How to Choose Small Business Internet Providers: A Short Guide

Planning to launch a business? If you are, the competition is tighter than ever. You need every advantage available.

In today’s digital age, the internet is an important component of every business. It matters not what industry you’re in since you’ll need it in some form. If it’s your first time starting a business, you’ll have no idea what to look for in internet providers.

Don’t feel overwhelmed yet.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to pick the right small business internet providers. That way, you’ll get the most out of your money. Learn everything you need here.

1. Look for the Internet Connections Available in Your Area

Depending on your location, your choice of internet access can range from scraps of dial-up to the full course menu. That’s why it’s important to know the most common internet connections around, such as:

DSL

This connection improved the dial-up connection by leaps and bounds back then. Now, it’s not as groundbreaking, but lots of people still use them. It uses telephone lines, making it a great choice for small establishments with a handful of employees.

The best part is that a DSL connection is cheap. But your distance from your internet providers can affect the speed. Regardless, this connection will rarely break through the double digits for Mbps.

Cable

This connection transfers data using coaxial cable TV lines. It’s present almost anywhere, back when it first appeared in the late 1990s. But cable internet isn’t as ideal today since its fast speeds get hindered when other homes and businesses use the connection, which doesn’t justify its expensive price tag.

Satellite

This internet connection isn’t as good as most people think. It does a fine job delivering your favorite TV shows, but its internet speed can barely keep up with DSL. Also, it isn’t as reliable and can be pricier compared to cable internet.

Its availability is its main selling point. As long as there’s sky around your establishment, you’ll get satellite internet. So, if you’re in the middle of nowhere with no wires, it might be your only option.

Fiber

This connection uses light pulses through microscopic glass or plastic strands to transfer data. With this, it doesn’t suffer from electromagnetic interference. That’s why Fiber is the oldest and fastest connection in your arsenal.

The internet’s foundation used fiber, but its downside is its limited connection reach. As of the moment, only around half of the United States has access to a fiber connection. Its price tag is also higher, but its speed makes it the best connection out there.

Dial-up

It seems like a relic of the past, but around 9 million Americans still use it. It’s still as slow as ever, and its only advantage is its cheap-as-dirt price tag. If your business isn’t in need of serious internet speeds, this can be viable.

2. Think About Your Business Needs

Most business owners think having only a handful of employees means light internet needs.

But what if your business needs large file transfers and all-day video conferencing? Conversely, having 50 employees doesn’t automatically mean heavy internet usage, especially when they’re using it for emails and nothing else.

Before picking small business internet providers, determine your establishment’s internet service requirements first. That way, you won’t pay for too much or get stuck with slow speeds.

Take note, fiber internet connections have equal download and upload speeds, making it ideal over DSL when used to transport data.

For example, if your business only needs basic internet for browsing and email, 15-25Mbps is often enough. This can also support light file transfers, as long as you only let one or two employees do it.

For businesses with a fast growth rate, you’ll need 100-150Mbps since it caters to various business internet activities like eCommerce, web hosting, and more personnel.

3. Ask the Right Questions

Speed might be your priority, but you must think about other factors when looking for an internet service provider. This is easier if you ask the right questions, which includes:

Customer Service and Technician Availability

Your business might not be open 24 hours, but knowing you’ll get 24/7 tech support from your ISP is reassuring. If you suffer from internet interruptions, you’ll lose money. That’s why you should ask if your provider can give live phone and chat assistance every day.

Average Annual Downtime

Most ISPs will tell you that their uptime is perfect or close to it. The reality is that they won’t always deliver. That’s why you need a Service Level Agreement, so when your provider doesn’t meet your uptime expectations, they’re bound to give compensations.

Data Capping

Some ISPs have data caps or bandwidth limits on business accounts. If you go beyond that, they’ll start charging higher or make your connection slower. The good news is that it’s more common for residential connections, but ask them about it to ensure you won’t end up paying more.

4. Check for Other Business Needs

When choosing an internet service provider, it isn’t all about the connection itself. Extras are great additions to your internet bundle. With these items, your business has an easier time with the internet:

Static IP Address

IP addresses enable computers to find each other on the World Wide Web and communicate. Dynamic addresses are temporary and often used by residential internet connections. For static IP addresses, they’re permanent and used by establishments.

Cloud Storage

The future gets rid of hard copies and local files that hog your hard drives. Cloud storage is all the rage right now. It’s great for storing files off-site, but it allows your employees to access files anywhere and is more secure.

Get the Best Small Business Internet Providers!

These are some tips to get the best small business internet providers around. Use these to ensure you get the most out of your business funds. That way, your establishment is ready for the digital age.

If you’re looking for more guides like this, we’ve got you covered. Come check out more of our guides right here to get the tips and tricks to help you stay ahead of the competition!