Building Your Own Network? Avoid These Pitfalls

Building Your Own Network? Avoid These Pitfalls

Setting up your business network yourself can seem like a smart way to save money. After all, how hard could it be to connect some routers, switches, and cables? I’ve met many business owners with the same thought, until they run into slow connections, frustrated employees, and unexpected downtime. Network installation mistakes might seem small at first, but they can end up costing you time, money, and peace of mind.

I recently helped a retail store that ran into this exact issue. The owner had installed their own network, thinking they’d save a few bucks, but customers kept complaining about dropped Wi-Fi during checkout. After a few stressful weekends of lost sales, they reached out to me. We found that several key mistakes, like poor cable management and missing access points, were at the root of the problem.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the most common network installation mistakes I see and how you can avoid them. With the right planning, your DIY network can run like a pro setup, and save you a lot of headaches down the line.

Choosing the Wrong Equipment

Many business owners try to cut corners by using consumer-grade routers or switches. The problem? These devices aren’t built to handle the heavy demands of a growing business. I once helped a small office that was using a basic home router to support 20 employees. It worked fine at first, but as soon as they started using video conferencing tools, the entire network slowed to a crawl.

Invest in business-grade networking equipment designed for high traffic and better security. Ensure the equipment matches your business's current and future needs. When deciding on what network equipment to purchase, you have to think about future scalability.

Skipping a Network Design Plan

Jumping straight into installation without a plan is a recipe for chaos. I worked with a business that ran cables wherever they could find space—across desks, under carpets, and through doors. When something went wrong, no one knew where the cables led, making troubleshooting a nightmare.

Map out your network layout in advance, including where cables, routers and switches will go. Be sure to plan for future growth to avoid having to tear everything down and start over in the future. If you plan your network infrastructure the right way, you should never have to overhaul your network infrastructure again.

Ignoring Structured Cabling

A tangled mess of cables can lead to more than just an eyesore—it can cause network interference, delays, and maintenance issues. One retail store I visited had so many tangled wires in their back office that they accidentally unplugged their router during a busy shift, cutting off their internet for 30 minutes.

Use structured cabling best practices to keep cables organized and labeled. Plan cable runs to minimize interference and make troubleshooting easier to save you time and money.

Inadequate Wi-Fi Coverage and Poor Placement

Wi-Fi issues are a common frustration for businesses. I once worked with a coffee shop that had placed their router in a storage closet, assuming the signal would reach the whole café. Customers kept complaining about spotty Wi-Fi, and it wasn’t hard to see why—walls and appliances were blocking the signal.

Use a site survery or heatmap to identify the best locations for wireless access points. Make sure to install enough wireless access points to fit the size of the space you need to cover so there aren't any dead zones.

Forgetting to Secure the Network

Cybersecurity might not be top of mind when setting up a network, but it should be. One business I worked with skipped basic security settings, thinking they weren’t a target. A few months later, they were hit with a ransomware attack that locked them out of their systems for two days.

Set up firewalls, VPNs, and WPA3 encryption to protect your network. Use access controls to limit who can connect to your network and manage sensitive data. Always make network security a top priority when installing a new network.

Not Prioritizing Traffic with QoS (Quality of Service)

Without traffic management, your most important tools—like video calls or payment systems—might get bogged down by non-essential traffic. A client of mine, a restaurant, struggled with online orders dropping during peak hours because their network was overwhelmed with staff streaming music and videos.

Use QoS settings to prioritize business-critical applications. Limit non-essential traffic to keep your network running smoothly during busy times. Your network is supposed to be an Ally when it comes to running your business, not your enemy.

Overlooking Network Monitoring and Maintenance

It’s easy to set up a network and forget about it—until something goes wrong. Without monitoring, small issues can escalate into major problems. One client I helped only realized their network was running slow after customers started complaining about laggy online orders.

Install network monitoring tools to detect problems early to save time and money when issues arise. Schedule regular maintenance and software updates to keep your network secure and performing at an optimal level.

Ignoring Redundancy and Backup Systems

Many businesses assume their network won’t fail—until it does. One call center I worked with didn’t have a backup router. When their main router crashed, the entire operation was down for hours, costing them business and frustrating employees.

Use redundant hardware like backup routers and multiple switches (using spanning tree protocol) to prevent downtime on your network. Be sure to set up automatic backups to protect your data in case of a network failure.

A Business That Paid the Price for Network Installation Mistakes

A small retail store I helped tried to install their network themselves, hoping to save some money. They skipped planning, used cheap equipment, and overlooked Wi-Fi coverage. Customers complained about slow transactions, and staff were constantly frustrated by dropped connections. After a few months of struggling, they brought me in to fix the mess.

We reorganized their cabling, installed business-grade routers and access points, and added QoS settings to prioritize their POS system. The result? Fewer complaints, faster checkout times, and happier staff and customers.

Save Time and Money by Getting It Right the First Time

Setting up a network yourself can seem like a good idea, but the smallest mistakes can lead to big problems. From poor equipment choices to skipped security steps, these mistakes cost time, money, and productivity.

By planning your network carefully, using the right tools, and prioritizing maintenance, you’ll avoid the most common pitfalls. And if things still feel overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to a networking professional. Investing in a well-built network now will save you from costly headaches down the road.

Your business deserves a network that works as hard as you do, so get it right from the start! Give JLP Tech a call today if you need help getting your network right!

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