The Internet is an essential part of doing business, and every small business needs a reliable Internet connection to provide customers with the best service possible. Staying connected with clients and finishing tasks quickly can engender trust and loyalty. A weak WiFi signal or low-base Internet speed can hinder the growth of your business by creating unnecessary frustration and wasting employees’ (and customers’) time.
The benefits of high-speed Internet service are many. Fortunately, upgrading to a faster Internet is an easy fix. Keep these tips in mind when you choose a business WiFi service plan and learn how it can help you reach your business goals.
Increase bandwidth for better productivity
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred across a connection. Different tasks require different amounts of bandwidth; for example, sending an email requires minimal bandwidth while high-definition video conferencing takes significantly more.
The router prioritizes traffic, so employees sending emails with large attachments or performing online research might experience a slowdown if the network diverts most of its resources to someone who’s uploading or downloading a large file or streaming a webinar. Look for a service plan that provides enough bandwidth to get the job done without slowing the overall network. The right plan will support multiple employees that need to work with videos or large file sizes. As your business grows and you add additional employees, you’ll never have to worry about whether your bandwidth can keep up.
Perform more complex tasks and accommodate more employees with higher Internet speedsWhen it comes to Internet speeds, most people think of the download rate. However, your upload speed also matters. Without sufficient upload speeds, you can't hold a proper video conference or Skype call. It will also take longer to upload larger files to your website or to make automatic data backups to protect your business. High-speed business Internet means you have better lines of communication with your customers and can keep up with the fast-paced world of business.
You may need different Internet speeds depending on how many employees you have, and, more importantly, the type of tasks they perform. If you don’t know how many Mbps (Megabits per second) you need, consult your Internet service provider. In general, companies with only a few employees who perform basic online tasks like email and Internet browsing can get by with a speed of 25 Mbps. For a company with several employees who need to run Web-based meetings, send large files, or stream video, a speed of 150 Mbps or more may be required for optimal performance.
If your business tasks require even faster speeds, Comcast Business offers a 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) connection for businesses that will guarantee you have more than enough bandwidth for whatever task you throw at it.
Forget data caps for access to better tools
You never know how much data you will need to upload or download in a particular month, and the last thing you need is to worry about it. If you have a plan with data caps, you might hesitate to upload an instructional video or other lead-generating tool because you are afraid of overage charges. Don’t let that fear keep you from growing your business! Instead, switch to a service plan that doesn't include data caps, so you are free to use as much of your data as you need. You can upload videos and other large data files with no fear of extra charges.
Use WiFi to gather valuable customer data
Certain service plans, like WiFi Pro from Comcast Business, include more advanced WiFi capabilities. These features allow you to limit the amount of bandwidth guests can use, create a landing page for guests to sign in (which can be a great tool to capture email addresses), and manage your overall network. These tools also allow you to monitor network traffic and optimize connection speeds, gathering valuable data that you can use to create a more personalized experience for your customers.
Upgrade the Internet service for your business to meet your needs
If you already have a business Internet plan but aren't sure your needs are being met, ask yourself a few questions:
- How many employees do I have?
- What kind of work does my business do online?
- Do I provide complimentary WiFi access to customers?
- How strong is my Internet speed? (If you aren't sure, use a speed test tool to find out.)
If your current service isn’t up to the task of meeting your needs, then it’s probably time to look into a new Internet service plan. Find out how Comcast Business can help.
