The internet is a vital part of doing business in the modern world. It provides companies with a way to reach new customers, connect with existing ones, and promote their products and services beyond the traditional means. However, the internet can also be a very volatile place. Service outages and attacks are not uncommon, which is why it is so important for businesses to have a backup internet connection.
In this article, you’ll learn what backup internet is and how it is essential to all businesses. Let’s begin!
What is a Backup Internet?
In simple terms, a backup internet is your fallback connection whenever your primary network goes down, regardless if it’s because of network congestion or technical issues. Once your second connection detects that you don’t have any internet, it will automatically turn on to keep your business running.
I have a reliable internet provider. Isn’t that enough?
Even though you have the most reliable internet provider in the world, you will still experience network outages every now and then, especially for reasons that you and your ISP cannot control. Let us tell you some of the factors that usually cause internet outages.
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Natural disasters and unforeseen events
One of the most common reasons for an internet outage is a natural disaster. If there’s a typhoon, earthquake, or flooding in your area, the chances are high that your connection will be cut off. The same goes for accidents and other unforeseen events that may damage underground cables or disrupt power lines, especially if you have DSL or cable internet.
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Network maintenance
From time to time, your internet provider will need to do some maintenance or upgrades on their end, which will usually result in an internet outage. This is often scheduled in advance, but there are also times when it is done unexpectedly. Opting for a good fiber internet provider can minimize disruptions and ensure a seamless experience during maintenance or unexpected events.
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Internal issues
Even the best internet providers experience technical difficulties from time to time. For example, their servers might go down, or there could be an issue with their network.
How Internet Outages Affect Your Business
We all know how much businesses depend on high-speed internet for their day-to-day operations. That’s why when they experience outages without an internet backup in place, they could lose a significant amount of money, even during an hour of network downtime.
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Decreased productivity
Internet outages will undoubtedly lead to a decrease in productivity. Your employees will not be able to work on their computers, access the company network, or use business-critical applications. As a result, they will not be able to do their jobs properly, and your business will suffer.
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Lost revenue
An internet outage can also lead to lost revenue, especially if you have an eCommerce website or take orders online. Even a few minutes of downtime can cause you to lose customers and sales.
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Damaged reputation
In the world we currently live in, customer service is everything. If your business cannot provide good customer service because of an internet outage, it could damage your reputation, which is hard to recover from.
Advantages of Having a Business Backup Internet
There are multiple benefits of having a backup internet connection, aside from saving your business from sudden network outages.
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Lower chances of interruptions
If you have a backup internet connection, the chances of your business being interrupted by an internet outage are significantly lower. Regardless of whether your primary connection is experiencing unannounced downtimes or delivering extremely slow speeds, a backup internet can save your day.
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Increased productivity
With a backup internet connection in place, you can be sure that your employees will be productive even during network outages because they can continue with their tasks at hand, whether it’s payment processing, customer service, or taking orders.
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Minimized losses
An average business in the United States experience around 14 hours of internet downtime every year, having small businesses lose around $55,000 per year and medium-sized companies around $91,000 a year. By having a backup internet connection, you can minimize the losses caused by downtime and ensure that your business keeps running smoothly.
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Guaranteed continuity
In case of a major network outage, a backup internet connection can help ensure the continuity of your business operations. This is essential for businesses that cannot afford to lose even a minute of productivity.
Choosing a Backup Internet for Your Business
When choosing a backup internet provider, it’s essential to pick a different internet than what you currently have. So, for example, if your main internet is fiber optic, you might want to consider cable or LTE as your backup internet. It’s also important to choose a provider that’s reputable. Investing in a second internet can be costly, and many people skip it because of that. But if you consider the amount of money your business could lose during an internet outage, it’s definitely worth it.
On top of everything, you should always consider the needs of your business. Remember, every business has different needs, so it’s best to start assessing what your company requires before looking for an internet backup provider.
Conclusion
Now that you know what backup internet is and how it is important to your business make sure to have one for your business so that you don’t suffer any major losses when an internet outage occurs.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
