Missouri Internet service providers, or ISPs, provide customers access to the Internet for a fee. National ISPs can reach subscribers in much of the nation while local ISPs serve customers in a specific geographic region.

A small business will generally use a separate web hosting company to maintain its website instead of using the web space from Missouri Internet providers. Missouri businesses with busy websites will need a large national company that can provide mirroring and redundant connections for their websites.

The first consideration in deciding which Missouri ISP to use is the type of access you want:

1. Dial-up access is the slowest Internet connection and uses a telephone line. You must dial in to get Missouri Internet access, and you'll frequently have a limit on the amount of connection time you have.

2. Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, access is available through the phone and is a common type of high-speed Internet. Missouri DSL is faster than a dial-up connection and usually allows dedicated access.

3. Missouri broadband providers have the fastest connections small business owners in Missouri can generally afford. Missouri cable providers also offer high-speed cable Internet access.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate a Missouri ISP that offers cable access to small businesses

ISPs in Missouri that provide an always-on cable connection are frequently the best way for small businesses to access the Internet. MO ISPs offer packages tailored to the size of your business.

I recommend: Comcast is a Missouri high-speed Internet provider that has a cable access package specifically designed for small businesses. Charter Business offers several packages for businesses and features a cable connection with a downstream rate of up to 16 Mbps.

Find ISPs in Missouri that offer DSL service for your business

Many ISPs design DSL packages for business owners throughout much of the nation. Businesses can bundle multiple services together, such as Internet and web hosting, to get a better deal from the ISP.

I recommend: Sprint Nextel offers a range of DSL technologies aimed at small businesses, including ADSL, IDSL and SDSL. AT&T offers a package that combines DSL, VoIP, web hosting, networking and wireless Internet. You can determine if your specific location is in a service area by providing the telephone number of your business on its website.

Check out the access packages from local ISPs in Missouri

A rural business may have to depend on small, local Internet service providers. Missouri ISPs frequently offer wireless DSL service for these businesses.

I recommend: BPS Networks is based in Bernie and offers businesses broadband access up to 1.5 Mbps. Brown Dog Networks provides access around St. Louis. Internet connections through Brown Dog are via a wireless network.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check your ISP's terms of service for website size limitation if you plan to have a large website. You will also need to ensure that your ISP permits commercial websites if you wish to have a website for your small business. Most Missouri Internet service providers also offer multiple email addresses so that you can assign a separate one to each employee.