| There are a lot of different terms floating around | | | | everything for you in one sentence. Basically, |
| when it comes to wireless Internet access. | | | | what you want to do is utilize WiFi technology to |
| Terms such as WiFi, wireless and hotspot can be | | | | provide wireless Internet access. This means you |
| confusing. They are often used interchangeably | | | | will utilize technology and devices which are WiFi |
| although this is not always appropriate. If you are | | | | certified by the WiFi Alliance to provide visitors of |
| thinking about offering some type of wireless | | | | your business the ability to access the Internet |
| Internet access in your business location, you | | | | without using wires. |
| need to know what these terms mean so you | | | | Hopefully, this clarifies things a bit for you. One of |
| can make smart decisions. This article will decode | | | | the biggest mistakes make is assuming wi-fi |
| these terms to help you understand what they | | | | refers to the Internet connection itself. However, |
| mean, and more importantly, how they can help | | | | once you realize that the term WiFi is referring to |
| your business. | | | | the technology used to provide the Internet |
| If you are a small business owner who is | | | | access, everything becomes less confusing. So, |
| considering adding WiFi wireless Internet access as | | | | now you are really ready to provide your |
| one of the amenities offered by your business, | | | | customers with a hotspot. This just means you |
| you probably already realize how providing this | | | | will be creating an area where they can access |
| service can improve your profit margins. Many | | | | the Internet through their mobile devices such as |
| businesses such as coffee shops and cafes are | | | | laptops, cell phones, PDAs and even gaming |
| already offering wireless Internet access and | | | | devices. |
| realizing the financial gains. Not only do they | | | | Now that you understand all of the terms, it is |
| attract more customers but these customers | | | | time to get your hotspot up and running. It really |
| also tend to stay longer and purchase more when | | | | isn't incredibly difficult to set up your own wireless |
| they use the wireless Internet connection | | | | hotspot. However, if you are apprehensive about |
| provided in the establishment. Additionally, | | | | the project it is a worthwhile investment to hire a |
| providing wireless Internet access is very | | | | consultant to setup and maintain the hotspot for |
| inexpensive. You will pay a one time amount for | | | | you. They will not only make sure the installation |
| hardware and software when the hotspot is first | | | | is done right but they will also respond to outages |
| setup and you will pay nominal monthly fees to | | | | and perform periodic maintenance to ensure |
| provide and maintain the Internet access. | | | | maximum efficiency. Perhaps most importantly |
| As you can see, offering wireless Internet access | | | | though, they will make sure your sensitive |
| is typically a good idea that will help you to make | | | | information is kept private. Allowing your |
| money. However, if you are not technologically | | | | customers to access your network can be risky |
| savvy, you probably do not even know where to | | | | if the right precautions are not taken. You should |
| begin. Furthermore, you are likely to become | | | | ensure all of your personal and business |
| easily confused when you start to sort through | | | | information is either on a private network or is |
| the terms and explanations. We will simplify | | | | well protected on the shared network. |