When downtime strikes, the idle time has the potential for a devastating impact on small- to medium-sized businesses. According to Gartner, the average cost of network downtime is ~$5,600 per minute... that's $300,000 per hour. While that figure may seem high, there are invisible costs that many owners may not take into consideration. Idle employees, lost opportunities, and recovery time are all worth considering - and these costs do add up.
For businesses that are targeted by a ransomware attack, the costs can be even higher.
What Are the Benefits of Backup Internet?
Internet providers themselves often experience downtime when traffic is up on their network - something that has become more common as more people are spending time online while at home. Scheduled or impromptu maintenance, line breaks, equipment failures, and more can also wreak havoc on uptime. While there are some instances where downtime is unavoidable, SMBs are able to prepare ahead of the game.
Minimizing Downtime
Backup internet isn't the same as having a cloud-based backup of your hard drive. Rather, it's a secondary internet connection from another provider that is an ever-present alternative to your main connection. The likelihood of two internet service providers (ISPs) experiencing downtime simultaneously is incredibly low, meaning that there is a near-constant uptime that bolsters your connectivity.
Continual Cloud-Based Backups
Uninterrupted Client Satisfaction
The digital marketplace is on the rise, but online retailers aren't the only ones relying on the internet to bolster their businesses. Emails and form submissions are two of the most common routes for consumers to connect with a business to show interest and gain more information about their products or services. Unfortunately, if your internet is down, there is no way to connect with those clients. Each minute that passes is a minute that they're exploring the competition and seeking out alternatives.
In the case of a disgruntled customer, communication is key. Responding to customer care emails and online reviews is imperative to maintain your company's reputation and to establish credibility. Without an active internet connection, those questions and comments are left unattended for an unknown period of time. Backup connectivity ensures that you're always able to connect with your clientele, answering any questions and staying connected when you're needed most.
Why Not Use Cellular?
Most modern cell phones have the ability to double as wireless access points, relying on their 4G or 5G data connectivity to relay a signal to devices for an additional monthly fee. While this may work for smaller teams in areas with dense cellular coverage, there are limitations. For more rural businesses or those in dead zones, cellular capabilities for one device can often be a struggle. Coupling a single low-quality connection with multiple data-hungry devices can slow workflow to a crawl - if it even works at all.
While the extra cost incurred varies between providers, the benefit and assurance that it brings for companies that depend on an internet connection to communicate with their clients and get work done is invaluable.
Get in touch with our team at SeedSpark today to learn more about backup connections and the benefit that they bring to your team and your clients.
