This document outlines some criteria that are useful in selecting
the right ISP (Internet Service Provider) for your specific needs.
Introduction
Finding the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) can seem like an
impossible task. How do you sort between all of the companies and the
huge variety of packages they offer? The first thing to remember is
that just as you wouldn't buy a car solely on the basis of a TV
advertisement, neither should magazine ads and banner advertisements be
your primary source of information when choosing an ISP. Instead, take
a look at the following:
- Personal or Project? - If you need an Internet
account that will be used by several people rather than just yourself,
it will affect your selection criteria.
- Local or Nationwide? - Local ISPs tend to provide more hands-on service, but sometimes can't offer as many services for the same amount of money.
- Flexible Connectivity - Does the ISP in question offer DSL? Webmail?
- Web Hosting Requirements - Don't already have a website? You will at some point, and you'll need to determine what you need in the way of Web hosting.
- Service Reputation
- ISPs are like restaurants - those with bad reputations survive, but
by listening to what other people say, you can avoid them.
- Price - Believe it or not, this is the least important criteria for selecting an ISP.
Personal or Project?
If you're deciding which ISP to use for your Senior Corps project
(as opposed to an account for personal use), remember that you may want
to obtain multiple email addresses.
One method some nonprofits and companies use is to assign email
addresses by official title, such as "director@project.org" or
"treasurer@project.org." This may seem impersonal, but it can be handy
when placing links on your website and when communicating with other
organizations.
Many ISPs will provide five, ten, or even 20 free email addresses
with even a basic account. If an ISP wants you to pay an additional fee
for less than ten email accounts, look elsewhere.
Local or Nationwide?
Many people use nationwide ISPs such as AOL, Earthlink, or MSN
simply because they're well known. Many local ISPs know their customers
well, and have a good handle on what they need. This is not to say that
there is anything inherently wrong with using a nationwide ISP, but
don't rule local ISPs out simply because they're smaller.
Flexible Connectivity
One caveat to the above comment is that nationwide ISPs generally
have local dial-up numbers all across the country. If you travel
frequently, this can be a handy feature, because it allows you to dial
in and check your email from anywhere.
The most common alternative to local dial-up numbers is webmail, and
smaller ISPs are increasingly offering webmail as a means of attracting
customers from the larger ISPs. With a webmail account, you can access
your email from anywhere using a Web interface (like Interent Explorer
or Netscape). It's slower and does not offer as many features as normal
email, but when you're traveling it is often enough to get the job done.
If you don't already have high-speed access through your phone
company (DSL) or your cable provider (cable), many ISPs will take care
of the messy details of setting up high-speed access for you. If it's
within your budget, get broadband. It will radically improve almost
everything you do on the Internet.
If you use a Macintosh or Linux computer, occasionally an ISP will
tell you that they can't offer you tech support. Run away from such
ISPs as fast as you can. A capable ISP (even the smallest local
provider) should be able to handle non-Windows subscribers.
Web Hosting Requirements
Even if you don't have a serious Web presence, your ISP should offer
Web hosting as a built-in component of even the most basic plan.
You'll want at least 10Mb of storage included in the plan, with inexpensive storage upgrades if you need to add more space.
A good ISP will assist you in obtaining a domain name or transfering
an old domain name from another ISP. This should be something they do
free of charge. Even though purchasing a domain name usually costs
money, some ISPs will also absorb the purchasing cost as an incentive
for new subscribers.
Without some sort of traffic monitoring system, a website is
crippled. Be sure the ISP has an easily-accessed method of showing you
traffic reports on a monthly basis. If they don't have examples on
their site, ask to see some.
Service Reputation
Nationwide ISPs are routinely rated by computer magazines such as PC
Magazine, MacWorld, and so on. Local ISPs are often featured in annual
"best of" contests run by local news/entertainment weeklies.
While sometimes local "best of" awards are popularity contests, it
only takes a few disgruntled customers to put a dent in the reputation
of a local ISP.
Magazine reviews are generally well-researched and thorough. While a
competitive review of nationwide ISPs might not point to a clear
winner, it can help you in narrowing down your choices.
Finally, be sure to talk with other people in your area. Find
friends and relatives who use the Internet in roughly the same manner
as you, and listen to what they say about their ISP. Don't
automatically assume that someone younger and more tech-savvy can offer
you the best recommendation, either. A 15-year old who plays online
games all day and knows his computer inside and out might not have the
same needs as you.
Price
ISPs are in an intensely competitive and price-sensitive market. For
that reason, price is seldom a high-impact factor in determining which
ISP is right for your needs.
If you find an ISP that offers the features and support you're
looking for, odds are their price will be within about or /month of the
competition. If the differential is greater than /month, you may want
to look elsewhere.
Watch out for hidden start-up and installation charges. Be sure when
you talk with the ISP that they tell you the total amount you'll pay
for the first month, and for each month thereafter. A company with
hidden charges isn't worth doing business with anyway. |
