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Report: Choosing an Internet Service Provider!

The requirements for choosing an Internet Service Provider to host your business web site are often the opposite of those for choosing an ISP for browsing and e-mail. Here is a short checklist you can use to find an ISP to host your business web site:

• Hourly charges for access are better than unlimited. -- Local and National ISP that offer unlimited access tend to attract web surfers that remain on line for longer periods of time. This tends to clog up their modem banks (remember the recent problems at AOL) and hogs their bandwidth.
• They should have a minimum of a t3 connection. -- surfers need fast access to your site.
• They allow CGI development and implementation. -- Most of the National ISP's limit your access to your web site. It's your web site and you will need full access to develop it properly.
• They support domain hosting. -- www.yourname.com, not www.isp.net/yourname
• Support for co-location of a dedicated server. -- as your business grows, you may need you own server. You will save money if you can keep your server at your ISP's locations.
• Support available for Merchant Server. -- The use of credit cards on line requires special software.
• UNIX systems are better than Microsoft. -- Always avoid proprietary anything!
• Connected to both MAE East and MAE West. -- These are the two major Internet hubs. Some ISP's do not connect directly to either.

Your access to the Internet for surfing and e-mail is somewhat restricted by geography. You do not want to incur long distance charges to access the net. Geography is not a factor in finding an ISP to host your business web site. Choose the best provider for each, not one provider for both!