How fast do you want it to be?

Your connection speed depends on how many employees you have, how many email addresses the ISP allows, and how often you use the Internet. The more you want, the better connection you need. DSL is okay for home-businesses, while growing companies may opt for the faster and more expensive ISP connection offered via leased T1 (Trunk Level 1) or T3 (Trunk Level 3) lines.

I recommend: See Surfers Can Be Choosers Quiz for ISP recommendations. At BuyerZone's Internet Access Quotes, take a quiz to be matched up with up with up to five applicable ISPs.

Select your top features

The more you do online, the more your ISP must offer. If you download/upload large files, will your ISP support it? Or, if you want to host your own Web site, your ISP must e-commerce services.

I recommend: Check out Verizon's Business DSL for their featured services. Covad serves small and medium businesses, while EarthLink offers national and wireless services.

Consider security and service

Find out what the ISP provides to keep the virtual wolf – we're talking spammers and viruses - from your e-door. Service: can you reach a live ISP rep, via a toll-free phone number, 24/7?If not, keep looking.

I recommend: What's available in your neck of the woods? Click on DSL Reports Local Search, Broadband Power Search, or Everything DSL (to search by state).

Check provider reviews

Want the real 411 on a company, from its own customers? Don't sign up with an ISP until you've gotten the full scoop.

I recommend: Check out DSL Reports– they're grouped according to customer ratings, as "Smooth Ride," "Mixed," and "Unhappy Campers."

ISPs-to-go

Do you travel for business? If so, find an ISP with service coverage in the applicable cities, wireless ISP (WISP), and/or integrated voice mail/email to check messages by phone/Internet.

I recommend: Time Warner Cable offers Small Office/Home Office (SOHO); Small to Middle Sized Businesses; or Enterprise Solutions. Check out BellSouth FastAccess Business DSL for great tech support, including their same-day repair guarantee! Try Boingo or Earthlink Mobile Devices for wireless options.