 |
|
Guide to Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
How to find the right ISP for your small business
By LaRita M. Heet
|
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) – or Internet Access Provider (IAP) - is a company that provides Internet access to its customers – either businesses or individuals. For a monthly fee, an ISP provides all of the capabilities you need in order to connect to the Internet, browse the Web, use email and more. Generally, when you select a broadband or cable internet service provider, the ISP component comes with it. The technology and functions operate largely behind the scenes. The Internet access field is highly competitive and includes many players. How can you choose the right ISP for your small business? There are three basic factors to consider when choosing your business's ISP: - Which ISP offers the optimal connection speed and features for your business?
- Which ISP offers the local, national, and/or wireless access?
- Which ISP has proven reliability?
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
 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.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Think Reliability: ISPs offering T1/T3 or higher connections include a now-standard Service Level Agreement (SLA) that protects your business against Internet downtime.
- Plan for Growth: As your company grows, so will its email and Internet needs due to more employees and increased business, so plan accordingly
- Contractual Basics: Most ISPs have a standard contract length of 3 years, AND charge penalties if the contract is broken before it expires.
- All-in-One: Some ISPs now offer all-in-one packages, with several small biz features grouped together for one price.
The official source of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) is
the Internet and Online page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Business Broadband ProviderProvides mission-critical business broadband services, including T1 and DSL, with service package and local availability information available online.
www.speakeasy.net Time Warner Cable Business Class: SOHOInternet and E-mail solutions for small and home offices. Instant connectivity and fast downloads. Domain name, webmail, and dial access features.
www.twcbc.com Comcast Business Class OfferGet Comcast Business Class Internet. Rates Starting at $39/Month
www.comcast.com EarthLink Business Internet AccessFrom the Home Office to National Enterprise, EarthLink has IT. Plus, EarthLink products come with Free Equipment and Installation. Call us Today!
www.EarthLink.biz
Subscribe to
Try our free weekly WhatWorks newsletter, with business how-to advice
& resources from Work.com.
|
 Recommended Solution Providers | Back to top |
|
Voice, internet, and data services for businesses and home offices.
Provides internet access, security, and upgrade services for small business.
Offers a high-speed, highly flexible connections for small businesses. Can combine local, regional and long distance phone services.
Features solutions that are scalable, so as a business grows and needs change, internet access changes with a business.
Allows users to receive quotes from multiple companies.
Private network and services are designed to provide more reliability than mass-market providers.
Offering scalable DSL and T1 Internet access, Web hosting, email, firewall and VPN.
Informs users of availability, special offers, and installation services for multiple providers.
Provides high-speed internet access to businesses of all sizes.
Search for ISPs by state or city nationwide.
Search for internet service providers by a variety of criteria.
|
|
 Best Sites to Learn More | Back to top |
|
Converging worlds of IP telephony, VoIP, and broadband.
Answers common questions involving the internet such as how to file complaints for problems.
Focuses on getting on the internet, sharing broadband internet, or other connections among network devices.
Offers buyer's advice, discussions, provider search tools, stories, and access tools.
Comparison chart for internet providers.
Section contains several articles involving internet topics, including a basic understanding for connections and browsers.
Collection of articles discussing tips, pricing, and service features.
|
|
 Best Blogs and Forums | Back to top |
|
Mixture of novices and experts participate in this broadband forum.
A site devoted to broadband hardware and software.
Converging worlds of IP telephony, VoIP, and broadband.
Offers buyer's advice, discussions, provider search tools, stories, and access tools.
|
|
 Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please click here.
|
|
 |
|
Ads by Google
Broadband w/o the Phone Company No Start Up Costs
Find Internet Providers Compare Internet Providers Plans
Compare Internet Service Providers High Speed Dial Up and DSL
Read the Reviews, Compare Prices, Find the Best ISPs.
 |
|
Related Guides
|
|
 |
|
Ads by Google
Low Rate Internet Service Providers Find Internet Service Providers Now
Professional Tech Support & Tools Speeds Up to 6Mbps - Sign Up Now!
Top Rated Dial Up, No Contracts, Free Support, Money Back Guarantee!
Quality Internet Service Providers Get Unbeatable Online Prices
For Dsl Internet Service Providers Get Useful Info Instantly!
|
|
|
Related Topics
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Related Resources from Business.com
Comments
