Two things you will need to get your website started:
Web
Host: This is the space that you
purchase to store all the files that
create your website and any emails you
receive.
You can
purchase this at many places but I have
found 1&1 hosting to be the most affordable hosting companies out there. Starting at $4 a month (billed bi-annually) you get a whole lot of space 10GB (that's 10,000mb). Most websites use less than 5mb of space. They also include a free domain name (www.yourname.com). So skip the step 2 below!
OR if you would prefer to spend a bit more but have an eco-friendly company host your website (powered by wind and solar energy), then check out ThinkHost. They are about $18 a month for 100GB (that's 100,000mb). Most websites use less than 5mb of space. However, if you sign up for a 2 year plan, they can go to as little as $8 a month.
Domain
Name: This is the web
address (www.yourname.com) you will
be able to type in to find your website.If your domain name isn't included in your web hosting plan (it is included with 1&1 hosting) you can purchase
this seperately at many places. I have found NameCheap to be one of the most affordable places
out there (about $9 a year), but they
still offer a lot of options and do not
charge you later on for making changes
to your account. If you decide to go with this company, instructions are below.
On the top navigation bar, click on "Web Hosting".
On the next page
halfway down the page in red click on "Choose a Package."
On this page you can see the left column says "Linux 1&1 Beginner". Cick on "Sign Up".
On the next page it asks you to "Choose a Domain". Please just click "Continue". Even if you need to purchase or transfer a domain name, just click "Choose a Domain Later". It is much easier and faster if I set the domain name up for you later.
You do not need to sign up for the Symantec Special Internet Security Offer on the next page. Just click "Continue".
Follow the billing
instructions provided. Be sure to give them the credit card you are ok with bi-annually auto-payments being made to.
Please save all emails sent to you from
1&1 for your records.
I will also the password you created as well as the customer number they email you. Please forward the confirmation emails to me so I
can access this account and make the changes
necessary to get your website up, purchase or transfer any domain names, and set up email accounts.
On the top navigation bar, click on "Hosting Plans ".
Click on the "Join Now" button.
Fill out all your contact and billing information.
Please save all emails sent to you from
ThinkHost for your records. Also, please forward these emails to me so I
can access this account and make the changes
necessary to get your website up.
In the yellow
box on the right search for a domain name
that you want (Example: www.yourname.com).
It will list whether
or not the name you typed in is available.
Once you find
a name that is available, check the box
next to the name you would like and below
that column click on "Add to cart."
Select the amount
of years you would like to purchase this
domain for at this time and click on "Checkout."
Follow the billing
instructions provided.
Please save all emails sent to you from
NameCheap for your records. Also, please forward these emails to me so I
can access this account and make the changes
necessary to get your website up.
