It's hard to imagine doing business today without an internet connection. Simply offering WiFi to your customers can grow your base. In fact, free internet has become one of the criteria for reviewing businesses or establishments. But apart from customers, you—the owner—can benefit from a quality internet connection too.
Your internet connection is indispensable in day-to-day affairs like managing your social media marketing, uploading documents to the cloud, and connecting with stakeholders. Even then, having an internet connection in your business is not without challenges. Here are the top problems that most business owners face when using WiFi.
1. Slow WiFi Connection
This is the number one challenge that businesses face when it comes to an internet connection. Even average consumers experience this too. A slow internet can be attributed to several factors, including outdated routers and network interference. But in truth, it could be a problem with your internet service provider (ISP). The right provider should give you easy to follow slow wi-fi solutions that you can use to minimize downtime.
If you experience a slow connection via WiFi, try to plug your device into the modem using an ethernet cable. Then, test your speed using popular speed testing apps. The numbers in the app will determine if you need to contact your ISP or buy new hardware.
2. Poor Bandwidth
Insufficient bandwidth may be the problem when your internet connection lags in speed. Simply put, if you don't have enough bandwidth to match the usage, your connection will crawl to a stop.
Make sure to provide enough bandwidth for all users in your network. You must consider the expected number of daily users and the type of internet browsing that they do. Are you allowing users to download stuff online?
Your internet connection is indispensable in day-to-day affairs like managing your social media marketing, uploading documents to the cloud, and connecting with stakeholders. Even then, having an internet connection in your business is not without challenges. Here are the top problems that most business owners face when using WiFi.
1. Slow WiFi Connection
This is the number one challenge that businesses face when it comes to an internet connection. Even average consumers experience this too. A slow internet can be attributed to several factors, including outdated routers and network interference. But in truth, it could be a problem with your internet service provider (ISP). The right provider should give you easy to follow slow wi-fi solutions that you can use to minimize downtime.
If you experience a slow connection via WiFi, try to plug your device into the modem using an ethernet cable. Then, test your speed using popular speed testing apps. The numbers in the app will determine if you need to contact your ISP or buy new hardware.
2. Poor Bandwidth
Insufficient bandwidth may be the problem when your internet connection lags in speed. Simply put, if you don't have enough bandwidth to match the usage, your connection will crawl to a stop.
Make sure to provide enough bandwidth for all users in your network. You must consider the expected number of daily users and the type of internet browsing that they do. Are you allowing users to download stuff online?
Depending on activities, you may need to increase your bandwidth.
There are many ways to troubleshoot internet connection at home. You can apply these same solutions in a business setup. But you must understand that bandwidth problems are typical in WiFi networks that cover large areas like universities, malls, and cafés. As a business owner, you need to effectively manage bandwidth in your network to ensure acceptable connection speed.
3. Faulty Network Configuration
If you or your internet provider has configured the WiFi network poorly, then your wireless internet connection speed was bound to suffer right from the start. The initial setup of your router will make or break your network. It's not surprising that faulty configuration is one of the leading causes of network errors and downtime. If you or your customers request a router restart now and then, or you keep getting booted out of your connection, you may have a faulty network configuration.
4. Inadequate Network Security
Just because your business deals with books or pastrami sandwiches, it doesn't mean hackers will not be a problem. Even if you're not a banking or financial institution, your business would have valuable information that hackers would want to steal.
A good example would be your customers' credit card information that you processed using your network. To protect your business against hacking and prevent potential lawsuits, make sure that your network has the highest level of security.
5. Dead Spots
WiFi works like radio signals. The farther you are from the signal source, the weaker the signal gets. Network configuration is not just about router software settings. Routers are also limited by space. The location of your router and even the walls in your place can cause interference and negatively affect your WiFi connection. So, it would help if you carefully studied where to put your router right from the start.
Bad access points will slow, if not hinder connection. Make sure to place your router in an unobstructed space. It's preferable to put it near the center of your place of business to maximize the area it can cover. Whatever you do, avoid shutting your router in cabinets or behind other appliances.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why a WiFi network's signal fluctuates. One thing is for sure, a slow internet connection can mean trouble for your business. In most cases, you can quickly troubleshoot the problems that put a strain on your business WiFi. But sometimes, you need to upgrade your network or call your ISP to help you out.
3. Faulty Network Configuration
If you or your internet provider has configured the WiFi network poorly, then your wireless internet connection speed was bound to suffer right from the start. The initial setup of your router will make or break your network. It's not surprising that faulty configuration is one of the leading causes of network errors and downtime. If you or your customers request a router restart now and then, or you keep getting booted out of your connection, you may have a faulty network configuration.
4. Inadequate Network Security
Just because your business deals with books or pastrami sandwiches, it doesn't mean hackers will not be a problem. Even if you're not a banking or financial institution, your business would have valuable information that hackers would want to steal.
A good example would be your customers' credit card information that you processed using your network. To protect your business against hacking and prevent potential lawsuits, make sure that your network has the highest level of security.
5. Dead Spots
WiFi works like radio signals. The farther you are from the signal source, the weaker the signal gets. Network configuration is not just about router software settings. Routers are also limited by space. The location of your router and even the walls in your place can cause interference and negatively affect your WiFi connection. So, it would help if you carefully studied where to put your router right from the start.
Bad access points will slow, if not hinder connection. Make sure to place your router in an unobstructed space. It's preferable to put it near the center of your place of business to maximize the area it can cover. Whatever you do, avoid shutting your router in cabinets or behind other appliances.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why a WiFi network's signal fluctuates. One thing is for sure, a slow internet connection can mean trouble for your business. In most cases, you can quickly troubleshoot the problems that put a strain on your business WiFi. But sometimes, you need to upgrade your network or call your ISP to help you out.
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