If you feel your internet connection is not working to its optimum level and would like to find out if it is sluggish due to something you are doing, a check of your broadband speed is recommended. These free tools that can be found with a simple search on Google or any other search engine can quickly show you how fast your connection is in comparison with the speed you believe you should be receiving.

Various things can affect the speed of your broadband, such as the number of applications you have open that utilise your web connection, the amount of data present on the websites you frequent and the time of day that you do most of your browsing or other online activity. To get an accurate reading of your connection speed, run a speed test as various times throughout a single day. If the speed is noticeably slower between 5pm and 7pm, this is due to the amount of other people that are also online in your local area. Early evening is considered a 'peak' time for internet use by most broadband providers and therefore a slightly slower speed should be expected. If you run the speed test late at night or during standard working hours and find that the speed is still significantly lower than you believe it should be, you may want to consider switching to a package or provider that entitles you to a faster broadband speed.

To find a more suitable deal or provider, you should visit an independent price comparison site. By simply entering your postcode it is possible to find out what broadband packages are available in your local area and how fast the maximum speed each one will entitle you to. Obviously the faster the connection, the higher the monthly cost will be to receive the service. Extra features on these comparison sites include reviews provided by customers already using each service, simple guides to help explain technical terms and confusing industry jargon and FAQ sections that aim to demystify everything about broadband and what it entails. By taking some time to read reviews, find the answers to any questions you might have and look through all the available offers in your area, you should be able to find a great deal that boasts a faster connection speed and a reasonable cost each month.

Speak to friends and find out who their broadband provider is. If they are happy with the speed they receive, perform a speed test on their computer, jot down the results and the name of the provider and package they are on, then investigate if it would be a viable option for you. With time and patience, you should be able to improve your connection speed with little fuss.