5 Important Factors in Meeting Your Small Business Connectivity Needs

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In a mobile-app, web-based world, small business owners should seek out and implement connectivity solutions that meet both company and customer needs. Maintaining fast and reliable connectivity is a key part of fostering strong customer relationships. However, figuring out how to stay ahead of the technology curve and the rising demand for on-the-go, instant communication can seem overwhelming. Here are five important factors to consider when determining how to best meet connectivity needs for your small business.

 

Business and customer WiFi

Establishing strong, fast, and reliable WiFi connectivity has become a necessity in conducting business in today’s digital business arena, both internally with employees and externally with customers. WiFi enables email communications, setting up a social media presence, hosting online meetings and chat sessions, sharing documents, video conferencing and more. If you own a brick-and-mortar business, offering WiFi access can help attract and retain customers. In a service setting, customers can connect to WiFi while waiting for a job to be finished. They can also, browse online while shopping, compare models, prices, and more. Smartphone traffic will account for 33 percent of IP traffic, while wireless and mobile devices will account for 63 percent of total IP traffic by 2021. Your business will need WiFi to keep up with rapidly growing wireless demand.

 

Boosting broadband speeds

Broadband speeds are expected to almost double by 2021, with global fixed broadband speeds expected to hit 53.0 Mbps. If you frequently upload and download large video and audio files, use a lot of apps, or have a lot of devices in your network, you need to make sure your broadband speed will adequately support those requirements. Faster speeds can help increase productivity and efficiency, and the time saved can be used to do other tasks.

 

Updated equipment

Ultra-fast broadband speed won’t help you if your network devices (computers, printers, scanners, tablets etc.) are old and outdated. So, investing in new devices with the latest software, drivers, apps and built-in technology will help you make the most out of your network connection.

 

Cloud-based data backup and business solutions

Cloud computing enables businesses to backup critical data offsite and offers invaluable protection in the event of a system failure, hacker attack, or other unforeseen technological issues. There are also other numerous advantages to working in the cloud from sharing, sending, and editing documents in real time to performing accounting functions, billing operations and more. Comcast Business offers many different cloud software solutions to fit a wide variety of business needs.

 

Network security

Small businesses are subject to multiple cybersecurity threats. Protect valuable company and employee data such as payroll accounts, user IDs, passwords, bank account numbers, sales, customer records, and more by implementing Managed IT Services which offer 24/7 system monitoring services, Advanced IP Gateway Services and more. Comcast Business is ready and able to help you evaluate, implement and maximize your small business connectivity needs.

 

 

Comcast Business has the largest IP network in the nation, serving the needs of small business through large enterprise customers. Technology solutions range from fast, reliable Ethernet and Internet connectivity to voice, video, and Managed Solutions. Comcast Business is powered by an advanced Gig-ready network and 24/7 technical support. Learn more at business.comcast.com/san-francisco.

For more tips, inspiration and San Francisco small business stories, visit smallbusinesspulse.com.​