Business tips

How to choose the best Internet provider for your business

April 20, 2021

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Find the right Internet provider for your business

Choose the right business Internet provider with these tips

With countless businesses operating remotely, partnering with a fast and reliable Internet provider is more important than ever. It comes with countless benefits, such as boosting your team’s productivity and providing customers with a better online experience and increased sales.

What are the downsides of a slow connection?

A slow Internet connection can lead to longer loading times on your website and impair your business. According to Quicktech, 47% of consumers will only wait an average of 2 seconds for a web page to load before leaving.¹ Not only does that mean losing out on sales, but Google ranks slow websites lower in search results, decreasing your web traffic.

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So, what are the factors to consider when choosing an Internet provider?

Tips for choosing an Internet service provider (ISP)

To keep your website running at its best, you’ll need an Internet service provider that meets your business’ needs. Our 5 tips for finding the best Internet provider will help guide you to an ISP that supports you through a reliable and fast connection while offering additional resources to help accelerate your success.

Consider the types of speeds and connections that fit your business.

Depending on the size of your business and your average Internet usage, you’ll need a provider that offers speeds and connections to match your exact needs. Greater bandwidth means that your upload and download speeds will be higher. Conversely, low speeds can mean delays, slowing down productivity as your team cannot access the online tools they need. The speed you will need ultimately depends on how your business will use the Internet. For instance, a team of two that mainly uses the Internet to send emails may only need 100 Mbps. However, a business with a large team that transfers massive files every day and holds countless video calls may need speeds of up to 500 Mbps. From DSL, cable and fibre, most providers offer various types of connections with unique benefits and drawbacks. To learn more about the best type of connection for your business, read our in-depth blog post here.

2. Ask about add-ons, bundled services and other essentials.

There’s more to choosing an ISP than just fast and reliable Internet connections. Ask providers about the add-ons, bundled services and other essentials they offer to make sure you’re getting the most out of your partnership. An Internet provider may offer additional services such as VoIP, Wi-Fi analytics, customized emails and security tools. These extra services may help you achieve your business goals faster while saving you money.

3. Review any service agreements and objectives.

Always review an ISP’s service agreements or objectives. There are generally two kinds of service quality assurance that providers use. A Service-Level Agreement (SLA) details the provider’s expected service quality, while a Service-Level Objective (SLO) is the promised metrics that a provider expects to hit. Most ISPs guarantee 98% service connectivity a month, which is known as uptime.2 When the minimum service quality is not met, meaning your Internet connection is down, the provider may compensate you with discounts or credits. If they are not delivering on what they’ve promised, it might be time to consider switching.

4. Ask about their unique selling point.

If you’re hard-pressed picking between two providers, ask about their unique selling points that set them apart from their competitors. For some ISPs, it may be exceptional performance in the area your business operates in, free installation, guaranteed pricing and much more.

5. Customer service and technical support availability.

Service hiccups happen and that’s why you need an ISP that comes with reliable customer service and technical support. Choose a provider that offers 24/7 tech support over the phone or live chat, as well as when on-site technicians are accessible to resolve any issues.

With these tips, you’re one step closer to finding a fast and dependable Internet provider. Once you’ve determined your business’ needs and desired add-ons, finding an ISP that’ll help you achieve your goals will be easier than ever.

Sources:

1. https://www.quicktech.ca/2019/08/how-slow-internet-connections-affect-your-business/

2. https://www.business.org/services/internet/how-to-choose-an-internet-service-provider-for-your-business/

Choose the right business Internet provider with these tips

What are the downsides of a slow connection?

Tips for choosing an Internet service provider (ISP)

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