Depending on the needs of your business, there are a variety of factors to consider when choosing the best internet service provider (ISP) for your business. Not all ISPs are created equal, in fact different ISPs offer different features, benefits and drawbacks. Before selecting the right ISP for your business, there are a few things you should consider.
Choosing the Best ISP
Choosing the right internet option for your business starts with research. First, it is important to know the needs of your small business, your goals, and what you want to prioritize with your access to the internet.
Once you know the needs of your business, you can start the research process of finding the best business internet service provider for your needs.
Types of Internet Connections
A great starting point is to consider the different types of internet connection and their advantages. Gone are the days of slow, dial-up internet. The most common types of internet access today include:
- Cable Internet – One of the most common types of internet access that is easily accessible. It uses the same types of lines as cable tv to deliver internet to your business. For smaller businesses, cable internet should be enough, but with the rise in faster speeds, there are other options that may be better for your business.
- Fixed Wireless Internet – THis type of internet using towers and antennas to broadcast wireless internet signals to your business.
- Fiber Optic or Fiber Internet – Fiber optic internet uses underground fiber optic cables to deliver internet to your business. These cables run directly from the service provider to your business.
If you are looking for high-speed internet, fiber is the right choice for you. The fiber optic network currently has the fastest upload and download speeds around. However, many rural areas lack access to the high download and upload speeds that fiber offers.
- Satellite Internet – Satellite internet uses signals from satellites in space and transmits these signals to a dish.
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) – This is another common type of internet offering that uses phone lines to deliver internet. Similarly to cable internet, this type works well for small businesses but will not have the same performance as other types.
Tips for Choosing the Right Network for Your Business
Speed, Bandwidth, and Availability
Consider the size of your business – how many locations do you have? How large is the area they cover? Choosing an ISP that can cover all of your businesses is important.
Not only is availability of their service important, but so is the connection they can offer. Reliable, fast internet services keep your employees and your business customers happy. Unreliable internet is frustrating for your teams and your customers.
Before selecting the right ISP for your business, it is important to understand the needs of your business and the amount of bandwidth you need. More bandwidth and faster speeds often come with higher cost.
Flexibility and Scalability
The ISP you choose for your business should be able to fit the needs of your business now and in the future. Your plan should be flexible enough that it can scale with your business.
Customer Service and Reputation
One of the best ways to ensure you have a reliable internet connection is to research the reputation of the company and their responsiveness. Ideally, you would never have to talk to customer support, but that’s just not the real world.
Your ISP should have a solid, responsive support team that can answer your questions, respond to service issues or outages, and provide technical support. Response times should be quick and customer support should be easily accessible. Another thing to look out for is if your ISP provides 24/7 support.
Security
How secure is your ISP? Cyberattacks are no joke and your business and its digital assets need to be protected. Choosing a secure ISP is critical to avoid future problems and keep your network safe.
Budget
Keep your budget goals in mind when weighing all of your options. While having a fast connection is important, consider the cost and what your business needs. Assess your budget and your business often to see how your ISP is meeting the needs of your business.
Contracts
Industry standard for business ISP contracts is two years. Some ISPs may offer shorter or longer terms depending. Longer contract terms may lead to cost savings, but it is always important to read the fine print and understand the terms of service.
Understanding your contract will help you avoid penalties and fees if you decide to cancel before the contract is up. Your service-level agreement (SLA) should also outline service metrics for repairs, response time, latency, uptime and more. It is important to note that many ISPs do not guarantee their service levels, so it is important to research your ISP’s SLA in advance.
