It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the way companies do business is changing at a rapid pace. The paradigm is shifting toward the virtual environment. Thus, the vast majority of companies are embracing the power of information technology.
At the same time, the need to stay protected in the digital world is growing as well. No matter how hard we try, there will always be a member of the team who cannot recognize a phishing scheme.
Experts claim that VPN services are an excellent tool for data protection, but should you jump on the bandwagon as well? After all, the latest VPN statistics show that this particular market segment could reach $31 billion in 2021.
So, what are the pros of using a VPN, and should online businesses implement these services? Let’s find out.
What Is a VPN in the First Place?
Before we dive deeper into the world of VPNs, we must first define the concepts we plan to discuss in this article.
Well, the name is pretty self-explanatory. Virtual Private Networks are the main idea of this service. In other words, your chosen VPN client will create a virtual network that provides privacy and confidentiality.
Of course, the benefits do not stop there. VPNs have plenty more to offer, and that is why more than 26% of internet users rely on their services.
VPNs serve as an intermediary between you and the digital world. If you run an online business, the use of VPNs should become an everyday practice.
Later on, we will explain in full detail why you should sign up only with the best VPN services out there. Before that, let’s see how companies can start leveraging VPN technologies quickly and efficiently.
How to Start Using a VPN?
In essence, a VPN service will connect you to a third-party server and re-route your internet traffic. By doing so, your internet service provider (ISP) will not be able to trace your activities and track your online history.
Nowadays, there are more than 300 VPN services available on the market. On top of that, every one of these companies offers different benefits. In other words, the number of available options can be overwhelming at times.
But worry not, we’ve got you covered! We took the time to explore the features of a multitude of VPN providers. Thus, we can help you make an informed decision and choose the best VPN for your company’s needs.
That said, the process of using a VPN starts by selecting the preferred service and signing up. Once you have downloaded and installed the VPN, you are good to go!
Of course, the process of installation and customizations should be a piece of cake for most marketers and business owners. After all, the VPN statistics we linked to above reveal that more than two-thirds of users are younger than 34.
In other words, millennials are the ones who are trying to harness the power of modern technology, including VPN platforms.
So, how to pick the appropriate VPN for your business? What are the factors to consider? Well, here are the most prominent ones.
How to Pick the Right VPN Service for Your Business?
With 93% of security professionals concerned about cloud security, it is easy to see why you should be cautious about your online presence.
Moreover, the safety of your business data is of paramount importance, and you should do your best to protect it. Therefore, the need for a suitable VPN should never be taken lightly.
First of all, you should understand that not all VPN services are the same. In other words, some offer better services than others. On top of that, some come with malicious intent in the first place.
So, the first “rule” is to be careful and do your homework. What this means is that you should read plenty of reviews from credible sources. Above all, you should pay attention to the following elements:
Security
Of course, the aspect of security takes center stage when it comes to finding a suitable VPN for your online business.
Savvy business owners will always try to find a reliable and trustworthy VPN platform, one with a proven track record in the industry. Also, make sure to sign up with a VPN that offers 256-bit encryption and DNS leak protection.
In the world of online business, quick reactions are also an essential element. Moreover, acting accordingly to market shifts can make or break a company. Of course, quick access to the internet is a must in today’s world.
For that reason, you should try to find a VPN that will not affect the speed of your internet connection. What’s more, the best VPN services will boost your speed, helping you avoid potential bandwidth problems.
Ease of use
Usability is another aspect that is growing in importance as we are entering the new decade. Every app and every platform out there is trying to be as user-friendly as possible. If your product is not easy to use, you will not last long in today’s competitive market.
So, your VPN client should also offer intuitive commands. In other words, you should be able to activate the VPN protocol with just a couple of clicks.
Kill-switch feature
VPN services will not only conceal your identity, but they will also safeguard your data from prying eyes. However, the dominant use of VPNs is online anonymity.
For that reason, many VPN clients come equipped with the so-called kill switch. In essence, this feature allows the VPN service to disable your internet access in case of accidental exposure.
So, if the connection with the VPN server goes down at some point, the kill-switch feature will immediately protect your identity.
Flexibility
If you are a business owner, the chances are you are using a plethora of devices on a daily basis. The same goes for the members of your team, and that is why a flexible VPN platform is a necessity.
