Ahoy, business captains! Are you ready to navigate the vast sea of internet service providers (ISPs)? We know that picking the right ISP for your business isn’t just a walk in the park, it’s more like steering a ship through stormy seas.
The stakes are high and making wrong a choice can leave your business in hot waters with a shoddy internet connection. Fear not, we got your back! This guide will help you sail you smoothly to get to the right ISP so your business can stay upfront and ahead of the competition.
When choosing an internet service provider, you will find yourself torn between shared or dedicated networks. Are these two the same thing? If there is a difference between the two, is it that significant to take it into account? Let’s break it down for you.
Think of a shared network as a public pool, it’s fun and it’s affordable but it does get crowded every now and then. A small business with basic internet needs can benefit from it since it’s budget friendly. However, you do need to keep a lookout for slowdowns especially when everyone in the neighborhood decides to take a dip.
On the flipside, dedicated networks are like owning a beach house on your own private beach. It’s pristine, exclusive and consistently fast which is perfect for businesses that need top notch connectivity. Sure, the price tag can be pretty high, but the reliability offered and the peace of mind can be worth their weight in gold. If you are a business who relies heavily on VoIP, video conferencing or cloud services, a dedicated network is your game.
Believe it or not, but speed does matter! It’s the difference between a tortoise and a hare in the digital race. However the question is, how much speed do you really need when choosing an internet provider? The answer truly depends on what your business demands.
If your business requires the internet just for sending emails or browsing the web, then a lightning fast internet would be a waste of money. On the other hand, if you run data intensive applications, host virtual meetings or use cloud services, you will need more bandwidth than you can imagine.
Keep in mind the number of users and devices that will be connected to the internet. In short, the more users you have, the more bandwidth you need to run things smoothly. Also remember, your business isn’t static, it does change and grow over time, and as it grows you would need more speed. Think and plan ahead of time to avoid frequent updates.
Ah, the age old marketing gimmick, “ Fastest internet speed in your area!” ISPs just love to boast about their speeds, but let’s cut through the hype. When looking for a reliable internet provider, you should know that what they really sell is the bandwidth. Speed claims can be misleading at times because different applications have different bandwidth needs.
For example, streaming videos and video calls require more bandwidth than emailing and browsing the web. To avoid spending too much than you really need or suffer from sluggish internet connection, it’s best that you have your ISP monitor your usage and amend accordingly.
This way, you won’t be caught with your bandwidth down when you need it the most.
Picture this, it’s Monday morning, that dreadful day of the work week. Your team is all amped up to work and then – boom- your internet goes down. Panic ensues. This is where reliable customer support comes to the rescue.
When choosing an internet provider, you have to make sure that the customer service is an exception and available around-the-clock. A team that swoops in like a superhero to save the day every time there is a hiccup in your connection is the best one.
Look for the ones who provide multiple support channels via phone, email and chat and also have extensive knowledge about any issue regarding the internet. Regular check-ins and transparent service-level agreements (SLAs) are all good signs towards serious customer support. Downtime is the enemy of productivity, choose an ISP that always has your back.
Picking out a perfect ISP is all well and good, but can they deliver to your location? Being available is a very crucial factor. Some areas limit out the options due to the geographical locations or infrastructural constraints. It’s always best to choose internet providers by searching through your zip code to see the ones available close to you.
Before signing on the dotted line, do a little detective work. Reputation matters, an ISP with a bad reputation can be a headache. Go through third-party reviews, customer testimonials and case studies. It’s obvious that every ISP has their fair share of raving fans and disgruntled customers, but it’s important to spot the trend.
Look for answers to these questions, how quick are they to respond to bad reviews? Have the bug fixes been resolved? When was the last time the ISP you tend to choose received a bad review?
Even the best laid plans can go awry. It’s best to always have a plan B in motion waiting to be executed. When choosing an internet provider, go for the ones offering path and network diversity. In simple words, a backup connection that does not rely on the same infrastructure as your primary connection.
For a safety net, having a combination of fixed wireless and wired/fiber connection is your best bet. This way if one connection goes down, you have another to bring your business back online.
In conclusion, making the right choice when choosing an ISP involves looking at your current needs, planning for future growth and prioritizing reliability and support.
Now that you have enough knowledge to make an informed decision, let’s talk a little about Wavenet. Being a leading provider of business internet services, we understand the unique needs of companies, big or small. By partnering with Wavenet, you are not just getting an ISP, you’re teaming up with a reliable ally dedicated to help your business grow in this digital times.
So what are you waiting for? Call us now!
I'm incredibly satisfied with WaveNet. Their connection has been consistently reliable, with excellent speeds, and their customer support team has been prompt and helpful whenever I've needed assistance. I highly recommend their service
