Business Broadband

Most people’s first instinct when looking out for new contracts is probably considering the price above everything else. While that is important, there are various other elements you should keep in mind when selecting a broadband provider for your business:

 

One of the most important things businesses rely on is speed. Consider how many members of staff need access to the internet at once, and how fast they need data to be transferred. Keep in mind that if your business relies heavily on video calls, you may need a faster speed for those to run smoothly.

 

Be careful with advertised headlines speeds. Depending on where your business is based, the deals offered on headline advertisements may not always be available in your area. To get around this, be sure to read the small print and check your postcode against the deal being advertised.

 

Everything comes down to the needs of your business. If you have a big business that requires large storage spaces for software updates, you may want to consider having an unlimited download allowance. However, if you are an independent freelancer, that will probably not be on the top of your priority list.

 

It’s also important to consider the contract length because that can make you either save or lose a lot of money. Longer contracts offer a lower monthly fee, but when it comes to cancelling or switching broadband providers, they are less flexible. In most cases there will even be a penalty fee to pay if you terminate your contract before the end date. Shorter contracts give you more freedom, but they will cost you more per month. Consider whether your priority is to be able to have flexibility or to save money in the long run.

 

Whether your broadband operates via ADSL or fibre optic cables can also make a huge difference. A basic ADSL offers a connection provided by your telephone line. It is widely available across the UK and may be enough to support the weight of a small business. On the other hand, fibre optic uses underground cables and provides a much faster connection. This option can be ideal for larger businesses, but they aren’t widely available.

Business broadband packages tend, unsurprisingly, to offer features specifically tailored for businesses and you will find that some of these may be critical to the day-to-day operation of your company.

 

If you sign a business broadband package, you will automatically receive priority service and support. Having your internet connection interrupted could cost you a lot of money and will most likely smear your reputation with your customers. Therefore, most broadband providers offer 24-hour support to businesses.

 

Additionally, providers tend to cater to businesses’ needs more urgently than residential customers’ needs and will even prioritise your call, so you won’t be stuck in a queue for long. If the supplier is unable to resolve your issue and get your internet up and running in the timeframe specified in the contract, you may even be entitled to compensation.

 

If you have a big business, you may want to consider the benefit of having a static IP address. While home broadband connections typically have a dynamic IP address, having a static one will help your business host and run its own website. Business broadband packages also offer faster uploads, which means that the speed and quality of your internet connection will not be affected by other customers, even at peak times.

 

Most business broadband packages will also include higher grade security software benefits. It is vital that data from your clients, customers and employees are secure, and having a good broadband package can help you keep all that data safe. It can prevent your business from falling to cyber security threats, malware, viruses, trojans, and common hacking attacks.