What is an ISP? And more importantly, how can you choose the right one for you? ISP stands for "Internet Service Provider" and refers to the company that provides you with your Internet connection. But while the main objective might be the same, each ISP is different, offering their own selection of services and features.

How can you find the right one for you? Here’s a few things to look for:

Today, most ISP’s offer 24-hour assistance but that isn’t always the case. Some smaller ISP’s simply don’t have the support staff to offer round-the-clock service, which means that if you run into a problem, you may have to wait until the next business day to get it solved.

Just how good is your Internet service? That’s one question you’ll want to answer before you subscribe. Most ISP’s boast 99% uptime but you’ll want to ask the question to be sure. In the event that your service does go down or should you have a glitch in your software, do they have the qualified technical staff to get it fixed?

Different providers offer different services, each with their own price tag. DSL is generally cheaper than cable for example, and both are typically more expensive than dial-up. Also take a look at the plan itself. Can you surf as much as you like or are you limited to a certain number of hours each month? Are there any set-up or installation fees? How much will the equipment cost you? What if you choose to cancel or upgrade your service? If there’s a contract involved, you might have to pay a penalty for early cancellation. If you’re considering dial-up, ask about access numbers. Do they have more than one local number for you to use? If not, you could be forced to pay long distance charges in the event that your primary dial-up number isn’t working.

What is included with your service? Most providers now offer email accounts as part of their provider package, but this can range from 1 to 20 depending upon the company in question. If you’d like to have separate email accounts for each of your family members, you’ll want to ask this question in advance. Can you access your email from the Internet (web-based)? If not, you won’t be able to check your emails when you’re away from home. Does the account come with free web space for a home page? What about spam and/or virus software? Parental controls? Do some shopping to see who gives you the most bang for your Internet bucks.

By comparing pricing along with features, service and other offerings, you can make sure that the ISP you choose is the right one for you.