What this means is that the chosen VPN should include multi-device compatibility. No matter if you use a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, the security of your business should never be jeopardized.
Price
Last but not least, you should consider the cost of buying a new VPN service for your company. Of course, high-end VPN platforms could put a dent in your budget. At the same time, these particular services will provide you with the best protection on the market.
So, try to find that sweet spot between affordability and security. We do not recommend using a free VPN for business purposes. Sooner rather than later, you could end up paying the price for using a VPN that cannot handle the job.
Most Common Uses of VPN
Now that we know how to choose the best VPN provider, we should take a quick look at the range of uses of these services.
In short, VPNs allow users to establish a secure connection and to tap into network resources that might be hard to reach otherwise.
For instance, one of the most common uses of VPN providers is to access geo-restricted websites. More often than not, people will use a VPN to stream geo-blocked content, such as Netflix, Pandora, or Hulu.
In simple terms, VPN servers can bypass connection monitoring and allow you to stream your favorite movies and TV shows.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to VPN services.
The torrents are another prominent example of VPN usage. Even though torrenting is not illegal, some regions or websites may restrict access.
Well, that is where VPN providers step onto the scene. You can use remote servers to change your IP address and download the necessary files.
Likewise, VPNs can hide your actual location and shield your browsing on public WiFi networks. All in all, VPN clients can provide you with almost unlimited online freedom.
That said, here are the most notable benefits of using a VPN for online business.
The Benefits of VPN for Online Business in 2020 and Beyond
No matter if you are a marketer, a publisher, or an SEO expert, VPNs can be a valuable ally when it comes to business. Of course, the same applies to owners of ecommerce stores and similar companies.
So, here are some of the advantages that come as a result of signing up with a reliable VPN provider.
Secure remote access
The modern business world requires lots of mobility, and that is why entrepreneurs often find themselves on the road. In these cases, it is essential to be able to access your business network at any given time.
VPN providers can offer users a safe connection to their office network. Likewise, your colleagues will be able to participate and join online sessions without fear of being hacked.
As we know, the remote workforce is an integral part of online business. Thus, it is imperative to provide them with a secure gateway to the company’s resources.
Protection of sensitive data
Online stores must pay extra attention to the security of their client’s information. A data breach can have a detrimental effect on relationships with your consumers.
Customer loyalty is the priority for any online business, and if you lose this asset, your company could be in big trouble.
Fortunately, a VPN can provide end-to-end encryption for your sensitive data. In other words, documents and files will be protected at all times if you pick a high-quality VPN provider.
Safe data sharing
The next element on our list is related to the previous two elements. Nonetheless, it deserves an honorable mention because data sharing is growing with each passing day.
We are creating more and more data, but we are also sending information across the globe in the blink of an eye.
Well, VPNs can protect your email communication as well as your storage repositories. By encrypting the data, you will boost the defenses of your online business.
Minimal risk of data interception
Hackers, governments, or your competition could be eager to track your online activities. On top of that, these intruders may want to steal the data or hijack valuable information.
For that reason, the use of VPNs for business is a necessity, not a luxury. VPNs can even detect malware and adware, which could target your devices or local networks.
Of course, no VPN can guarantee 100% protection against hackers or viruses. Nonetheless, the use of these services will significantly minimize the risks of data loss for your online business.
Cost-effectiveness
In the end, we should also mention that VPN platforms can increase productivity and improve your performance. Why? How?
Well, faster access to relevant insights is incredibly important to marketers. Also, VPNs can help SEO experts learn more about consumer behavior in distant locations. You can just turn on your VPN and surf the Web like a native in a specific location across the planet.
Of course, link-building activities are an integral part of SEO tactics as well. Without a VPN, this method would never be cost-effective and useful.
Plus, VPNs can let you spy on your competition in a secure manner. You can do the research and monitor activities to stay ahead. Also, they will never have a clue that you visited their website whatsoever.
Final Thoughts
Running an online business can be an exciting adventure, but it can cause a few headaches here and there. For that reason, entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for effective tools that can help them streamline processes.
Well, VPNs are an invaluable tool for anyone who tries to run an online company. As you could see from our guide, the pros of using a VPN far outweigh the cons.
If you do sufficient research and sign up with a reliable VPN, your business could receive a vital boost in terms of safety and security. So, do not waste any more time. Invest in a high-quality VPN service as soon as possible.
