In cities like New York, the competition for business is high. Creating customer loyalty is key to consistent sales during the lifetime of your lease or business. In the same way, customers expect the same level of quality around your food, drinks, or services, it’s important they trust that your space will offer them the high-quality internet they need.

You’ve spent thousands and thousands on your lease, build-out, or business, it only makes sense that you protect that investment with the proper IT setup. Read further, and take a look at some examples of how poor internet affects a coffee shop, restaurant, office space, and hotel industry. 

Coffee Shop Wifi

If you’re a coffee shop, let’s do the math. 10 customers, spending $10/order, 5 days a week for 1 year is $26,000/year. This is the assumed loss of customers who no longer visit your shop because your guest wifi is poorly set up. And its very unlikely you’ll get this direct feedback from customers as to why they aren’t coming back. Upgrading is a fraction of the cost and will guarantee these customers don’t leave because they can’t connect when they’re at your shop.

Restaurant Wifi and Credit Card Processing

If you’re a restaurant, and you can’t process credit cards, it won’t be a great shift for any FOH staff. Not only will you lose that customer, but they may leave a bad review or tell friends and family not to visit your establishment. Again, the reputation of your brand should be protected with a proper high-speed internet connection so you can focus on what you do best. Protect your retail investment appropriately.

Office Space Internet Speed

If you’re in office space, let’s assume your office internet goes down for 1 hour. Not even taking into consideration the loss of potential business for your sales team, but the loss of productivity alone can cost you thousands as well. 50 employees, making $40/hour = $2,000 loss of time in just one hour! Backup internet is a fraction of that cost and has been shown to be a worthwhile investment.

Hospitality Experience

Lastly, if you’re in a hotel or similar the loss is even greater. You get one shot to impress a guest. If they can’t take that important business meeting, video chat, or can’t have their information processed for their room upon check-in you will likely lose them for good. A poor internet connection can be a several hundred dollar loss on that one bad interaction. Protect your business with the right setup. 

Storms also have an effect on business and their high-speed internet functionality. Over the past decade, advancements have helped reduce downtime, but there’s still a chance there will be downtime. Looking to learn more? Check out this article about Superstorm Sandy, and its after-effects on internet functionality in the NYC area.

Wondering what you can do? 

1. Get Educated – check out this information on things you should know about the internet in general and its use in your everyday life.
2. Feedback Loop – if you lose a customer, do they always tell you why? Normally they leave and never return without a word. Interact with your customers, ask them the good and the bad. Provide them an opportunity to provide feedback. Speak with your employees as well. They are in space more than anyone, see what they think.
3. Backup Internet – Setup a backup internet connection that won’t go down when the mainline disconnects. There are several ways to do this. Reach out to your IT partner for recommendations. 

Interested in a free consultation for your business, shoot us an email. We’ll be happy to look at your setup and provide feedback. info@thomdigital.com