Simple Solutions to the Most Common Internet Connectivity Problems You’ll Encounter

When running a business, your internet connection must be stable and fast since you’re dealing with corporate data along with your clients’ data. In other words, employers and employees alike must vigilantly maintain online security. However, you will likely encounter some common connectivity problems; they’re part and parcel of getting your organization up and running. Therefore, you must know how to handle issues as they arise, or better yet, prevent them from occurring in the first place. So, on that note, let’s take a look at the common internet connectivity issues you’re likely to face and their straightforward solutions.

Limited Bandwidth

Limited bandwidth is a widespread problem in the corporate world. No matter how big or small your business, the more people interacting on your network, the more bandwidth you’ll need. Employees and customers expect your Wi-Fi to work efficiently, and if it doesn’t, it reflects poorly on your organization.

When offering free Wi-Fi to your customers and staff, you must consider how many people you intend to support. Use the Robert Moskowitz rule, which is ‘120 kilobits per second for each user.’ In other words, you’ll need 1.2 megabits per second for ten users, and this will increase with more users. Estimate how much you’ll need and then compare prices at local internet service providers to get the right bandwidth level to suit your needs. 

Insecure Networks

Insecure networks can cause a lot of trouble for both employees and customers because it makes private and sensitive information vulnerable to cybercriminal activity. If people cannot make personal transactions, such as credit card payments, over your network, you will be risking your business’ security and your customers’ security, too. If you receive a notice stating that your connection is not private, this error message is your browser informing you that the website you are trying to reach is not secure. You must ensure that your network is safe to access for everyone involved. Shared access points can also be very risky, so it is best to consider two different access points for employees and customers. A Wi-Fi hotspot is an ideal solution as it helps keep your network secured. 

Always have your router’s security protocol set to the highest setting. Try to use Wi-Fi Protected Access, aka WPA, for a more robust security level – you can also take it up a notch by setting it to an even higher level, like WPA2. If your router does not support this security level, then you can either update your firmware or exchange it for something that will protect your network. In any case, avoid settling for Wired Equivalent Privacy, aka WEP, as the general consensus is that its security is relatively weak and will likely compromise your business’ network’s efficiency and safety. 

Bad Wi-Fi Network

Similarly, a bad Wi-Fi network can also put your company’s reputation at risk. If you regularly encounter customers asking to restart the router, it means that something is improperly configured in your network, making it difficult for users to connect. Recurring connectivity problems are a sign that you have a bad Wi-Fi network, and when you are connected to the internet, the connection is probably slow or unstable. 

Troubleshoot your connection to find out what is improperly configured to ensure your Wi-Fi equipment isn’t the cause of a dropping connection or slow speed. All you need to do is identify whether the cause is that your router is old, your firmware is old, or there’s some interference with nearby networks. Moreover, check the router location, and extend the connection to reach more employees and customers if necessary. 

Slow Connection

A slow connection is going to frustrate your employees and possibly put your clients off your business. Studies show that if content takes too long to load, people exit the site or platform, refrain from downloading email attachments, or may switch to a different network; this will not bode well for your business. Slow connections are easy to fix and require a similar solution to a bad Wi-Fi network. Check the router location, upgrade it with an extension, and gauge whether the slow speed is due to any nearby network interference. 

No business owner wants to put their clients’ or employees’ sensitive information at risk, nor do they want insufficient internet connections to frustrate customers to the point they decide not to deal with your company. It’s crucial that you address these common network problems before they escalate. With the above guide, you’ll know what to watch out for to prevent things like a slow internet speed from messing up your operations.