Which WiFi is Right for Your Business
Is Your WiFi a Good Fit For Your Business?
Being able to count on WiFi at your business is essential. It gives you and your employees the ease to work from laptops, phones, or tablets, plus customers get convenient wireless internet access while patronizing your business.
The right WiFi setup at your business can help improve employee productivity and customer experiences, lower costs, and protect business data and functions.
So figuring out what you need and addressing connectivity issues you might be experiencing is critical to keeping your business running effectively.
WiFi vs. Internet
Though they work together, WiFi and internet are not the same things.
WiFi is the wireless network connecting nearby devices and sharing internet via hotspots. The internet is a global network of networks where computers communicate via Internet Protocol.
Most pointedly, you have to keep in mind that WiFi is hardware-driven. In some instances, your connectivity issues could be WiFi- or hardware-related.
Routers
Some businesses will have the option to use their hardware for WiFi vs. using a specific router from their internet provider. But that choice often comes down to the WiFi provider and level of WiFi service a business has.
For example, Sparklight Business customers can use their own router regardless of WiFi service, including basic WiFi to managed Wifi. But the provider also has several router options with technology that could help boost speed and reliability or the best or recommended fit for a particular business and level of service they need.
“I think of it like a hierarchy, in terms of the types and levels of WiFi products or types we offer,” explains Hassan Rafi, lead product manager at Sparklight Business.
He says that getting the level of WiFi technology that best serves your needs and the ability to deliver reliable WiFi to your business is most important.
“A solid WiFi connection means you don’t have to worry about whether your network is up and running,” Rafi adds. “That reliability factor can allow you to put your attention elsewhere in your business.”
WiFi Options/Needs
Like internet options, the type of WiFi service best suited for your business depends on several factors, ranging from your speed and reliability requirements and how you want to manage the network.
If you offer guest WiFi for customers, choose a WiFi provider/service that can deliver quality location analytics, revealing visitor capture rate, user visit time, and repeat visits by listening to wireless devices. These are powerful metrics you can use to help your business grow.
In addition to the user data you capture, having free WiFi for customers gives you a chance to direct them to a landing page and promote special events or products and services.
Determining the type of WiFI service and provider you need also depends on other factors, such as your administration or management preference and security requirements. There are options for managed Wifi services, and some providers offer router- or security-focused managed services and technology.
For example, with managed WiFi, you get a cloud-based customer portal and user app that enables you to configure, manage and monitor their Wi-Fi network and user activity – from anywhere, at any time.
Mesh WiFi
For a more consistent WiFi signal at your business, you may want to get a mesh system, which is an excellent option if you’re trying to cover large spaces or multiple floors.
Mesh WiFi can eliminate dead zones in big spaces by joining two or more WiFi access points to create and share a single WiFi network.
With a traditional router system, you can install extenders to expand the signal to the dead spaces, which requires creating separate networks for different locations at your business. Because Mesh WiFi is one single network, it doesn't require constant reconnections.
Now that you know about some different types of WiFi, you can pick the best fit for your business!