Web hosting basics
If you have decided that you or your business need a website, you will need to purchase web hosting services from a hosting company. There are many different web hosting companies to choose from, and they can be easily found all over the internet. If you quickly search for them on any search engine, you will find that there are almost too many to count. Choosing the right company for you can be a harrowing experience, but there are really only a few basic things to consider.
If you simply want a single web page with few or no graphics, you can get by by purchasing an account with the least amount of space available. However, if you plan to build a complete eCommerce site with multiple pages and order forms, you will need to make sure you have enough server space to support your entire operation.
Before signing your web hosting contract, you will first need to choose and purchase a domain name. Although many of the names you might want are already in use, you can often find one that suits your needs, especially if you are creative with it. For example, if your business is called Cards for You and that domain name is already in use, you might consider choosing More Cards for You or Cards for You Today. The possibilities are endless, and with a little thought, you can think of a nimble domain name.
Often times, you can buy a domain name through your web hosting company, or you can buy it through a private domain name retailer. These companies are very easy to find. Often times, if you type the domain name you want into a search engine, a domain name vendor will appear if the name is not already in use. You can buy a domain name for one year at a time, or for several years, depending on how much you want to invest up front.
There are many DIY web design programs that are fairly easy to use. Software like FrontPage makes web design a cut and paste process, fill in the blank. However, if you want a more professional look, you can use programs like Dreamweaver or Image Ready to create your sites. There are always freelance job-seeking web designers ready to take on your cause if you're not smart enough to do it yourself.
Web hosting companies give passwords to allow you to access their space on their servers. You can upload files and pages using your own interface programs, or you can use the upload tools built into your web design program. Once a page loads, it is important to ensure that it looks correct in a variety of different web browsers. Because each browser interprets information differently, you may have problems creating a site while only previewing it in Internet Explorer. Often times, there are compatibility issues between the Safari and Mozilla browsers that distort the tables and images on the site.
However, once you solve the problems and create a great site, all you have to do is pay your web hosting bills and your site will be available for the whole world to see. Web hosting companies often offer options regarding payment plans. You can pay for one year at a time, or you can pay monthly or quarterly to maintain your place on the World Wide Web.