The service supports the more traditional features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and auto attendants, all within an clean interface. Zoom Phone’s apps make it useful across various devices and ensure connectivity and flexibility, particularly for remote and hybrid teams.
Why it’s good for cold calling: Zoom Phone’s integration with Zoom Meetings allows for switching between video and voice calls, improving the success of its dialer for cold calling.
Unique characteristic: A native integration with the Zoom platform. You can use the Zoom Meetings and get a unified solution for video and voice communications.
Features:
- Call recording and analytics
- Voicemail transcription
- Direct routing
- Auto-attendants and IVR
Integrations:
- Microsoft Office 365
- Google Workspace
- Salesforce
Pros:
- Part of the Zoom suite
- Global reach
- Interesting call management features
Cons:
- Additional fees to use the full suite of features
- Advanced features tend to need previous cloud calling experience to use
Best for: Businesses in need of an integrated video and voice communication platform.
4. SmartLine
- Starting Price: $9.99/month
- Top Features: Call monitoring, chat option, call logging.
- Best For: Small and medium businesses.
SmartLine, developed by GoDaddy, bridges business communications and personal interactions by allowing users to manage both on a single device. This approach is perfect for small business owners who rely heavily on their phones for work.
With SmartLine, users can establish a professional presence by getting a professional work number, and manage calls, texts, and voicemails through an easy-to-use mobile app. This makes SmartLine an ideal solution for those who need business communication tools without additional hardware.
Why it’s good for cold calling: SmartLine’s integration with smartphones allows sales agents to make and receive business calls from anywhere, ensuring they never miss a cold calling opportunity.
Unique characteristic: Allows users to make and receive business calls by integrating with mobile devices.
Features:
- Voicemail
- Mobile app-based call management
- Business texting
- Voicemail transcription
- Custom caller ID
- Business hours settings
- Call forwarding
Integrations: Integrated with the other services by GoDaddy.
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Direct integration with smartphones
- Good pricing for smaller businesses
Cons:
- Less features than other call center solutions
- No complex call routing features
Best for: Individuals and small businesses who need a professional calling software on their mobile phones.
5. Google Voice for Business
- Starting Price: $10/month
- Top Features: Unlimited calling, call recording, voicemail to text.
- Best For: Small and medium businesses.
Google Voice for Business integrates with the Google ecosystem, making it easy for users to make calls, text, and send voicemails via their pre-existing accounts. This also means access to Google’s suite of tools, enabling a cohesive workflow.
By integrating with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Meet, Google Voice simplifies communication management. Its unified approach reduces the learning stress for new users and consolidates essential services.
Why it’s good for cold calling: Google Voice’s integration with Google Workspace allows quick access to contact information and communication tools, enhancing its dialer for cold calling.
Unique characteristic: Integration with Google Workspace, optimizing communication management.
Features:
- Google Workspace integration
- Voicemail transcription
- Multi-device access
- Call forwarding
Integrations:
- All Google services
- Google Workspace
Pros:
- Google Workspace integration
- Good pricing plans for small businesses
- Ease of use
Cons:
- Hard to find native support for international calling
- Hardly any customization options for call routing and management
Best for: Google Suite enthusiasts with a small business looking for an integrated call center solution within the familiar ecosystem.
6. MagicJack
- Starting Price: $43/year
- Top Features: Online logs, conference bridge, hold music.
- Best For: Home and small businesses.
MagicJack offers a straightforward, low-cost solution for VoIP calling by using a physical device connected to the internet. Users can make calls to North America without a significant limit, making it an appealing option for small businesses and solopreneurs seeking to reduce communication expenses.
Just like most other internet-based solutions, it can be used anywhere as long as there is an internet connection.
Why it’s good for cold calling: MagicJack’s low cost and simplicity make it an attractive option for small businesses looking to implement a cost-effective cold calling strategy.
Unique characteristic: One of the only solutions providing an additional physical device to connect directly to an internet router or a computer.
Features:
- Conference bridge
- Calling over the internet via a physical adapter
- Voicemail
- Integrations: Very limited, suited for basic use.
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Low cost
- Offers basic calling features
Cons:
- Offers limited features and integrations
- Requires additional hardware
- Limited to USA and Canada
Best for: Startups, tiny businesses, and home users in need of an affordable yet functional cloud-based calling solution.
7. Vonage
- Starting Price: $19.99/month
- Top Features: Conferencing tools, conversational AI, team messaging.
- Best For: Small to large businesses.
Vonage provides flexible, scalable VoIP solutions suitable for a variety of business sizes. It offers multiple communication features, such as video conferencing, advanced call routing, and CRM integrations.
The Vonage API platform allows developers to integrate text, voice, and video into their applications, enabling highly personalized experiences. This flexibility and emphasis on innovation make Vonage a reliable choice for businesses looking to improve their communication strategies.
Why it’s good for cold calling: Vonage’s robust API platform allows businesses to customize and integrate advanced features, improving the cold calling campaigns.
Unique characteristic: Vonage has developed an API platform that offers extensive customization and integration for its customers.
Features:
- CRM integrations
- Advanced call routing
- Video conferences
- Mobile and desktop apps
Integrations:
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Salesforce
- Zoho CRM
Pros:
- Highly customizable through APIs
- A rich feature set
- Reliable service with 99.999% uptime
Cons:
- Pricing can be higher than some competitors
- Technical expertise required to use the full potential of the API platform
Best for: Medium to large call centers that want a scalable and customizable calling solution.
How to choose a cold calling dialer
- Determine your needs: Identify the volume of calls and assess the need for advanced features such as call recording and analytics.
- Choose the provider: Evaluate features, pricing, integration capabilities, ease of use, call quality, and customer support.
- Consider integration: Ensure compatibility with your CRM and other business tools.
- Check the reviews: Opt for providers offering responsive and reliable support.
Cold calls, warm connections
Selecting the right dialer for cold calling can significantly impact your sales. Consider your business needs, integration requirements, budget, and desired features when making a decision. The best dialers for cold calling will organize your calling process, enhance productivity, and improve your overall sales performance.
