As business progresses in today's world, so does the need for constant access to information, clients, and vendors. It is therefore of paramount importance to modern small businesses to have their own wireless internet in office, both for their own use, and the use of their customers. It is unacceptable to have a vendor have to connect to an Ethernet cable or have a customer not be able to browse the web while waiting for service.
But before you run headlong into providing this great service for yourself, customers and vendors, there are a few very important questions to answer and things to keep in mind. The following guidelines are a good starting point to help guide you into a safe, secure and effective wireless network for your small business.
1. One of the first things to do is find a service provider that is both dependable and safe. As an article in AllBusiness.com states, you don't want your customers to be hacked or receive a virus while surfing the web, any more than you want a slow, dial-up speed connection. There are many service providers, from AT&T to Verizon, who offer safe, affordable wireless internet, or wi-fi, to small businesses. These connections differ based on the region of your business and should be researched before settling on just one. Also, your cable provider can give you wi-fi through the use of a wireless router, most of which are relatively inexpensive to rent or own.
2. Another thing to keep in mind is which sites you want blocked and which are approved. You don't want your customers or employees perusing sites which you do not find acceptable to the business place. This can be achieved by you as the administrator by encrypting certain websites and not allowing a connection to other outside networks that you have not approved, according to informit.com. This will ensure not only a safe place for your customers, but will also remove temptations from employees and vendors who want to browse time-wasting sites.
3. As mentioned earlier, it also important to keep your internet software and virus protection constantly updated as this will eliminate pop-ups and offensive ads. A virus can cripple your entire internet networking system, allowing valuable files and secrets to be leaked to a hacker. It is therefore imperative to keep up with the very latest protection software. Your wi-fi provider will probably provide a basic protection against viruses and hacking, but additional protection should also be considered, depending on the confidentiality of files your computer may contain.
4. Additionally, it is important to make sure that, should the need arise, your vendors can connect to a wired network. Many laptops are still not equipped with wireless technology, and it is imperative that your wi-fi connection is flexible and can be tapped into using a wired router. You don't want to be handicapped by your technological strides. They should be a help, not a hindrance.
5. Finally, as your business grows, so will the need for a more advanced wi-fi system. According to Microsoft, an outside technology firm should be consulted if creating a network for more than six employees. As the number of computers that will be connecting to the network rises, so does the need for additional bandwidth and a stronger connection to the actual network. A larger business means more people demanding internet access, and a weak network will mean slow, weak connections for your customers and employees. It is therefore important to check up on the status and strength of your network from time to time in order to ensure a continuance of good performance.
Joshua Newby
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