How Does a person pick an ISP? With thousands of of ISPs how can you tell the differences. These are some tips that will get you started.

1. Make sure you can reach the ISP from a local toll call or risk tons of long distance toll calls.
2. Make sure to calculate all the fees (activation fee + other hidden) for unlimited monthly usage. Look into discounts for paying in advance.
3. What connections do they offer to you; 56K, DSL, ISDN, Cable ?
4. In your area how many phone numbers do they offer ?
5. What kind of connections do they have to the Internet; T-3, or T-1. If they offer a modem or ISDN look elsewhere.
6. Make sure they have software for a SLIP/PPP connection. If not bail !
7. Since you are building a Business website you will need a Domain Name. Find out how much more money it will cost compared to their free web page. Findout how much tech support you will be able to get for things like CGI. Most tech support is only offered via e-mail. Findout how long it will take to answer. Minutes (Yeah right), same day or weeks later. Do they have 24 hr telephone tech help ? They better !
8. Ask what the user to modem ratio is. According to "Boardwatch" 10 to 1 is a good number.
9. Findout what their useage policy is; how many minutes of inactivity does it take before they kick you off the net. Read the fine print.