Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Tip of the Week: Improve Your Network Through Router Placement

Tip of the Week: Improve Your Network Through Router Placement

September 15, 2025

A solid Wi-Fi connection is a necessity, not a luxury. To provide your team with the best possible wireless connection, you need to choose the right router and place it correctly. It's best for a business to buy its own modem and router, rather than renting a combined device from an internet provider. This gives you full control over your network and allows you to select hardware that fits your specific needs.

Choosing the Right Router

When you're shopping for a router, look for key features. Security is important, so make sure it has robust WPA3 encryption and a strong firewall. The router should support multiple bands—dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz) at a minimum, and ideally tri-band (with 6.0 GHz) to connect various devices. You'll want at least three LAN ports and one WAN port. 

A built-in VPN option adds an extra layer of protection, and to ensure you get the fastest speeds, choose a router that supports a modern protocol like 802.11ac or newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. Finally, make sure it has Gigabit ports for the fastest possible wired connections.

Contact us at (571) 470-5594 if you need any help!

Optimizing Router Placement

Once you have the right router, its placement is crucial for a strong signal. To get the most speed and coverage, install the router in a central location in your office so the signal can reach everyone.

It's also important to keep it raised off the floor to prevent physical obstructions from weakening the signal. Try to keep it away from other electronics that can cause interference. Before you install all your other office technology, map out the signal strength and consider using wireless extenders to cover any dead zones.

If you need help finding the best networking technology, feel free to contact us at (571) 470-5594.

Previous Post
February 17, 2026
Efficiency is (Too Often) the Enemy of Security
We all have that one person. The "rockstar." They answer emails at 11 p.m., they juggle four projects at once, and they never say "that’s not my job." They move fast, they break things, and they get results.
February 11, 2026
The 3-2-1-1 Rule Adds an Extra Layer of Security for Your Redundancies
Backups are a common subject in IT and in business alike. You can think of them like your spare key or the spare tire, where they are the emergency fix for when you do something silly or something unexpected comes along. But with business, the stakes are higher, and when your company’s data is at risk, a simple backup approach—unlike the spare key or spare tire—is not going to be enough.
February 9, 2026
First Column IT officially achieved CMMC Level 2 Certification!
We’re thrilled to announce that we have officially achieved CMMC Level 2 Certification!

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation for VA, DC and MD companies. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here