Living in the digital age means that you rely on a solid, affordable internet connection for your day-to-day operations, regardless of the industry your small business is in.

Whether it’s communicating with customers, organising your accounts or researching projects, your internet connection is the lifeline of your business.

But once you’ve chosen the right nbn plan, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your investment with some simple steps such as securing your infrastructure or providing free WiFi to customers. Here are five ways that you can use your internet for maximum benefit.

Enough speed for your needs

When the internet is down in the office, havoc ensues. An unreliable, slow or patchy internet connection can be massively disruptive for your business, making it difficult for you to access your Cloud data, answer customer queries on your VoIP line, communicate with your customers or collaborate with your colleagues. All this leads to a decrease in productivity, as you and your staff waste precious time trying to fix the issue.

 

To avoid this and to make sure that your staff are always able to complete their online jobs efficiently and effectively, make sure that your internet is up to speed. This is especially important for businesses that are dealing with downloading and uploading large video, audio or coding files. Those extra minutes that you’re waiting for each file to download can add up to hours over the course of the week!

Make sure your infrastructure is solid

Even if your business has a high-speed connection with fantastic upload speeds, it won’t mean anything unless you also have the right equipment. It’s important to think about streamlining and improving every link of the chain when it comes to getting the most out of your internet connection, and this includes your devices.

 

Outdated technology can really slow your business down, and unpatched devices are also one of the easiest ways for hackers to crack into your network. Investing in upgrading your technology will keep your connection safe, as well as meaning you can take advantage of newer technology.

 

Video for collaboration

Everyone knows about the power of collaboration in small businesses, and thankfully your fast internet connection can make it easy for you to use some fantastic collaboration apps. Whether they’re for project management, workflow management or messaging, these apps allow your colleagues to come together and easily access all the resources they need to have the full picture when it comes to team projects. Use an app like Asana for managing workflow, an app like Airtable for collaborative spreadsheets, or Slack for making quick and easy video calls to clients and colleagues.

Make sure it’s secure

When your business is doing everything online, it’s important to make sure you’re well-equipped to deal with cyber security threats. The easiest way to do this is to have a secure password management strategy in place, as well as making sure you have appropriate mobile security solutions and network access controls. This is especially true if your staff are using their own devices for work, as it means they’ll be able to safely access the VPN without compromising your IT infrastructure.

 

Setting up your WiFi so that it’s hidden and encrypted is also vital, as it will lessen the chance of hackers attempting to steal your files and data. Having said this, sometimes these threats can’t be avoided, so it’s a good idea to take out cyber data insurance. This will cover you in terms of data liability, interruptions, restoration and ransom payments.

 

Provide your customers with free WiFi

We know you’re always trying to give your clients and customers the best experience when they come to your premises. Offering them free WiFi when they visit you is a simple and easy way to score brownie points, as well as giving you a competitive edge. Offering WiFi helps to gain the loyalty of your customers, as well as increasing sales by encouraging them to spend more time at your business.

 

Making the most of your internet connection

A fast, reliable internet connection is now the key ingredient when it comes to business success. Over 35,000 businesses are now connected to services on the nbn broadband network, with 20,000 new businesses migrating every month. Make sure your business is staying competitive in the digital age by getting the most out of your connection.