Are you struggling with a slow internet connection that causes constantly buffering and loading pages? If so, don't worry — you're not alone. Many Southern California businesses struggle with slow internet connections, which keep them from staying productive and profitable.
Related article: Improving internet quality with good network design
Thankfully, there are many simple fixes out there, any of which could instantly improve internet performance. In this blog post, we will discuss some simple tricks that you can use to help optimize your internet connection and make it faster.
Allocate your bandwidth properly
Just because you have unlimited, high-speed internet doesn’t mean that you should allow your employees to use up available bandwidth. Access points can only accommodate a limited amount of data, so even if you’re on the fastest, most expensive internet plan available, users can still experience slow internet if too many of them are simultaneously doing high-bandwidth activities.
Set internet usage policies explaining what kinds of internet activities are allowed on the office internet connection and what aren’t. This will make sure that your bandwidth is only used for business purposes.
Give your router some rest
In most scenarios, users leave routers running on a 24/7 basis, and this is not necessarily a bad thing because modern routers are designed to be energy efficient and capable of running for long periods of time. However, just like any machine, routers can break down or encounter issues that lead to poor performance.
A simple way to maximize the life of your router — and in turn, improve its performance for longer — is by giving it some rest every now and then. Turning your router off even for just an hour or two over the weekend can be enough for its performance to stay consistent throughout the week.
Reposition your router
One of the most common reasons why wireless internet connections underperform is improper router positioning. Most of the time, Wi-Fi signals are obstructed by wireless interference or physical structures, which leads to slow internet and even connection drops. Place your router in a spot that has the least obstructions; for instance, many offices mount their Wi-Fi access points on the ceiling just to avoid all forms of interference.
Use wired internet connections
Wired (Ethernet) connections are more reliable than WiFi connections, and certain Ethernet cabling can accommodate wider bandwidths than WiFi. These are great for tasks that require heavy bandwidth use, such as uploading data-dense files or hosting live multimedia streams.
Related article: 5 Tips To Speed Up Your Office Internet Connection
Install antivirus software and malware scanners
Beling hijacked by viruses or malware will result in poor internet performance. Browser hijacking happens when a malicious actor injects their software into a computer to steal information, spy on users, display persistent advertisements, or even deploy more software.
To prevent browser compromise, make sure to install antivirus software and malware scanners on all of your computers. Aside from helping optimize your internet performance, these tools are absolutely essential to protecting your entire information system from cyberthreats.
Regularly clear your browser cache
When you browse websites, browsers collect and store small bits of information about you, called cookies. These cookies are used to make future internet browsing more personalized. But over time, they can accumulate and cause problems such as browser instability and increased bandwidth usage.
There is also the danger of the cookies being used in sketchy ways such as bombarding your browser with ads. Regularly clearing your browser cache prevents the accumulation of cookies, helping reduce your internet burden and cybersecurity risk.
Improving internet performance is a matter of paying attention to the little things. Small adjustments in router placement, browser usage, or bandwidth allocation can do wonders for your connection. But not all internet issues are easy to fix. So it’s always best to partner with a tried and tested technology support provider like USWired to get you through the complicated stuff. Contact us today to learn about our services.
