For most of us, broadband is something we rely on daily. Whether we use it to work or unwind, it is the lifeline that drives modern living.

So, it can feel like a disaster when it doesn’t work. To help make sure this doesn’t happen, we’ve outlined the most common mistakes people make when they set up broadband and how you can avoid them.

1) Poor router positioning

One of the most common errors with home broadband is placing your router in the wrong place.

You should avoid placing your router on the floor as some of the signals being sent out from the router will be absorbed into the ground. Similarly, you should avoid putting it next to walls as they can also block the signals.

In this sense, think of a router in the same way you would a lightbulb: having a lamp tucked on the floor behind a sofa isn’t going to illuminate the room as the light won’t travel well. It’s the same with the signals being emitted from your router.

Try to place your router in a central location to ensure you are getting the best coverage throughout your home.

2) Don’t rely on WIFI alone

Returning to our lightbulb comparison, you wouldn’t try to illuminate your entire house using just one lamp. The same can go for your home broadband router.

One router might not be enough to effectively provide broadband throughout your home. If you have a larger property or live somewhere with thick walls, the signal from your router might not reach every room very well.

To avoid this, you should invest in broadband boosters. These are devices that extend the reach of your broadband signal and improve broadband speed in areas that have a weak signal.

3) Overlooking support team reviews

Another common error when setting up home broadband is not picking the right internet service provider to begin with.

Errors with any form of technology are inevitable, and when something goes wrong, you will need a customer care team who is willing to help and is not just trying to get you off the phone.

The simplest way of overcoming this issue is to read provider reviews, which can be found online. These will give you a good idea of how good certain companies’ customer services are.

4) Don’t skip small steps

Ensuring you have set up your home broadband properly reduces the risk of things going wrong with your internet connection.

Making sure you’re with a trusted provider increases the chances of you getting the help you need if things do happen to go wrong.

Another simple step you can take to ensure you’re using the best internet service provider for you is to use a postcode checker: online services that show you which providers offer the fastest broadband in your area.

If you follow these steps and ensure you’ve got the best provider for you and your broadband is set up properly, then not much can stop you from surfing with ease.