National Internet Services Providers for Small Firms

Introduction

In setting up a web site, a small firm (1-10 attorneys or so) has three realistic choices for where and how to host the site.

First, the firm can use a web hosting service.  I've listed a number of these services in other essays.  Especially in firms where the arrangement is more like an office sharing arrangement, using a hosting service keeps internet bills, time, and access separate and apart from the issues of internet access, control and ownership.  Expect to pay $19.99 to $24.99 a month for a hosting service.  [Hosting Services]

In addition to separating the issues, Web Hosting Services tend to have much faster access and response times than Internet Services Providers (ISPs).

Second, the firm can use a local ISP.  Especially if the ISP is a client, this may well be a good strategic choice for a firm.  Local ISPs often have local directories where every member can see every other member, which means that local people using the service constantly are reminded of your local law firm.  There are many very good reasons to use a local ISP to host your web site.

Third, the firm may use the incidental space provided as part of an ISP account by a national services provider.  The advantage to this approach is that the space is free and National ISPs tend to be more reliable than smaller local ISPs and hosting services.  The disadvantage is that you do not get free publicity with other users of a local ISP and may have problems with search engines (though the focus of most sites should be on other sources of publicity).  See search1.htm for warnings.

This is a short article about the pros and cons of each of the National Internet Services Providers.

National Internet Services Providers

1. American Online
   • http://www.aol.com
   • 1-800-827-6364
   • 47% of all attorneys on the Internet are on AOL (see the extremely large "n sample" survey conducted by the Texas State Bar Association).
   • The advantages include substantial, moderated, legal interest boards and resources.
   • The disadvantages include current overuse of the system (though AOL has committed 350 million dollars towards upgrades to meet the demand) and the disorganization of the moderated content.  
   • 10 megabytes of space provided for web pages (spread out under 5 directories) per account.
2. AT&T Worldnet
   • No web page support.
3. CompuServe
   • http://www.compuserve.com
   • 1-800-848-8199
   • 34% of the attorneys on the Internet are on Compuserve.
   • Substantial legal interest boards and resources.
   • Expensive and sluggish.
   • 5 megabytes of web page space.
4. Concentric
   • http://www.concentric.net
   • 1-800-839-4262
   • Average ISP.
   • 5 megabytes of web page space.
5. EarthLink Network
   • http://www.earthlink.net
   • 1-800-395-8425
   • Average ISP.
   • 2 megabytes of web page space.  This is enough for a law office's web page.
6. GTE Internet Solutions
   • http://www.gte.net
   • 1-800-363-8483
   • Another average ISP.
   • Fast.  Better access control (which means it is also harder to log on).
   • 5 megabytes of web page space.
7. IBM Internet Connection
   • http://www.ibm.net
   • 1-800-455-5056
   • Flat rate $19.95/month pricing.
   • Call for web space size.
   • (IBM intends to offer web page space "shortly").
8. Internet America
   • The Texas Based Regional ISP.
9. MCI Internet
   • No web page space.
10. Microsoft Network
    • No web page space.
    • Amazingly, still the worst service in many ways.  It is bound to improve.
11. MindSpring
    • http://www.mindspring.com
    • 1-800-719-4332
    • One of the best.
    • 5 megabytes of web page space.
12. Netcom
    • http://www.netcom.com
    • 1-800-353-6600
    • Friendly, but behind the curve.
    • 1 megabyte for web page space.
13. Prodigy Internet
    • http://www.prodigy.com
    • 1-800-776-3449
    • 10% of all attorneys use Prodigy (Prodigy Classic or Prodigy Internet).
    • Competitive.
    • Policy on web space changing.  Not recommended until they sort that issue out.
14. Regional "Baby Bells"
    • e.g. SWBell (http://www.swbell.net)
    • All of these are venturing in with flat rate pricing.
    • All intend to have web space "soon."
    • SWBell has a fast and responsive webmaster.  Take a look at your local Bell and see if you like what you see.
15. SpryNet
    • http://www.sprynet.com
    • 1-800-777-9638
    • Compuserve's Internet Service.
    • Solid, above average ISP.
    • 5 megabytes web page space.
16. Pairs
    • http://www.pairs.com -- This site has suffered from some amusing link rot or some other problem (sometimes when I attempted to reach the site I reached something else) but it seems to be ok now.
    • $6.95 a month for 5 megabytes
    • $125.00 to open with your own domain name (the $100.00 Internic charge and $25.00 set up).
    • The least expensive "your own domain name" service currently available.

While there is currently no "best" service, there are several that come close to being the worst.

Copyright 1998 Stephen R. Marsh adrr.com [home] Mediation Essays Mediation Topics Mediation Centers Advanced Topics Bulletin Board ADR Links More ADR Links Newsletters E-Mail to Author Author's Home Page Search the Site

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