Getting your business network right from the start is one of the best IT investments you can make. A well-designed network is fast, reliable and secure. A poorly designed one causes slow Wi-Fi, security vulnerabilities and the kind of recurring problems that waste hours of productive time every month.
We have set up networks for businesses of all sizes across London, Essex, Surrey and Hertfordshire. Here is the practical approach we recommend.
Start with a Plan
Before buying any equipment, think about what you actually need. How many people will be using the network? How many devices per person? Do you need guest Wi-Fi separate from your main network? Do staff work from home and need VPN access? Will you have CCTV or IP phones on the network?
Answering these questions first means you buy the right equipment and avoid having to replace things six months later because you underspecified.
Separate Your Network Segments
A good business network separates different types of traffic. Your staff devices should be on a different network segment from your guest Wi-Fi. If you have CCTV cameras, those should ideally be on their own segment too. This is called network segmentation, and it limits the damage if any one device is compromised.
Choose the Right Router and Firewall
Your router is the gateway between your internet connection and your internal network. For a small business, a business-grade router with a built-in firewall from Cisco, Netgear or TP-Link is the right starting point. Consumer routers from your ISP are not designed for business use and should be replaced.
For businesses handling sensitive data or subject to GDPR compliance requirements, a dedicated hardware firewall provides an additional layer of protection. The Cisco Meraki MX range is popular with our business customers across London and Essex for this purpose.
Wired Connections Where They Matter
Wi-Fi is convenient but wired Ethernet is faster, more reliable and more secure. Desktop computers, servers, printers and network switches should all be wired where possible. Run Cat6 cabling to as many workstations as practical when you are setting up, even if you are not using all the points immediately.
For London offices where cabling runs are difficult due to the building structure, powerline adapters or MoCA adapters can provide a wired-quality connection without major cable installation work.
Business Wi-Fi That Actually Works
Business access points from Ubiquiti, Cisco Meraki or TP-Link Omada provide significantly better performance and coverage than consumer routers. They support more simultaneous connections, handle interference better, and give you proper management tools.
In busy areas of London where there are many competing Wi-Fi networks, a proper business access point with good channel management makes a noticeable difference to connection reliability.
Remote Access and VPN
If staff work from home or need to access business resources while travelling, a VPN provides secure access to your network. Most business routers support VPN connections. For businesses using Microsoft 365, Azure AD joined devices with Conditional Access provides a more modern alternative to traditional VPN for many use cases.
Document Everything
Once your network is set up, document it. A simple diagram showing what connects to what, IP addresses, equipment locations and passwords stored securely means that when something needs fixing, you or your IT support can diagnose and resolve issues quickly.
We design, supply and install business networks for organisations across London and the South East. Browse our networking range, or read our networking equipment buying guide. Use code BUSINESS10 for 10% off orders over £250.
