The internet is so integrated into your daily business life that it can be easy to take it for granted and just sign up for any old broadband package that gets you online. But with how competitive the UK broadband market is, it’s always worth taking the time to research what’s out there.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to consider when comparing business broadband.

Think about your broadband priorities

It’s easy sign up to the first broadband deal that meets your requirements, but remember that every business will have specific needs and priorities. For example, think about how the industry you’re in and the nature of your operations influence your online needs. Use this checklist to figure out the type of service you need:

1. How does your business use broadband?

If you’re a sole trader with a website, you won’t need as robust broadband as someone with several employees who all need to access the internet at the same time. For example, browsing the web and sending emails only really requires between 1 and 5 Mbps, whereas streaming 4K video will need at least 200.

Planning this way means you won’t waste money on a service you don’t need and will stop you from having an inadequate service for your needs.

2. Fast speed

Speed is of course one of the main priorities for any broadband user, business or domestic. Business broadband providers regularly offer speeds up to 1000Mbps, which will allow you to perform downloads at superfast speeds.

A good rule of thumb is that the more people you employ, the higher the speed you’ll need. If you employ under ten people, you can generally get by on between 25 and 100 Mbps. For 30 employees or above, however, you should be looking at 1000 Mbps or above, especially if you’re hosting servers or working from the cloud.

While fast broadband is appealing to any business, make sure you’re not paying for a speed you don’t need – if you’re a sole trader running your business from a laptop, you probably don’t need gigabit internet!

3. Value for money

Ensuring you’re within your budget for any service your business uses is important, and with broadband, there are literally hundreds of options on the market, so there’s no need to settle on a price you’re not happy with.

If you’re already subscribed to a business broadband package and want to get a better deal, let your provider know – they might match another supplier’s price or lower your plan to keep you as a customer.

Remember: getting value for money doesn’t just mean getting the cheapest price, as you might not mind paying more for a better service.

4. Technical and customer support

You’ll need to make sure that someone is always on hand to help you if your service goes down. It doesn’t matter how good a broadband package is if the customer service leaves something to be desired, so make sure you do your research before fully committing to a deal.

Sites such as Trustpilot can give you some insight into this from real customers. You’ll want to look out for 24/7 troubleshooting and dedicated account management.

5. Business broadband features

While it can be tempting to simply sign up for a standard home broadband package (especially if you primarily work from home), specialised business broadband has a range of exclusive features that are vital when using the internet for commercial purposes:

Scalability

You should always plan for growth where your business is concerned. Being able to quickly and easily upgrade your broadband package as your business grows and your needs change is one of the best features of business broadband.

Static IP Address

Business broadband will give you access to a static IP address, which stays the same over time (compared to a dynamic IP address which changes each time you connect to the internet). This essentially allows you to host your own website as well as virtual private network (VPN) and email servers, meaning that you and your employees can access your company’s network remotely. This is a lot more secure than a dynamic IP address thanks to better firewall rules, keeping your data safe.

Backup connectivity

This is essential if you’re running an online service. Backup connectivity kicks in if your standard connection goes down, meaning important functions continue running. This is usually done using 4G and is a standard part of many business broadband plans.

Better security

Business broadband on the whole offers security features that will make your connection more secure than standard broadband. Firewalls, antivirus protection, intrusion detection systems and the previously mentioned static IP address will help protect your business from cyber threats and won’t always be included with home broadband as standard.

Manual comparison

Comparing manually by doing your own research does take longer, but has the benefit of giving added detail. Using this method, you’re able to see fully what a business broadband deal offers and keep track of important features more easily.

With the number of plans available, you’ll probably find that many are similar or offer the same kinds of features and speeds, so your decision may come down to your previous experience with providers.

If your home broadband is with Sky (for example) and you’re happy with the service, you might be tempted to go straight there for your business solution. Even if that’s the case, though, it’s still worth comparing it to other plans.

Using comparison sites

Comparison sites are now the most common way to find a business broadband provider and can help you weigh up the costs and features of different packages without having to constantly switch between different websites.

While these can be helpful, due to the amount of information on one page, you might not get a comprehensive look at all the providers. If you’re looking to upgrade your business broadband or shopping for your first, check out Small Business’s broadband checker to find the right package for you.

See also:

Business Broadband vs Residential Broadband –  Businesses need to be online and available in a way which matches their needs. Here’s the advantages of business broadband to your firm.

10 card payment machines ideal for small business – Tim Adler breaks down the hardware and functionality of the best payment machines currently on the market.