Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

4. Making the Choice

4.1 Decide what services you require.

• Some ISPs offer their own content, which is only available to subscribers.
• Most businesses can find the information they need on the Internet rather than using an ISP's content.

4.2 Decide what remote access you need.

• Many ISPs have an international presence, allowing you to access their services from other countries without having to make an international call to connect.

4.3 Ask around. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be useful.

• Check with contacts who have similar requirements from their ISP.
• Check other sources of help and advice (see 6).

4.4 Compare costs, including:

• One-off set-up fees.
• Monthly or annual charges.
• Usage fees based on the volume of email traffic and the traffic from your website.
• Any charges for web space.
• Charges for web design or technical support. Costs can vary widely and will depend on the range and quality of service you need.
• Fixed-price deals can be very cost-effective for business use.

4.5 Find out about prospective ISPs' service standards.

• Many ISPs publish information about their current performance - including the speed of core areas of their networks - on their websites. If not, check ISP performance at .

4.6 Never choose on price alone.

• hours spent with no Internet connection and the loss to your business is not worth the few pounds you might save. Decide what factors are critical to your business (UK phone support, fast performance etc) and then find an ISP hat can supply these for a price within your budget.