Nowadays, almost every business relies on the Internet to survive and succeed. Operating online involves being there for your customers and providing them with the best possible experience. Providing such experience requires the best Internet connection your business can get its hands on.
Moreover, your business operations also rely on powerful Internet connections. Online services, such as cloud storage, video conferencing, and other business-relevant activities, cannot function properly without a fast connection.
Therefore, if you’re about to choose an Internet connection for your company, you must take the time to consider your options well and opt for the one that will suit your business needs the most. With that in mind, here’s how to choose the right Internet connection for your business.
Determine your needs
Before you begin your search for the right internet connection, you must first determine your business needs. What this means is that you must assess the situation to determine just how many of your business operations will be online.
For example, running an online store requires a good service provider. Other business activities, such as using cloud services or opting for a paperless office, require a good Internet connection on the company premises.
That’s why your decisions shouldn’t be rushed and you must carefully consider your needs before making the decision. Furthermore, you must consider the future as well.
For instance, if your business is likely to grow in the next few years, you have to consider whether or not your Internet connection is eligible for potential upgrades. This will determine the difference between opting for a basic and cheaper broadband connection and opting for a more expensive business-grade solution.
Determine the type of connection
As you may already know, there are various types of Internet connections available for business use. The type of connection you choose will determine its quality. More expensive types provide better quality service and features, and vice versa.
For example, the most common type of Internet connection that businesses use is the ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) type provided via traditional telephone lines.
Although robust and reliable enough, ADSL connections can support around 60 active users before overloading the network. Therefore, if your business favors more than 60 users, this connection type is not suited for your needs.
Other connection types include fixed Wi-Fi, cable, satellite, and the latest fibre-optics connections. Each connection type has its unique advantages and disadvantages. The key is in determining not just the best type for your business but also the right one.
Choose the right provider
You can’t have an Internet connection without an ISP (Internet Service Provider). These providers offer unique services to your business related to the Internet connection your organization will use and features that relate to it, such as installing the right equipment and providing adequate support.
Choosing an ISP is as equally important as choosing the connection itself. In other words, you have to take your time to consider your choices. A safe bet is to opt for reputable ISPs, such as Orange for instance, that are known for providing good Internet service to businesses worldwide. In any event, here a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a reliable ISP:
- Costs, fees, subscriptions and upgrades
- Security
- Ongoing support
- Backups and recovery solutions
- Uptime and restrictions
- Data caps and customer service
An ISP should also be able to advise you on which Internet connection type to opt for so that your business needs will be adequately met.
Reading the fine print
Every ISP provides services under a contract that clearly defines user policies and how you can use their services the right way. When examining the contract, it’s imperative that you read the fine print that portrays the terms of service.
Ignoring this may result in inconveniences and misunderstandings that will prevent your company from doing business, to begin with. Other than that, you must determine for how long you must stay under contract and what are the early termination fees should you decide to switch ISP midway.
Your best option is to ask whether or not an ISP provides a trial period so that you can test their services before committing to it.
The main reason is that early termination fees tend to be very pricey, and you must be absolutely sure that the ISP in question is the right one for your business. Last but not least, determine what the ISP policies regarding business relocation are. If you need to relocate your business somewhere, you must ask if it’s possible for the ISP to assist you in the matter regarding keeping your connection and equipment that supports it.
The best option is not always the most viable solution for your business. When it comes to choosing an Internet connection, you must look for a way to meet your business needs without overpaying for the services. That’s why it’s important to take your time when choosing both the ISP and the internet connection type for your company.
