Ten Ways to Make Your Life as an Internet Provider Easier
From ISPs and WISPs to networks in libraries, businesses and universities, Internet use is on the rise. However, as the demand for Internet access continues to grow around the world, so do the opportunities and challenges for service providers. As quickly as your user base grows, obstacles faced by providers begin to emerge. From competition to disgruntled customers, a company that once seemed confident of success can quickly put the will of even the most seasoned and tech-savvy business and business owners to the test. network administrators. However, for all types of ISPs, there are ways to make the process easier.
For all providers …
1. Set limits from the beginning – When starting a new service, do not allow your users to run wide. It may be fine to have no limits on user fees when you only have 10 users sharing a 10 mega link, but when you get to 100 users sharing a 10 mega link, you will need to put rate caps for everyone. The problem with waiting is that your original users will get used to higher speeds and will not be happy with sharing as your business expands, unless you apply some reasonable restrictions in advance.
2. Prevent your network from crashing – Many ISPs believe that if they set maximum rate limits for their users, their network is safe from being blocked due to congestion. However, if you are oversold on your containment rates, you will crash and simple rate caps are not enough. Don’t make this mistake.
This may seem obvious, but let me explain. We often come across operators with 500 users on a 20 mega link. They then offer two rate plans: 1 mega up and down for consumers and 5 mega up and down for businesses. They then put rate limits on each type of user to make sure they don’t exceed the allotted amount. Somehow this is supposed to exonerate the trader from an oversold. This is all very well, but if you do the math, 500 users on a 20 mega link will overwhelm your link at some point and no one will be able to get anywhere near the “promised amount.”
If you are oversold, you will need more than rate caps to avoid crashes. At some point, you will need to opt for a Layer 7 modeler like Packeteer or Allot NetEnforcer. However, you can use a NetEqualizer. Your only other option is to keep adding bandwidth.
3. Good technical support is essential – Don’t put all your faith in the local guru who set up your network. There are many good technicians and many more who will ruin your business. This can make for some really tough decisions. I like to use this analogy:
I’m not a concert pianist, not even close, so I can’t tell the guy who cuts playing Beatles tunes at the piano bar in my local pub from a Julliard-trained pianist. Since I can’t touch a lick, everyone amazes me. Well, the same applies to non-technical business owners who hire network technicians or developers. They all seem incredibly smart when, in fact, they can run you to the ground. The only way to find out is to find someone with a really good track record of making things work for people. So I asked.
The good guys have no vested interest in making a custom dynasty of their business (another thing to keep in mind). It is like the doctor who needs the patient to get sick. You do not want that. Poor or wrong technical support can be the main cause of ISP failures or problems with the sale of your business.
4. Don’t spend too much – ISP and WISP, remember that in the open market your business is likely to only be valued at three quarters of your income, so don’t fool yourself or spend too much on equipment and borrow thinking that a white night is coming. . If your income is $ 500,000 per year, you will be in good shape if you get $ 400,000 for your business. And this can cover your debt. Yes, there are exceptions and you may get a little more, but don’t expect double your income. It’s just not going to happen, so plan your expenses accordingly.
For network administrators of companies and public and private institutions, financing is not always a fact. Budget cuts and reallocation of funds can leave managers in a bind. Therefore, be wise when planning and managing your network. Consider things like recurring costs and license fees when making purchases. Over time, these expenses can add up.
5. Optimize your bandwidth – A NetEqualizer bandwidth controller will allow you to increase your user base by 10-30 percent without having to purchase additional resources. This allows you to increase the number of people you can put into your infrastructure without expensive construction. However, a purchase like this can be a difficult decision. It is better to think long term. A NetEqualizer is a one-time cost that pays for itself in approximately 4 months. On the other hand, the purchase of additional bandwidth continues to increase month after month.
For commercial ISPs and WISP …
6. make sure you have a user base to grow – For ISP and WISP, maybe 500 homes before starting to build. Yes, you can do it for less, but 500 is kind of a magic number where you can pay yourself and maybe hire help so that you can be profitable and take a day off. WISPs and ISPs with 100 clients are great, but, at that size, they’ll still be a hobby that you may not be able to get rid of for a couple of years in the future.
7. Be the reliable alternative – If you are in a dense metropolitan area and have the resources, you can offer Internet connections to hotel and business customers with pay-as-you-go services. Many hotels and businesses have unreliable or no connections. Obviously, you will need real estate across the street, but once secured, you can point a directional antenna at the building and give your signal a recognizable name for your users to connect with. Then offer them the connection for a daily fee. For many users, it will be worth paying a small daily fee for a reliable service, especially if the hotel or company offers poor Internet service, none at all, or a connection for an exorbitant price.
8. make payment as easy as possible – When a customer is behind in paying their bill, make sure you have a way to direct them to a payment site. Don’t just cut your service and wait for them to call. For small operators, there is no need to automate the payment cycle, just send them to a static page that tells them how to pay their bill. For larger operators (3,000+ users), the expense of automatic bill pay may be worth the additional cost, but with a smaller group of customers, a static redirect to a page with instructions and a phone number will suffice.
9. Find a competitive credit card processor – Your bank is likely to provide you with a service, but it is generally an intermediary in this transaction. There are credit card processing agencies that sell their services directly and can be more profitable. These are obvious dollars that accumulate each month in savings.
10. Cross Market – Don’t be shy about it. Once you have a captive audience, there are all kinds of cross-marketing ideas you can do to earn additional income. Tastefully done, your users won’t mind. This could be special with the local car dealer offering them coupons. Or something like a pizzeria. There is unlimited potential here, and if you are not taking advantage of it, you are losing easy income.
Obviously, these 10 tips will not apply to all Internet providers, but it is almost a fact that at least some of these problems will arise over time. While there is no guarantee that a network will function perfectly, these tips should help steer ISPs and network administrators in the right direction.