Operating a home or business without a high-quality Internet Service Provider simply isn’t an option anymore. These days, the internet is too integrated in our society to consider living without one. As a result of its booming popularity and the increased need to use the internet, the amount of Internet Service Providers has exploded, providing consumers with more choice and better options.
However, this comes with a downside as well: The decision about which service to use has gotten much more complex. A variety of factors must now be considered before making any final Internet Service Provider purchases. As such, here’s a look at six factors you should consider when selecting an Internet Service Provider.
1. Reliability
If an Internet Service Provider has frequent downtime issues, service interruptions or extended periods of low speed, it’s not going to serve you any purpose. Make sure to do your research on the reliability of a company. This is even more important if you own a business, or rely on a steady internet connection to do business.
2. Regular Plan Costs
Most Internet Service Providers give you some sort of promotional pricing for the first few years, after which the regular pricing kicks in. Don’t just allow yourself to be blinded by a low promo price. Make sure you know what the normal plans cost and how often you can expect to be looking at price increases. Furthermore, some Internet Service Providers offer you the option to lock in your rate if you sign a contract for a set period of time. This option may be beneficial for you.
Buying an Internet Service Provider is about more than just making a purchase for the moment. Switching can be difficult, and you want to make sure that you get a price that will meet your needs in the long run.
3. Promotional Pricing
Given the heavy amount of competition behind the rise of the internet, and the fact that this can be such a lucrative business, many companies issue heavy discounts to get you to sign up. These deals do not last forever, but they can be a good way of getting you to try a new service and seeing if you like it.
Compare promotional pricing between Internet Service Providers and see what option best fits your needs. If a company isn’t offering a discount at the moment, it may be worth waiting out, as these discounts tend to come up pretty frequently.
4. Customer Service
No matter how good a company is, at some point, you will have a question you can’t answer or a problem you need to be resolved. That’s when high-quality customer service becomes very, very important.
Some Internet Service Providers are known for their exceptional and highly responsive customer service; others, unfortunately, are known for just the opposite. Make sure you do your research so you know how fast you will be able to get a problem resolved or a question answered.
5. Flexibility
Many Internet Service Providers offer different bundles of services which may be bunched with cable, home phone, security systems or more. These bundles can help you save a good amount of money on your purchases, but they may come with a loss of flexibility. If you do purchase one of these bundles, find out what options you will have to change, downgrade or upgrade services at a later date. Some Internet Service Providers offer no flexibility; others offer such flexibility, but only with a hefty fee. Whether or not you may be willing to accept such a fee depends on your own individual situation, but this is something to consider before making any purchase.
6. Overall Speed
Like reliability, an Internet Service Provider is only good if the speed is satisfactory. Make sure to check out the speeds that the provider offers in your area. Then, before making any final purchase, examine websites which can give you a good grasp of the speed the Internet Service Provider offers in your area, or ask friends and neighbors who use the service in question about their experience.
Also, don’t be confused by “peak speed” – you want to make sure that you get the average, normal speed that the service can offer during its busiest hours.
Many factors go into making an Internet Service Provider purchase. This is a major decision, one that may cost you thousands of dollars every year, and certainly one which will have a significant impact on your life. Take this decision seriously, do your research, ask questions, and take your time. Doing so will ultimately result in a better home or business experience for you, your family or your employees.