Wi-Fi hotspots have become the backbone of most running small businesses and start-ups. A Wi-Fi hotspot is a source of accessing the Internet through a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) using a physical device such as a router. Wi-Fi hotspots are considered to be a service provided by Internet service providers. This public hotspot service is typically employed in small workspaces, cafes, and libraries. They are created using a broadband network that connects various devices to the internet. It is truly impressive how a small device can be the central point of an entire enterprise.
Nowadays Wi-Fi has become irreplaceable and a very crucial part of any business. Providing your customers with good Wi-Fi service is very important. This will keep your customers satisfied and also help in building up your business. Offering wireless internet access to your customers can help boost your brand image and in turn your sales and improve the company’s overall performance. While setting up a small business Wi-Fi hotspot, there are a few things to keep in mind. Let us discuss the best practices for setting up a small business Wi-Fi hotspot.
1. Getting to know your customers’ needs
For any business, it is very important to understand your customers’ expectations and how you can fulfil their needs. You need to first find out what kind of network is preferred by your potential customers, what their nature of the use is to determine what network speed and quality will be preferred by them. Diving into these aspects will give you a better understanding of your customers’ requirements and allow you to provide them with a service that will keep them satisfied.
2. Being equipped with the appropriate tools
Wi-Fi hotspots are a highly technical phenomenon and to implement this service, it is very important to have a strong technical setup. Having only a public hotspot setup is not enough, it should provide the customers with good speed and quality. Thus although Wi-Fi hotspot is a virtual service, the hardware is an integral part of it and its quality should not be compromised.
3. Maintenance of the tools
The hardware setup for the Wi-Fi hotspot has to be in good condition to be able to provide good service to the customers. This is the main reason why the maintenance of the tools involved is very important. The service provider should carry out regular checks and audits to make sure that the network is secure and strong and the hardware is in good condition.
4. Security of the network
When you offer a public network, one of the most important aspects is the security of the network. While installing a Wi-Fi hotspot, you should make sure that the network is safe to use. Various users using various devices will connect to the network which is why user authentication and access control are very crucial while establishing a small business Wi-Fi hotspot.
5. Using multiple SSIDs to increase network capacity and performance
In order to limit your risks when it comes to network security and also boost the performance of your network, you can try to use multiple SSIDs. The creation of multiple SSIDs limits internal security breaches and also helps in better user authentication and access control while providing the same quality of service to more users.
6. Distribution of passwords
While providing the service to your customers, they will require a certain verified password and username to be able to access the network. But sharing this password to anyone can prove to be harmful to the network and can interfere with other user activities. Thus it is important to authenticate users and provide passwords to only verified users.
These are the best practices to apply while setting up a small business Wi-Fi hotspot, one which is efficient, secure and caters to the needs of your customers.