Is Internet Backup for Business Really Necessary?

For businesses, internet downtime is more than just an inconvenience – it can cause them hundreds, if not thousands or millions, of dollars in losses every year. Unfortunately, majority of the businesses have already integrated internet connectivity into their operations, which makes a stable connection more crucial during these times. Internet providers have yet to provide a solution that prevents network outages permanently. But for now, the only thing businesses can rely on at the moment is internet backup.

If you’re a business owner who’s already considering internet backup for business, you’re already on the right track. Let’s explore more about this topic and uncover if your business needs an internet backup or not.

What Is Internet Backup for Business?

Generally, internet backup is a secondary internet connection that automatically kicks in when your primary connection experiences an outage. Also called as internet failover or redundant internet, this backup connection protects your businesses from the disruptions and losses caused by internet downtime.

According to a 2020 survey conducted by Open Gear, a whopping 31% of businesses responded that they lost over $1.2 million due to internet outages. Considering that these are likely large corporations, it is still a significant amount for businesses. And, of course, we’re pretty sure you don’t want to lose any money just because of network downtime.

Do You Need Internet Backup for Your Business?

As a business owner, we understand that you have doubts or reservations when it comes to getting an internet backup for business. However, although it might be tempting to believe that your internet connection is reliable enough, fiber internet for example, the reality is that no connection is completely immune to disruptions.

To help you decide, here are the key factors you need to look at when deciding if internet backup is necessary for your business or not:

Dependency on Internet Operations

Does your business heavily rely on online transactions, cloud-based applications, or remote collaboration tools? Or do customer interactions, data storage, and other essential operations require an internet connection? If so, your business might greatly benefit from an internet backup. However, if your business doesn’t rely much on internet connectivity for crucial operations, the necessity for internet backup may be less pressing.

Cost of Downtime vs. Cost of Internet Backup

Consider the financial implications of potential internet downtime. Are you aware of the direct and indirect costs associated with a loss of internet connectivity? Try calculating the potential revenue loss and factor in the broader impacts on customer satisfaction and employee productivity.

By doing this, you will understand the true cost of downtime will provide a clearer picture of the value that internet backup can bring to your business. This will also show if having an internet backup is worth spending your business resources on or not.

Industry Sensitivity

Different industries have varying tolerances for internet disruptions. If your business operates in an industry where real-time data exchange is critical, or if there are regulatory requirements demanding continuous and secure internet connectivity, the need for internet backup becomes more important.

However, when choosing an internet backup, make sure to look for reputable internet providers like Dish Internet that can give you peace of mind and security even when your primary connection starts acting up. Evaluate your industry’s specific demands and whether the nature of your operations necessitates a reliable backup solution.

Regulatory Compliance and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Review any regulatory requirements applicable to your industry that mandate a certain level of network reliability. Additionally, examine the service level agreements (SLAs) with your internet service provider to understand the guaranteed uptime and compensation in case of failures.

If your business operates in an industry with strict compliance standards or if your current internet provider’s SLAs fall short of your business requirements, internet backup becomes a valuable tool for mitigating risks and meeting regulatory obligations.

The Bottom Line

Depending on the nature of your business and its dependency on the internet, network downtime can surely be costly. It can affect your overall business performance negatively, which might lead to customer dissatisfaction, unproductivity of your employees, and more. By having backup internet in place, you’ll have one less thing to worry about and more time to focus on growing your business.