How To Choose Your Internet Provider
Just because you can get free access to the Internet does not mean you cannot be demanding. In reality, it might be the opposite in fact. You should be able to take your pick of the providers, so make sure you select the right one for you. Here are few things to consider when making your decision.
Cost: why pay for the service when there are so many possibilities to get access for free? However, free access is one thing, but those phone bills do tend to add up so do check if the potential provider is also offering free time online.
Speed: the Internet connection speed depends on the type of line your provider uses (cable, satellite, ADSL, etc) and the modem you use. The best way to judge this speed is to test it.
Allocated space: how much space can your site have on your provider’s hard disk? This varies, so make sure you make the best decision.
Geographic location: telephone charges are often dependant on the time of day or night you connect to the Internet. More people will try to go online during off-peak hours which tends to clutter it up. Study your time brackets carefully. If your site is hosted in the US, your server will be probably saturated when Europeans want to connect to it during off-peak hours.
Hotline: a hotline is telephone support provided by a service provider to help if you have a problem. It is also known as helpdesk or support center. Does your provider have a hotline? Is it available round the clock? What rates do they charge? Be careful, as the charges can be exorbitant at times.
Reputation: finally, a good reputation often goes hand in hand with quality. Talk to your friends, read the trade press and generally be an informed consumer. Even if you already have an Internet subscription, these few tips may prompt you to switch providers.
Some sites provide free space for the publication of Webpages, without necessarily offering access to the Internet. They are not access providers, only hosts. All you have to do is complete a form and the space will be provided for your pages.
Once you have enrolled, you will usually be sent an e-mail confirmation message. You usually have to return it (by clicking on a link) to confirm your enrolment. You should print this e-mail message, because it contains all the information you will need afterwards.
You now have the space you need to host your Website. A homepage will already be featured on it. It usually includes your identifier name and perhaps a banner stating ‘site under construction’. In return for hosting a site, you will be often asked to accept a small advertising marquee on your site. Choose your host carefully. The selection criteria for a provider apply to a hosting site too.
