The internet is no longer a novelty service but a necessity for businesses. Whether you use the internet for marketing, for product support, or as a service for in-store customers, you need to have fast Wi-Fi to keep employees efficient and make customers happy.
Here are a few steps you can take to improve your business Wi-Fi speed.
Password Protect the Network
No matter your connection, it is essential you password protect the network to keep people from outside of your business from using your Wi-Fi. You don’t want the next-door barbershop, or the hot dog stand outside your door to be smooching your internet when you need it for customers. Your network security depends a great deal on your router. The WEP system is the oldest of the systems and can cause slowdowns. Try to avoid using WEP encryption if possible; however, it is better than having no security whatsoever.
In the mid-2000s, manufacturers started using WPA and WPA2, offering high security and improved connections. Check your router to ensure you are using a WPA encryption network.
Control The Devices and Applications that Hog the Connection
Use a password-protected network to limit your connection to a degree. You want to offer customers internet but not always unlimited internet access. By password protecting your connection, you can prevent hackers from accessing your business information, and you can limit the number of devices on your network. Software apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Skype, and Google Hangout are network hogs, so use an excellent router to limit access to these services.
Move the Router to Prevent Signal Disruption
Radio waves made by televisions, microwaves, and security systems can interrupt the wireless signal. Keep radio wave devices away from the router to minimize interference. You also want to put the router in a middle area to be accessed by a wider area. In doing this, you get broader coverage and a better signal in your business.
Update Your Router
Make sure you install the latest firmware and check the internet speed afterward. Keep the software updated every few months to ensure that it works optimally. Check for updates by searching for your router name and model number online. Click on the technical page and download the latest firmware. Once downloaded, follow the instructions given by your router’s manufacturer.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, your internet speed will remain slow. The reason is usually your Internet service package. Aside from internet speed, the download and upload speeds also influence the overall internet speed. So, if you have followed all the above tips, be sure to contact your internet provider to understand better the package you currently have. It may be time to upgrade to unlimited internet so that you and your employees are able to work more efficiently. The size of your company will help you determine the best internet service package for you.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
