Since you’ve found your way here, you’re likely thinking of getting back up internet for your business. Well, first things first, you’re doing an excellent job of anticipating the need for failover internet. It’s either your business operations are heavily reliant on fast, stable internet or you’ve experienced the frustration of unexpected outages before. Either way, planning for a backup internet solution is a proactive step that can save your business time, money, and headaches. But before getting one for your business, it’s important to keep an eye out for several things to make sure you really need this purchase.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing the five most important factors you must consider before getting back up internet for business. Let’s start!
5 Important Factors to Get Back up Internet for Business
- Downtime
How often do you experience downtime? How long does it last? Downtimes are extremely critical for businesses that require the internet to operate. And unfortunately, even a few minutes of downtime can have a ripple effect, as clients may get upset, your team might miss deadlines, and so on. If downtimes are frequent in your area, having a back up internet for your business is a good idea.
The duration of downtime also matters. Some outages are resolved in minutes, while others can stretch for hours or even days, especially during severe weather or infrastructure issues. If you have failover internet in place, you don’t have to worry about how long the outage will last because then, you will still be connected to the internet and you can go on with your business operations. The internet is just as important as cell service coverage nowadays.
- Purpose
Why are you getting a back up internet for your business? Is it because you really need it or are you preparing for potential disruptions that could affect productivity? Understanding the purpose behind investing in backup internet helps you make better decisions about the type of connection and setup your business really needs.
And also, you have to know that even if outages don’t happen often in your area, they can still affect your business once it happens. The best thing about it is that when you have failover internet, you will always have peace of mind no matter what happens.
- Internet Provider
Who is your internet provider? Are they reliable? If your current provider has frequent outages or takes too long to resolve issues, it’s a sign that your business likely requires a reliable back up internet. Of course, when choosing your second internet provider, it’s very important to choose a different provider, and preferably a different type of internet too.
For example, if you currently have cable as your primary internet, you can opt for fiber internet as your secondary connection. Providers like Metro offers great fiber internet plans that may fit your business needs. Of course, the reputation of the provider you choose is crucial as well because you can’t risk having an unreliable back up internet provider. Otherwise, it’ll be useless.
- Cost
This list wouldn’t be complete without the cost. Of course, your decision will depend on your business’s capacity to pay for the back up internet plan. It’s natural to want a solution that fits your budget, but it’s also important to think of it as an investment rather than just another expense. After all, the purpose of having a backup connection is to prevent potentially bigger losses caused by downtime.
Think about what a single hour of downtime could mean for your business. Actually, in most cases, the cost of a back up internet plan is far less than the revenue or productivity you may lose during an outage. But if budget is an issue, you can look for flexible plans that allow you to pay only when you use the service. Looking for this may take a bit of time, but it’s worth it.
- Internet Dependency
The last and most important factor is your business’s dependency on the internet. Not all businesses require one, so it’s very important to assess if your business needs it or not. Do your employees need the internet all the time for emails, meetings, or sharing files? Do your customers rely on your online services for smooth transactions or support?
The more your business depends on the internet, the bigger the problem an outage can cause, and the more you need a back up internet. That’s why you must take the time to assess and understand your needs.
Final Thoughts
Having a back up internet for business is important, but it’s not for everyone. Since it will be a significant cost for the business, you need to take the time and assess if you really need it and if the cost will justify the benefits it brings. Just make sure to consider these five factors before making your decision. Good luck and we hope you find the answer you’re looking for!
