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Setting Up Your First Web Hosting Account
The Basics
Setting up a web hosting account for the first time can
be confusing and frustrating for the novice. This article
will guide you through the steps of setting up a new web
hosting account for your website.
Setting up your web hosting account will depend upon many
things, the first of which is:
Do you already have a website built and ready to be hosted?
If the answer to that question is yes, then your next set
of questions should be:
How was your website designed? Did you design it yourself
using Microsoft FrontPage, or did you use some other WYSIWYG
website building software? Did a professional designer build
your site for you? Did they use Microsoft FrontPage, or
did they use some other WYSIWYG website building software?
Did your designer use a database driven software, such as
Cold Fusion? Maybe they coded your site using a text editor
- you'll need the answers to these questions.
If you have a FrontPage website, you'll need a web host
who supports FrontPage. If your site was developed with
Cold Fusion, you'll need a web host who supports Cold Fusion.
This also applies to other design software not mentioned
here. Check with your web designer and/or web design program's
documentation for further help with this.
Maybe you haven't yet designed your website. Many web hosts
offer online website building software that requires no
programming or HTML knowledge. If this is your strategy,
make sure your web host offers such software, and find out
if there's a cost for you to use it.
Finding The Right Web Host
Locating a web host that gives you the reliability you
need, plus excellent customer service, and that offers all
the features you're going to need, can be challenging.
You can begin your search by asking business associates,
friends and relatives who have websites of their own, who
they use. Just as you would get a recommendation for a good
restaurant, word of mouth can sometimes steer you in the
right direction.
You can also check out the many web hosting directories
on the web. These directories are set up to allow you to
search using the features that you're looking for in a web
host. Keep in mind though, that many of the listings you
see may also be paid listings that are pushed your way for
obvious reasons.
Once you narrow down your search to a few potential web
hosts, your next step will be to visit the many web hosting
message boards and forums on the web. Perform a search on
each of the potential web hosts that you have in mind -
read through the posts and see what other people's experiences
have been with the hosts you have in mind. If you see too
many negative comments or experiences by others, you might
want to take a hint from that and rule out that particular
hosting company.
Once you've narrowed down your search to a few web hosts,
you should make contact with them and get answers to any
questions you have. Since you're a beginner at this, you
might strongly consider using a web host that provides telephone
support. A web host that provides only email support may
not be able to fully answer questions that you have - this
applies to sales questions as well as support questions.
When you make your inquires, keep track of which host responds
to you the quickest. Which of these hosts answers your questions
patiently and takes the time to go over details with you?
Do they seem more interested in getting you to sign up,
or do they address topics you have no concern about, beware
of those danger signs.
Signing Up For Your Web Hosting Account
Most web hosts have multiple plans that you can choose
from. The trick is to choose a web hosting plan that provides
you the features you actually need, without choosing a plan
that offers you features you don't need, or may never use.
This is probably the most difficult thing a novice will
be faced with when choosing a web host. You'll need to choose
a plan that strikes an even balance between what you need
right now and what you may need a month or two down the
road. Your website might remain the same size as it is today,
by next year; however, your site may grow quickly, requiring
additional resources in a relatively short period of time.
Consult with your web designer and with your potential
new web host about these issues. Ask you potential web host
if it's easy it is to upgrade your account if you need additional
services. Ask if there are any additional charges if you
upgrade your account.
The last thing you should do before signing up for a web
hosting account is to read your web host's AUP (Acceptable
Use Policy), and/or their TOS (Terms Of Service), and/or
their SLA (Service Level Agreement). Make certain that you
understand and agree with your new web host's policies,
and that your website does not break any of your new web
host's rules and regulations. By not reviewing your new
host's contracts with you, you may find your website and
email shut down without prior notice for breaking a rule
you were not aware of, or you might end up paying for fees
you didn't know you were liable for.
The majority of web hosts require you to sign up for a
hosting account by using your credit or debit card. Some
hosts offer online check payment, as well as paper check
payments. Many web hosts accept PayPal. You might want to
ask if your host offers discounts for advance payment. Some
hosts offer substantial discounts if you prepay a year in
advance. I don't recommend this until after you've had some
time to experience your new host's level of service and
support.
Most importantly, don't rush into signing up. Wait until
you get all of your questions answered to your satisfaction.
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