5 Common Small Business IT Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Did you know that one of the biggest mistakes new business owners make is underestimating the importance of their IT infrastructure? In fact, according to a recent study, 60% of small businesses that experience a cyberattack go out of business within six months. That’s a shocking statistic, but it highlights just how crucial it is to get your IT setup right from the start. If you’re making any of these common small business mistakes, don’t worry—you’re not alone. At 1Wire, we help businesses like yours find the right IT solutions to keep operations running smoothly and securely.

Key Takeaways:

• Choose a VoIP phone system to avoid missed calls and lost revenue.

• Upgrade to business-grade internet and WiFi for reliability and security.

• Prioritize cybersecurity to protect your business from costly breaches.

• Plan for scalability so your IT setup grows with your business.

• Work with IT professionals to avoid DIY tech disasters.

IT Mistakes Common Business Owners Make (And How to Fix Them)

Running a common small business like a retail shop or restaurant is already demanding—you don’t need IT problems slowing you down. Imagine a retail store losing sales because of a faulty point-of-sale (POS) system caused by poor internet connectivity, or a restaurant missing online reservations due to an unstable network—issues that can also lead to dropped phone calls and frustrated customers. Many small business owners overlook critical aspects of their IT infrastructure in ways that may seem minor but can lead to major disruptions. These simple mistakes are more common than you think, and we’re here to help you avoid these costly mistakes small business owners make before they impact your operations. Here are five key areas to watch out for and how to fix them.

1. Choosing the Wrong Phone System

Your phone system is a lifeline to your customers, but many small businesses still rely on outdated or unreliable setups. These limitations can result in dropped calls, poor call quality, and an inability to handle high call volumes. Without features like call forwarding or voicemail-to-email, you may struggle to manage customer inquiries efficiently, especially during peak hours or when you’re short-staffed.

What You Can Do: Upgrade to a VoIP business phone system that offers flexibility, call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and even mobile app integration. With VoIP, you can easily add more phone terminals to accommodate growth, ensure calls can ring directly to mobile devices when employees are away, and even integrate with cloud-based software like CRMs for better customer tracking and service. This ensures you never miss a call, whether you’re managing a busy restaurant floor or running a high-traffic retail store.

2. Using Consumer-Grade Internet & Wi-Fi

Many businesses opt for residential internet plans to save money, but this can lead to slow speeds, unreliable connections, and security risks. Weak Wi-Fi coverage can create dead zones in your store, making it difficult for employees to use mobile POS systems or access cloud-based inventory. For restaurants and cafés, offering free Wi-Fi to customers is a great way to keep them on-site longer, but without proper security measures and bandwidth management, it can slow down business operations and expose sensitive data to cyber threats. If your internet goes down during peak hours, how will you process transactions, manage online orders, or keep customers connected?

What You Can Do: Invest in business-grade internet with dedicated bandwidth, professional-grade Wi-Fi solutions, and advanced security features. Considering managed Wi-Fi, firewalls, and business-grade fiber internet can help ensure seamless connectivity across your entire space, eliminating dead zones that may disrupt POS systems and cloud-based tools. Wi-Fi extenders can further improve coverage, allowing you to offer secure guest Wi-Fi that enhances customer satisfaction while protecting business operations. Additionally, robust network solutions enable IoT integration, ensuring security cameras, smart thermostats, and other connected devices operate reliably—something consumer-grade internet often struggles to support. If your business relies on seamless connectivity, evaluating these options could prevent major operational headaches.

3. Ignoring Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity isn’t just a concern for big corporations—small businesses are often targeted because hackers assume they have weaker defenses. One common risk is offering free WiFi without proper security measures. Without network segmentation, a hacker sitting in your café or retail store can easily access customer devices, steal sensitive information, or deploy malware across your network. Additionally, businesses face daily threats from phishing emails, which trick employees into clicking malicious links, leading to data breaches or ransomware attacks. Mistakes small business owners make in cybersecurity include using weak passwords, failing to update software, and not training employees on security best practices—simple missteps that can have costly consequences.

What You Can Do: Implement strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and consider managed firewalls and managed email security for enhanced protection. Unlike setting up your own firewall, which can be complex and costly, requiring an in-house IT person or an external IT firm to configure and maintain, managed solutions are continuously monitored and maintained by providers like 1Wire, ensuring your network is always safeguarded against new threats. Managed email security helps filter out phishing attempts and malicious emails before they reach employees, reducing the risk of data breaches. Regular security training for employees can also prevent costly cyberattacks and reinforce best practices.

4. Not Planning for Scalability

Many small businesses set up IT infrastructure based on their current needs, without thinking about future growth. They may believe they only need a single phone line or try to save money on internet costs, not realizing they’ve entered long-term contracts that are expensive to break. These short-term decisions can lead to costly upgrades down the line when your business expands, requiring more robust infrastructure that could have been planned for from the beginning.

What You Can Do: Choose scalable solutions from the start. Whether it’s cloud-based storage, a scalable phone system, or a flexible business internet package, thinking ahead can save you time and money. Unified Communications solutions can also help future-proof your business by integrating phone, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single platform, making it easier to scale as your team grows. Additionally, opting for business internet with sufficient bandwidth ensures that as you expand, your network can handle increased traffic, support remote employees, and integrate new technologies without costly upgrades.

5. DIY IT Support Instead of Professional Solutions

Trying to handle IT issues in-house might seem like a cost-saving move, but without expertise, small mistakes can turn into expensive disasters. The costs of hardware, software licenses, and cloud service subscriptions can quickly add up, and without the right planning, businesses often find themselves paying for underutilized or incompatible solutions. Additionally, setting up IT infrastructure requires professional wiring and ongoing maintenance, which can be difficult and costly without a dedicated IT team. Investing in a managed IT provider can help streamline these expenses while ensuring your technology supports long-term growth.

What You Can Do: Choosing a business-only ISP like 1Wire can simplify your IT infrastructure by providing scalable solutions, managed services, and dedicated customer support—all under one provider. Instead of juggling multiple vendors for internet, phone, and security, a single provider can help design and deploy an integrated IT strategy that grows with your business. This eliminates unnecessary middleman costs, reduces hardware expenses, and, most importantly, saves you time and money. With a business-grade ISP, you get proactive monitoring, expert support, and seamless scalability to ensure your technology keeps up with your business needs—without the headaches of managing it all yourself.

FAQs

Why is a VoIP phone system better for small businesses?

VoIP offers features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and mobile integration, ensuring you stay connected wherever you are.

How do I know if my business needs a cybersecurity upgrade?

If you don’t have multi-factor authentication, encrypted data storage, or a firewall in place, it’s time to upgrade your security.

Can I use my home internet for my business?

While it’s possible, home internet isn’t designed for business use. Business-grade internet offers better speeds, reliability, and security features.

What’s the best way to scale my IT as my business grows?

Opt for cloud-based services, scalable phone systems, and flexible internet plans that can expand as your needs change.

How much does managed IT support cost?

Costs vary depending on your needs, but a professional IT provider can save you money by preventing costly downtime and security breaches. Managed solutions, like those offered by business ISPs, can be an even more cost-effective approach to ensuring quality, security, and scalability. By consolidating services under a single provider, businesses can reduce the expenses associated with multiple vendors, avoid hidden fees, and streamline IT management while benefiting from enterprise-level security and infrastructure.