What Makes An Internet Connection Ideal For Small Businesses?
You are a small business owner trying to run your business from home but your internet just isn’t working?? Welcome to the life of an entrepreneur where the mortality rate among startups is as high as 90% and a small mistake means losing your business.
As a business owner, the first thing I learned was the power of equipment and tools. In big companies, this equipment is seen as an asset. However, for small companies, this equipment can become a part of survival. One bad connection or one subscription failure and your business will lose its oxygen supply.
I have been running my own digital service company for the last 3.5 years. It is fun and interesting but the slightest change in the schedule, a small glitch in the tool, or an internet outage means losing your client and earning a bad review.
If you have a solid idea that you want to turn into a business or you are thinking of scaling your side hustle into a full-fledged business, you need a reliable internet connection. While most people think that expensive is synonymous with quality, it is not true in case of the internet.
If you are looking for a good internet connection for your small business, here are some of the important features that you must consider:
Top 5 Features to Consider While Purchasing a Business Internet
1. Speed
Without speed, your internet is useless. Don’t believe me? Imagine sending your work to the client and it takes an hour to load. Frustrating, isn’t it?
While most people think that speed should not be the deciding factor, business experts who work simultaneously on multiple projects and have to share their work for edits all the time prioritize speed. If you are someone who has to stay connected with the team, load videos, send multimedia files to the client, and edit the work on demand, speed is your priority.
To make sure you have the best internet service provider in the market, try to look for reviews. I am currently using Xfinity and so far, my experience has been excellent. I am currently using their residential internet package, which is enough for my small business.
2. Customer Service
In the middle of the night when you experience a technical issue or there has been an internet outage, you need professional help for your connection. This is the reason you will need an ISP that offers a 24/7 customer support line.
Many reliable ISPs currently offer 24/7 customer service. So, there is a high chance that whatever ISP you currently have signed up with or are about to sign up with offer you good customer service.
However, if you have an ISP that does not offer good customer service, maybe it’s time to switch.
3. Cybersecurity
In the digital world where everything can be retrieved with just a few taps, cybersecurity is becoming a growing concern for people.
According to a study, more than 48% of small and mid-size businesses have experienced cyberattack incidents, and that too multiple times. This is alarming which is why small businesses need to stay prepared for any risk. While fortifying your website and online management system with security tools and antiviruses is a good strategy, it can cost you a lot of money.
To manage the risk, it is better to look for an internet connection that offers better security. While choosing an internet connection, prioritize ISPs with advanced data safety and security.
4. Ease of Payment
When you are running a business, time is your biggest competitor. This gets especially hard when you have a solo venture and you are multitasking all the time. Amidst such chaos, sparing time for paying bills is very challenging.
As a business owner, I have seen bills piling up left and right just because I had to get to their respective offices for bill payment. To avoid this issue altogether, it is better to look for an ISP that offers ease of payment.
I know you might be thinking online payment is enough, but having the option is better. This way you will have multiple methods of payment and you will be able to choose based on convenience.
5. Device Connectivity
Running a business means your internet will be connected to multiple devices simultaneously. However, you need to keep in mind that connecting more devices will affect your user experience.
This is the reason why ISPs offer packages based on device compatibility. When choosing a package for your small business, look for the one that supports more than six devices simultaneously.
This will ensure that you get the best experience without affecting the speed or experiencing any delay in loading.
Wrap Up
The above-mentioned features are good for shortlisting an internet connection for your small business but do keep in mind that every business has different needs. Therefore, it is better to assess your internet needs before you make narrow down on an internet connection for your small business.