RSS feedsAlmost two-thirds of SMEs believe the internet allows them to compete with bigger players, while three-quarters see the internet as playing an important role for their business in the next five years, according to recent research from BT.
You might assume that business and home broadband services will be the same. However, there are very specific benefits to taking out a tailored business broadband package - as well as some pitfalls to watch out for.
Ensuring that you have the right broadband package can make a huge difference to your business.
As with all business procurement issues, it is important to check the level of service on offer and the limitations of that service. For instance, you don't need a special contract for wireless service that can provide flexibility in how and where you do business. You simply need a broadband connection and a wireless router. But if you work away from the office a lot, wireless internet won't allow you to connect outside of the reach of your office signal.
If speed is important remember that standard residential broadband packages have contention rates of 50:1. This means that up to 49 other people can be sharing the same line, affecting your connection. With a business broadband package you will usually have a far more favourable connection, around 20:1 or as low as 1:1.If you think you might need to cancel your service in less than 12 months, check the small print in your contract carefully as this may incur a charge.
These days, switching ISPs is much easier than it used to be. ISPs are now obliged to provide a migration authorisation code. However, this code is not applicable to services delivered by cable. This could leave you with a break in your connection, which is not acceptable if you rely heavily on the web to do business.
Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal. In a competitive market, ISPs should be working harder to keep you as a customer. Providers often offer special promotions for new customers, so if you are at the end of your contract you should ask for the same.
Activities such as uploading information to your website and backing up your server will quickly eat up download allowances. Even if you've bought an 'unlimited' business package, you could still be restrained under the conditions of your ISPs 'fair usage' policy, which can result in having your speed 'throttled' or 'ports' blocked.
The good news is that ISPs understand that business users tend to need higher download allowances and will accommodate this. So you'll be less likely to end up with a warning from your provider to curb your usage, or being fined for excessive downloading. But it's not guaranteed, so make sure you know your limits and how flexible the provider will be from the outset as this could be costly to the business.
Value for money
As with all things in business, best value doesn't always mean cheapest. If your broadband connection, website and emails are vital to the success of your business, you're likely to find that the slightly pricier options will deliver the critical things that you need to keep your business running. Look beyond the price and get a package that really suits your business needs.
Consider things like customer service level and opening hours of the call centre before making your choice. Business packages outshine the residential ones here, as you'll get priority customer support 24 hours a day.
All of the features of a good SME broadband package will help your business grow in the way that you want it to. And remember, getting a good business broadband package isn't as expensive as you might think. Value is the key word as a business package will deliver more benefits tailored to your company's needs and ultimately more value to your business.
Broad appeal
• You don't need a special contract for a wireless service, you simply need a broadband connection and a wireless router
• Check the small print; you could incur a charge if you cancel your service within 12 months
• ISPs must provide a migration authorisation code making it easier to switch providers
• Always ask for a better deal
• Even with an 'unlimited' business package, you could still be restrained under the conditions of your ISP's 'fair usage' policy
• The cheapest deal may not necessarily represent the best value for money, so look beyond price
Michael Phillips is product director of Broadband Choices
