Clue #7 - Be Free

By separating and controlling your Internet assets, you will be free to change providers when the need arises, and add and remove people from accessing your web and email, when you want.

If you are being supplied all your Internet services from your access supplier, (an ISP), chances are you are locked in to their costs and not getting the best value for money. Whereas if you have separated and gained control of your 4 main Internet components, you should be free to shop around and change your Internet Service provider when the occasion suites you.

Your overall requirements for Internet Access are only going to increase going forward, so planning for future freedom should start now.

• Avoid disruption to your business if you need to change your access provider. This means using your own domain name for your email and web addresses. See Clue #6 about controlling your domain.
• Ensure that you are on short term contract, unless you are totally satisfied that you have a service that will meet you requirements for the foreseeable future and that you have secured a discount for committing long term or paying up front.
• When team members leave, remove their access to your hosting and email systems quickly and easily, via your control panel. Likewise, when you add staff, provide them with an email address from their first day.
• Be free to choose any web designer you like, minimise use of technical consultants by controlling your Internet assets.
• Change providers whenever you desire, as there should be nothing binding you to any one.

When a new type of Internet Access technology becomes available, or an existing one becomes heavily discounted by one or more suppliers, you will be in a position to take advantage of these events.

In this brief recommendation, we have suggested that you give yourself freedom to choose who is supplying your Internet access and who can utilise your email and web hosting by controlling all your Internet assets.

Examine what components of your Internet are binding you to your current Internet service provider. If you are using their domain name or email addresses, get your own and be free to change your access or any other service when it suits you.

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