Business broadband deals

Thursday 7 July, 2011

By Garnet Roach - garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Any savvy business owner knows that searching out the best deals can get you more for your money - and broadband is no different.

Whether you’re looking for cheap internet or a top-of-the-range business broadband package, comparing deals online will help you find the right service for your company.

But make sure you think about more than just the headline price.

Choosing the right business broadband package

The first thing you need to do to find the right internet package is to think about your needs as a business broadband user; are you a small company with only a few employees, a web business relying completely on the internet or a big business looking for a fast connection to share around the office?

After you've set yourself a broadband budget, some of the most important things to think about include:

• Speed - Business broadband providers offer everything from 2Mb symmetric connections to superfast fibre optic broadband - but ask yourself if you really need the fastest, most expensive package on the market. However, you still need to consider the fact that your advertised top speed won’t necessarily be the speed you receive
• Download allowance - Both your downloads and your uploads count against your monthly data limit, so if you send a lot of large files or upload a lot of data to servers, make sure you choose a suitable package
• Support - Most business broadband providers offer 24/7 customer support to make sure that you never go offline and any faults are resolved as soon as possible.

Finding the right deal

Once you've looked at how you're going to use your connection, you should compare business broadband packages online and speak to a specialist at your chosen provider.

Many suppliers can tailor packages to suit your needs, or offer a special deal, such as free line installation or extra security, to help cut the cost of getting connected.

Bundling your business broadband

If you're signing up for an ADSL broadband connection that uses a copper phone line to get you online, then you'll also need a landline connection.

Many business broadband providers now also offer landline and calls packages, helping you to save even more and offering the convenience of dealing with just one supplier.

If you do decide to bundle, you’ll also be able to pick from a range of business phone services, including:

• Freephone 0800 numbers
• Non-geographic 0845 and 0870 numbers
• Call features such as call waiting, conference calling and voicemail to email services
• Competitive national, mobile or international call packages
• Business VoIP deals so you can make even cheaper calls over the internet.

Comparing business broadband offers

Business broadband providers regularly run special promotions and offers to help you make the most of your money.

And with packages starting from as little as £10 a month plus VAT, there will always be a deal to suit your needs - and your budget. Just don’t get carried away by attractive headline rates and cheap deals - think about the price you'll pay after any special promotion has ended, and whether or not the package even suits your business needs.

Comparing business broadband is the easiest way to find the best deal. Once you've chosen your provider, simply give them a call to talk to a specialist about tailoring your package and adding any extras.