Since so much of today’s business happens online, it’s clear that choosing the right internet service provider is more important than ever. Things like internet speed, data management, how often outages happen, and how quickly issues are resolved all need to be taken into consideration. Choosing the right internet provider is important, but so is selecting the right type of internet, as businesses often require faster, more reliable service than standard residential internet can provide.  After all, time is money, and even small disruptions can quickly add up and have an impact on your bottom line. 

What is business internet? 

Business internet is a high-performance broadband solution built to support the higher demands of companies and organizations.  When compared to residential internet, the internet solution you choose should support all the services your business relies on to function effectively.  

What you need to consider. 

There are nearly 3,000 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United States alone, which makes choosing one for your business all the more challenging.  Factors such as bandwidth, speed, uptime/reliability, customer support, and security are imperative to take into consideration when making a selection. For reference, your bandwidth needs will increase with the more employees your business has working on-premises using that network.   

Business internet service types. 

Along with choosing a provider, you will need to go through all the options the provider offers and compare the specs to find what’s right for your business. The different options include: 

• Dial-up: slow speed, an outdated option 
• Satellite: still being researched/developed, ideal for remote businesses 
• Digital subscriber line (DSL): considered an aging option, reasonably reliable 
• Fixed wireless: designed for outdoor use, ideal for rural areas 
• Cellular: ideal for retail businesses using point-of-sale systems 
• Cable: baseline for sufficient download speeds, this option has been the gold standard the last 10 years 
• Fiber-optic: if available, this is the most reliable and fastest option on the market today 

How do you know what’s right for you? 

The internet plan you choose entirely depends on the type of organization you have. Some aspects you’ll need to account for are size/number of employees, your location/location of the provider itself, the tasks you will need the internet usage for, and your budget. For example, if your company is small with only a few employees using the internet for certain tasks and high speed is not imperative, DSL or cable internet might be easier on your budget. However, if you have a moderate or large company with a sizeable number of employees using the internet for numerous tasks where speed and reliability are crucial, fiber internet would be the better option if it fits in the budget and is available in your area. 

Follow the steps below to find the right plan for your business: 

1. Determine the speed you require – take into account the number of devices with internet access as well as the tasks employees are performing with those devices. 
2. Decide how reliable your connection needs to be – if your business relies heavily on the internet for a multitude of your services/duties, it’s safe to assume reliability is a must for your business. 
3. Check what providers are available in your area – if your business is in a rural area, finding a provider might be more restrictive. 
4. Do your research and compare prices of the plans available to you – conduct a thorough analysis on the specs and cost of each option to find which one is best for your bottom line. 
5. Consult fellow business owners and/or read reviews and ratings of each provider – online reviews are helpful, but inquiring with your peers may give you more insight.  

Why it matters. 

While it may not be an obvious concern initially, choosing the wrong internet solution for your business could have a severe impact on your organization as a whole. Today, it is almost guaranteed some (if not most) of your business functions occur online, making the internet imperative for running your business successfully – are you choosing the right one?