To successfully work on web properties while traveling, you should consider the following tips on how to best work online while using a Hotel Internet Connection.
1. Take your own router with you
At home or in your office you will connect to the Internet through a modem that also acts as a router, however, in hotels more than one router is required to keep the signal’s quality steady everywhere and a modem may be necessary. If you need to work on your web properties while you’re on the go, a business-class router is a safe option also providing you with good speed. If you travel with staff, then you can expand your network and connect with more devices to ensure that the whole team can work online safely and effectively. This will ensure that you can manage your digital properties constantly by quickly accessing the web hosting control panel, like SeekaPanel, where all your websites and their performance can be monitored. And even registering a domain on the go should not take longer than one minute.
2. Carry a compact wireless usb antenna with you
If carrying a big router or modem with you is not an option, then you can use a compact USB wireless antenna, which improves the range and the speed of your internet connection while you’re in a hotel. a café or a co-working space for example. The USB antenna is a cost-effective solution that is easily portable due to its small size. Just bear in mind that they require more power than your internal antenna and ensure you are near a plug point to charge your device.
3. Identify the best work location in the hotel
While you are working on your websites on the go, you should enjoy uninterrupted internet speed and connection at all times. Otherwise, your websites may crash and changes you have made may not be saved, which is extremely frustrating and causes many delays. When you set up your workspace in your hotel, ensure that you are as close as possible to the hotel router, if you didn’t bring your own. Usually, the hotel lobby is a good spot for fast and uninterrupted internet connection as the main routers are mostly situated here. With tools like NetSpot (Mac), you can detect where the most robust internet connections are so that you set up your work desk there. If the Wi-Fi in the hotel you’re staying at is poor, you can search for nearby hotels with free Wi-Fi to connect to.
4. Adjust your router position
If you find that the internet connection in your hotel room is not ideal, you should identify the location of the router in the room. It may be situated underneath your desk or in a corner of the room where the signal is interrupted. You should try to relocate your router to a more central location in the room where possible and the hotel staff should help you with this if you ask. A longer Ethernet cable may do the trick to move the router into a better position so that you can experience full Internet connection without any interruption. Most hotels will understand the importance of this for their customers. If you earn your living with your web properties, then being connected is vital to access your domains and websites at any time.
5. Connect with other wireless networks
Most hotels use several Internet connections of which some are password protected for staff for example. Some hotels may be near airports, train stations, and bus terminals, where companies provide Wi-Fi too for their employees or customer without encrypted access. You can detect hidden wireless networks with Netslumber (Windows) and Kismac (Mac) so that you can connect with a safe and possibly free internet connection near you. This is another convenient way to solve a slow and interrupted Internet connectivity problem if all other suggestions fail.
Final thoughts
For anyone who earns a living on the web it is crucial to always have access to a solid and secure Internet connection when out and about. When travelling, you rely on other Internet sources at times, unless you use your own tethering for example, which can be costly outside of your home country. Often, the problem in hotels, B&Bs or Airbnb’s is the architecture as concrete and brick walls and other physical objects can absorb the internet signal, leading to slow or interrupted Internet speed. Signal problems can also be caused by interference of other devices. It is therefore probably safest to carry with you a router or USB antenna, especially if security is a big concern.
