Does a small business need internet services? Of course, it does. How can we even ask such a question in today’s world where the internet is used for just about everything? From communicating with suppliers and customers to sharing information and promoting the business on the digital platform, businesses rely on the internet for daily operations.
Now that we’ve firmly established the need for an internet connection, let’s see how and which network to choose to get the best results. Unlike large scale enterprises, small businesses do not have a huge amount of capital. Risk tolerance is also low for small businesses. Blocking too much money in one part of the business could lead to a financial crunch and an endless cycle of loans.
But that doesn’t mean the small business should choose the cheapest options in everything. When it comes to the internet network, going for the cheapest version is a big no. The simple reason is that when the existence of the business depends on its visibility and communication channels, having a low-quality network to save money will cause adverse results.
With the heavy requirement for a stable internet connection, many service providers have entered the market, thus offering quality services for affordable prices. Enterprises can safely contact the top small business internet provider to cater to their business needs without exceeding the budget limitations.
Types of Internet Network Connections
Before we talk about the types of cable, let us see the types of connections. And by connections, we mean the difference between residential and commercial connections. Small businesses, especially startups with a very limited number of employees, might be tempted to opt for a residential connection. After all, even home networks can have broader bandwidth, and businesses can change to the commercial package later, right?
That’s where businesses make a mistake. Even though the commercial connection is costlier than the residential one, it also provides additional features and facilities such as extra network security, guaranteed uptime, a greater bandwidth, access to cloud servers, and data centers. Small businesses can opt for customized packages that will help save money as they choose only those services required for the time being.
Another advantage of opting for the commercial connection is the ease of scalability. Compared to converting a residential connection to a commercial one and having to invest a good amount of money in the process, choosing a basic commercial connection would be a viable option. Adding to the network and expanding it with be cost-effective and not to mention, easy.
DSL Vs. Copper Cable Vs. Fiber Optics
The changing technology has led to changes in the internet network as well. DSL is outdated and doesn’t provide the required speed or bandwidth required for business use. Copper cables are still being used through the fiber optics network is fast conquering the market.
Over the years, the cost of the fiber optics network has gone down. Many reliable service providers offer a fiber optics internet connection for a price that is almost the same as a copper cable connection. In such instances, it doesn’t make sense to pick an older version, does it?
The fiber optics cable is thinner than the copper cable but is highly durable, reliable, and works perfectly well even over long distances. Extreme weather conditions and EMF (electromagnetic fields) do not affect the quality of the internet connection.
That’s because data is transmitted through the fiber optic cable in the form of light. The optical fibers carry light at high-speed and are protected by an outer covering called the cladding. Fiber optics is also known from low latency, symmetric speed, and unlimited bandwidth.
This allows the employees to not just finish their work in less time but also to make use of the remaining time to try and boost the business. Whether it is increasing the focus on digital marketing or innovating new products or even researching about the avenues in adjacent industries, employees will prefer to spend their work hours on creating something new for the business.
Local Vs. National Service Provider
This can be a tough choice to make. A small business might like to choose a local service provider as the company will be easily accessible. But when they choose a national top small business internet provider, they can gain access to a wider network, more expertise, and additional resources. It’s no surprise that national service providers are a more popular choice.
To conclude, considering the cost-effectiveness of hosting the IT infrastructure on the cloud platform, small businesses can move their operations to the cloud and ask employees to use their own devices at work. This invariably cuts down the money that needs to be spent on creating the IT infrastructure and maintaining it on-premises.
