Basic Wi-Fi Setup For Small Business

You've weighed the pros and cons and have decided to offer free Wi-Fi in your establishment. Now it's time to make the next move: getting your Wi-Fi service up and running.

Installing a basic Wi-Fi setup can be accomplished in a few easy steps. Here is a list of what you'll need, some key features to look for, what type of broadband service you should select, and other considerations to watch out for when building a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Getting Started with In-Store Wi-Fi

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection in your store is basically the same process as setting one up in your home -- with a few exceptions. Before you get started, it's best to call your cable or DSL broadband provider and see what type of stipulations or restrictions there are in offering customers the ability to access your broadband connection for free. Although many cable and DSL providers do not prohibit businesses from sharing their connection, you're better off knowing what their end-user license agreement says before you begin.

With that said, let's take a look at the basic setup of a Wi-Fi hot spot and the type of equipment you'll need to get started.

1. A high-speed Internet connection: You may already have this for private use in your establishment, and you'll be able to adapt it for public use with a few minor tweaks. Otherwise you will need to contact a service provider in your area such as Verizon, Comcast, or Time Warner to set up an appointment. Many ISPs have scalable "packages" specifically targeted toward businesses to offer benefits a normal plan wouldn't, such as increased bandwidth. Depending on the speed you choose -- a 5 mbps (download) x 512 kbps (upload) link is recommended -- this connection should run you approximately $60 to $200 with bandwidth usage totaling about 10GB to 50GB per month.

2. A Cable or DSL modem and a stand-alone computer: Again, you may already be utilizing this setup for you private connection, but if you're starting from scratch, then your ISP will provide you with a modem upon installation. Your modem will act as your hub by connecting to your router -- through an Ethernet cable -- so it can broadcast the signal throughout your store. If you plan on setting up the network yourself, a modem can cost anywhere from $70 to $160. If you're buying the modem yourself rather than getting it from the ISP, be sure it's compatible with your provider's service.

3. Routers and firewalls: Among many of the performance-oriented functions a router performs, it will serve as your "air traffic controller" for patrons accessing the Wi-Fi signal; it will direct data and commands and assign different IP addresses to the computers or devices connecting to it.

A good router -- those that support the 802.11g standard are popular, as are those supporting the faster 802.11n spec -- will cost anywhere from $50 to $200. Routers with a higher price tag will include advanced capabilities such as separating your private business network from your free, password-protected, open Wi-Fi network; placing time limits on customer browsing; blocking access to certain websites; supporting WPA and WPA2 security features; and, with the setup software included, building a welcome page for you business that asks customers to enter a password to get Wi-Fi access. Nearly any router you buy will allow you to set up a password for your customers to access your network.

Implementing a firewall along with your router is a good security measure to include, as this will keep unauthorized users away from your private in-house network and provide an extra safeguard against malicious attacks. Although many routers offer built-in firewalls, experts recommend that you either buy a dedicated hardware firewall or download third-party software that will properly encrypt the data being transmitted over the open network.

4. Positioning and other considerations: One important and often overlooked step in setting up your Wi-Fi station is the placement of the router. When looking for a spot to broadcast the signal, you'll want to make sure it's placed in a central location, free of obstructions (cement walls, furniture, etc.) and away from sources of interference, such as microwaves and cordless phones. A good spot is generally at or near the middle of your establishment, and preferably closer to the ceiling.

One last thing to consider is supplying your Wi-Fi network with a dedicated power source. Although it's easy to just plug everything into one power strip, it will save you time and the hassle of knowing what to switch on and off should you need to restart the system. Having a dedicated power supply will also ensure that your network is always on and never "accidentally" switched off with the lights.