Going on the Internet and staying online is now a necessity for any business out there, regardless of size. For many small- or medium-sized enterprises, it’s also the key to growth.
However, since not all entrepreneurs are IT experts, they may have a hard time choosing the best wireless broadband solution provider for their business. Hence, to help you out, here’s a list of the four common mistakes that many small business owners make. That way, you can avoid these blunders and get online without any hassle.
- Assuming that the same stuff that works at home is good enough for the office.
If you’ve started your business in your garage, it’s understandable if you assume that what worked for you will still work even if you add two or three more people. But when you start to hire more people for different roles, your home wireless network may not be enough.
For example, if you’re hiring a graphic designer or videographer, they may need to download or upload lots of images and video. A home network may not be able to handle that amount of traffic.
- Not accounting for scalability.
It’s common sense that many SMEs or startups won’t need an enterprise-level wireless broadband solution right away. After all, if you only have five people in the office on any given workday, you won’t need something that’s meant for around 50 employees.
That, however, doesn’t mean that you should only focus on your current needs. Say that you’ve only chosen a wireless Internet setup for a maximum of seven people, only two more than your current needs, for a one-year contract. What if business was so good in the next few months that you need to double your team’s size? You may end up trying to squeeze in more people into your network and hope it holds up.
- Focusing only on wireless network hardware without considering software.
Let’s say you’ve gotten the outdoor Wi-Fi router with the biggest range and have successfully installed it in your open-air coffee shop. However, you just opted for a free, basic network management program to help you configure your Wi-Fi—after all, they’re all the same, right?This will only spell trouble for you in the long run. You may save money, but you may end up wasting lots of time looking for workarounds when using a bare-bones program. Or since it’s free, you’d have to deal with ads. For critical functions like this, it’s worth it to get a paid solution.
- Not having a backup plan, just in case your network goes down.
It’s important that your business stays online all the time, despite the slew of natural calamities that may befall your area. This is especially if you offer an essential service, such as a clinic or a pharmacy; you need to ensure you’re still connected to your staff or suppliers.Hence, when you’re looking for wireless broadband solution providers, ask if they have options for backup connections or equipment in case of an emergency.
