I recently upgraded my internet connection to cable internet and I have to admit, while I didn’t feel like things were particularly slow before, I do notice how speedy it is to get some work done now. I have been party to the debate about how important internet connection is for a home business a time or two and I cannot help but straddle the fence on this one—I think it all depends…
If you just use your home business computer for e-mail correspondence and some desktop publishing, you might be able to save some money by going with a slower internet connection. If you manage your web site (including design), take online orders, send large documents or graphics via e-mail, etc. then having a more technologically advanced and speedy internet connection may be imperative.
I do not send a lot of huge files (but I do send some) and I do not do super-technologically challenging things on my computer that demand a high speed internet connection, but I do need to do internet research, send files and documents, and open things that come from other people. I was surprised to find how a faster, more reliable connection made a pretty big difference in my efficiency with my business. It IS costing me a bit more though and the jury is still out on whether or not the increased efficiencies justify the added expense or whether the whole “upgrade” will pay for itself as an investment in my home business or not. For all of us, any advancement in technology needs to be considered based on whether it is inevitable, necessary and how it affects the home business bottom line. Not to mention, whether or not it makes our work day smoother and more efficient on a noticeable level.
See Also: the COMPUTERS BLOG