Is your business internet working for you?

Know when to change your internet plan.

The internet is the backbone of today’s small businesses. It seems everything happens online. It’s where you interact with customers and employees, do your ordering, research, emails, scheduling, backing up – a list that only continues to grow.

That’s why we’ve created this list to help you assess your business’ internet needs to ensure you’re not overpaying for a plan, or using a plan that isn’t working hard enough for you.

Here’s how to determine if you’ve got the right fit:

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR USAGE.

First a quick 101 on uploading vs. downloading. If you understand this concept, you can skip to the next paragraph.

‘Downloading’ means information is moving from the internet onto your computer or device. It happens every time you open an email, view a webpage, watch an online video or receive a file. ‘Uploading’, on the other hand, is when information moves from your computer or device to somewhere else on the web. This includes things like sending files to clients, sharing images or videos to social platforms or backing up your information to the cloud. There are some operations, like video conferencing and POS, require both uploading and downloading information at the same time.

Consider how you and your employees/customers are using your internet connection today, and how critical those activities are to your core business.

Here are some examples to help you:

If you want to know more about what the speeds mean, check out our glossary.

2. COUNT YOUR CONNECTIONS.

The more people accessing your network (from any device including phones, computers, tablets, etc.), the higher the strain on your connection and the longer it takes to complete a task. It’s a lot like water pressure: The more taps you have running, the less pressure each of them will have – that is, unless you have ample water supply entering the building.

If your internet usage outweighs the strength of your network, it can cause unnecessary waits for your employees and customers. That’s time that could be spent on more important tasks.

3. DEPEND ON RELIABILITY.

Independent studies have shown that internet downtime can result in 43% loss in productivity for small businesses. That’s a number you can’t ignore. An unreliable network also has the potential to lose important data and revenue. So whether it’s having a POS machine process purchases quickly, or sending an important file before the deadline, your internet has to work just as hard as you.

4. CONSIDER TECH SUPPORT.

The majority of business owners don’t think about technical support when looking for an internet provider. That’s unfortunate, because tech support’s main function is to identify and repair connectivity issues that can bring your business to a halt. If something happens to your internet connection, you should feel confident that you have fast and easy access to 24/7 support so that your service provider will get you back up and running post-haste.

5. LOCK DOWN SECURITY.

Increasingly, security is a growing concern for small businesses: the more connected you are, the more exposure the data and documents you are working with will have. So be sure to discuss security options with your service provider to find out how you can best protect yourself and your customers.

Data indicates that 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses.

Take a moment and consider the above points carefully, so you’re armed with the right questions to ask when shopping for new services. Because after all, they should be working for your business, not the other way around.