When you are starting out in business you want to give your new company the best possible position from the very beginning, which is why it’s important to get your internet connection right. The majority of new businesses rely heavily on the internet to run effectively so giving yourself the best connection from the start is really important.
It will enable you to work more quickly and efficiently, feel safe in the knowledge that your data is secure, and allow easier and productive communication with customers and staff around the world. All of these things can be negatively affected by a poor internet connection.
But the world of internet providers can be confusing if you are new to it so here are some key things to consider to help you to make the right choice:
Reliability and security
Firstly, you need to make sure the service you are considering buying is not only reliable but will provide adequate security for your business. Cyber attacks and hacks are more and more common so as a start-up you will want to make sure your information and data is secure.
Reliability is also important as you only get one chance to make a good first impression on your customers and if your website keeps crashing and emails don’t get through, it could destroy your company reputation before you get off the ground.
You need to look for an internet offer which gives you dedicated internet lines for your business and provides a guaranteed higher speed as well. That way you know exactly what you are getting for your company.
Different types of internet connection
For this post we asked our friend Tim, a freelance writer for Calix, a technology company working with ISPs, for his expertise. There are a number of different types of internet connection you can go for which will depend on your budget and also your particular business needs. According to Tim, these are the most commonly used internet connections:
ADSL – this is a basic option and works through regular telephone lines. It is gradually being replaced but is still used in areas where there is no fibre broadband option. The speeds of these connections are quite low.
Superfast and fibre optic broadband – these services provide much faster connections and work via fibre optic cables rather than phone lines. They provide fast and reliable internet connections and are growing in both popularity and availability across the country.
Ethernet – this is a good option for larger companies and those which use a very large amount of data or need secure ways to share company data regularly across offices.
MPLS – these are networks which are an ideal connection solution for companies which have lots of different office sites. It provides a very secure private network for all of the different locations.
EFM – with competitive pricing this is a popular choice for smaller businesses, and it involves leasing a copper line, providing dedicated bandwidth just for your company.
WLA – for businesses in remote locations, this is wireless option which provides an option where cable isn’t available, however, it can be affected by the weather as it relies on microwaves and satellite transmission.
Value for money
Unfortunately, there are companies out there who will try to take advantage of start-up businesses, offering so-called business internet packages which are no better than the connection you get in your own home.
You need to make sure that what you are spending your hard-earned money on is actually delivering what you need it to. Check that the speed and bandwidth you are paying for is actually being delivered and if it seems too expensive then shop around and talk to other start-ups to compare.
Making sure there is room to develop
Another key thing to consider when choosing the best internet connection for your company is making sure your choice is future-proof. Your company might suddenly grow and expand, and you need to know that your internet provider can grow with you.
Make sure they offer flexibility, regular equipment and security updates and that you are not going to be tied into a service that your company might have outgrown in a year’s time, which will then start hampering your business growth.
Pick a provider that understands business
You need to find an internet provider that truly understands the needs of your business now and into the future. If they don’t take the time to explore your business plans and requirements before recommending a package that works, then move on to a different supplier.
If they are offering you something that’s more suitable to a huge company, or has lots of features for connecting multiple offices, when you only have one, then you should keep looking around. A good internet connection could make or break your start-up, so you need to partner with an ISP that understands how important that is and works with you.
