When a network grows, adding more access points is not always the best solution. I have found that placement, backhaul capacity, interference, and the number of connected clients can make a bigger difference than simply increasing the AP count.
For a small office or similar environment, I usually look at the existing coverage first and identify areas where users are actually experiencing weak signals or congestion. It is also important to check whether the switches and uplinks can handle the additional traffic, especially when newer Wi-Fi standards and faster client devices are involved.
Another thing I consider is the Ethernet connection to each access point. A high-performance AP can still be limited if it is connected through an older switch or a slower uplink.
For anyone planning a Wi-Fi upgrade, do you normally start with coverage measurements, client density, switch capacity, or the access points themselves?
I have also been comparing different networking and wireless hardware options through WAVOnline.