Top 5 Network Problems Small Businesses in Grand Forks Face—And How to Fix Them

A slow network doesn't just cause frustration; it costs money. Dropped RingCentral calls, lagging access to SharePoint files, and sluggish internet can bring productivity to a crawl. For small businesses in Grand Forks, these business network problems are incredibly common, but they don't have to be permanent.

Here are the top five issues we see and how you can get reliable network support in Grand Forks.

1. Weak or Spotty Wi-Fi

You walk to the other side of the office, and your signal drops completely. Sound familiar? This is often caused by a single, consumer-grade router trying to cover an entire commercial space.

The Fix: Use business-grade wireless access points strategically placed throughout your office. This ensures consistent, strong coverage everywhere. It doesn't require a massive investment, just the right equipment for the job.

2. Generally Slow Internet

You're paying for high-speed internet, but it feels like dial-up. The issue might not be your provider; it could be old hardware or a network saturated with traffic from PCs, phones, and other devices.

The Fix: A proper business firewall can manage traffic and prioritize critical applications (like VoIP). Ensuring your modem and routers aren't outdated is also crucial. An IT partner can help you assess if your current plan and hardware actually meet your business needs.

3. Inadequate Security

Many businesses operate with a "set it and forget it" mentality for their network, leaving them wide open to threats. Using default passwords or having no separate guest network is a recipe for disaster.

The Fix: At a minimum, change all default passwords on your network equipment and create a separate, isolated Wi-Fi network for guests. We are huge advocates for MFA and deploy robust security solutions like Trend Micro to proactively block threats.

4. No Real Data Backup Plan

Many small businesses assume their Microsoft 365 data is automatically backed up. It's not. A simple accidental deletion or a ransomware attack could wipe out your critical SharePoint or OneDrive data permanently.

The Fix: Implement the 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 off-site). We use tools like Veeam to back up Microsoft 365 data to the cloud and often configure a Synology NAS for a local copy, ensuring you can always recover your information.

5. Difficulty Supporting Hybrid Work

When employees work from home, they need secure and reliable access to company resources. Relying on personal networks without a secure connection is a major security risk.

The Fix: A secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) is essential for providing encrypted access to your business network. Leveraging the full power of Microsoft 365 and SharePoint also ensures your team can collaborate effectively and securely from anywhere.

Conclusion

A stable and secure network is the backbone of any modern business. You don't need a complex, enterprise-level setup, just a smart, well-managed one. Being proactive about your network is always cheaper than dealing with downtime.

Shameless Plug

Tired of fighting with your network? Axiom Solutions provides common-sense network support and managed IT services for businesses across Grand Forks. Contact us for a no-nonsense consultation.