We have all been there. Helping a customer, working on an order, streaming music, when the Wi-Fi fails. Maybe it is excessive buffering, or slow downloads, or the signal doesn’t reach certain areas of the vicinity. The dreaded word “loading” appears and with it, our patience drains.
Slow and unstable Wi-Fi signals are without a doubt one of the most frustrating issues to have as a small business owner. In a day and age when so much of our daily life and business relies on a strong Internet connection, the lack there of is no small thing. When it comes to ensuring your business or workplace is going to have the best Internet connection possible, there are a few factors to consider.
One of the first things to do when focusing in on troubleshooting your businesses’ Wi-Fi connection is to test your current Internet speed. Once you know your current speed, it will be easier to determine if it’s your Wi-Fi that is having problems or if it’s a network issue. To properly conduct an Internet speed test, be sure to use a wired connection rather than a wireless connection. Connecting an Ethernet cable directly to the modem/router's Ethernet port will always show the true speeds your network is delivering.
Simple steps to accurately test your businesses’ Internet Speed:
- Limit the amount of applications that are using an Internet connection on your device.
- Find the Ethernet connection on your computer and connect this to the modem/router’s Ethernet port.
- Confirm all connections, including power and Ethernet, are tightly connected. Check for lights in the modem/router to verify.
- Perform the test.
- Your test will show you download and upload speed results.
When running the speed test from altafiber, use Internet Explorer, make sure your Flash is up to date, and test on a desktop for best results. Once you’ve ruled out a network issue, you can focus on maximizing your Wi-Fi’s performance. There are many things that can degrade your Wi-Fi speeds and signal strength.
One of these factors is the location of the wireless modem/router. The placement of your modem/router is determined by the technician at the time of installation. Other factors such as the size and construction of your building and materials in the building can also interfere with Wi-Fi. This breaks down into:
Low: Wood, Synthetic Material, Glass
Medium: Water, Bricks, Marble
High: Plaster, Concrete, Metal
To help overcome these physical barriers, the eero Wi-Fi system is a great product that creates a mesh network throughout your business ensuring coverage to every square foot.
Each device’s wireless standards, distance from your modem/router, interference from other electrical equipment/devices, interference from others network, and objects in the way can also impact the performance of your wireless signal. As can outsiders who like to piggyback on unsecured wireless. Be sure to secure and password protect your Wi-Fi to protect your connection.
One final factor to take into consideration is the number of simultaneous device connections. Multiple devices connected simultaneously to the Wi-Fi router will slow down Internet speeds for all devices. Depending on your internet plan, there’s only so much bandwidth to go around. So, if your business receives heavy interaction from customers accessing your Wi-Fi, your bandwidth will be stretched and wireless Internet speeds for their devices will be slower.
Of course in today’s ever connected society, the problem could simply be there isn't enough bandwidth to meet the needs of your business. Your friends at altafiber can help you figure out exactly how much Internet you need for your business – without any headache.
Whatever your relationship with Internet looks like, it has become an essential part of day to day business and needs to run smoothly. When working towards maximizing your Wi-Fi, knowing the most common problems is the key to staying connected to what matters.