If you have just set up a new business or have been up and running for a few years and are thinking of switching to a new broadband provider, it’s a good idea to do a thorough business broadband comparison before you make any decisions. Lots of providers offer packages that are aimed specifically at businesses but they may not all include the same perks or benefits, and prices can also vary quite considerably.
Here are just some of the things you should consider when you’re making your comparison.
Speed
This is probably going to be a key factor for many businesses, particularly if your operating model relies heavily on a fast, efficient service with fast upload and download speeds. An acceptable speed for business broadband is about 8Mb though you can get speeds of up to 20Mb with some providers.
Prioritization
Some providers can prioritise your business traffic over residential traffic so when the network gets busy, you don’t suffer.
Support
If something does go wrong and your broadband goes down, you need to get it up and running as quickly as possible. Find out what kind of support service is offered as part of your package. Some companies will offer support during business hours only while others may offer 24 hour support.
Networking
This means that two or more computers can share the same resources and information and is very important for some businesses. Find out if your broadband package allows for this and how many computers can access the network at any one time. Bear in mind that as your business grows you will probably need to add to that number.
VoIP services
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and allows you to make phone calls over the internet which can be a cheaper alternative to using the landline or your mobile phone. This can be very useful if you do a lot of business overseas as it can save you quite a lot on your phone bill. Find out what software and services are available from your provider if you think this could be a useful benefit for your business.
Price
Naturally you are going to want to consider the price. Remember the cheapest package available may not necessarily be the best one, so look for value for money and service when you are making your decision.
One thing that I used to always look for when I was younger and had a lot more free time was latency. I used to play a lot of first person shooters and being in Australia there can be a lot of lag between here and the rest of the world. So my brothers and I would always be keen on knowing latency stats as a lag spike would really kill game playing.
The price is one of the key factors for any business, but I had some experience selling these types of services awhile back and you’re generally going to get what you pay for.
I agree, you get what you pay for. If you run a business no sense cheapin’ out on something that is an integral part, communications. Today we know that the world runs on computers just as much as it runs on money…. vroom, vroom… it all costs~