Web Designs Beginner Website Concepts
- What is a domain name?
- How much does it cost to register a domain name?
- Where should I register my domain name?
- What is a web host?
- How much do web hosting services cost?
- How do I choose a web host provider?
- Compare web hosting services
Build Your Own Website
How Do I Choose a Web Hosting Provider for my Website?
There are literally thousands of web hosting providers to choose from. Who you select really depends on the specific needs of your website. If you are just getting started, one of the basic services from a reputable company such as Network Solutions or Yahoo will cost between $8 and $12 per month. That's very inexpensive compared to other costs of marketing. The cheapest (but still reliable) web hosting service we have found is GoDaddy. The simplest package starts at around $4 / month. We host several of our websites on GoDaddy and have been consistently pleased with the service.
Some things to look for in a web hosting provider:
- A reputable company
- Uptime / downtime
- Number of email accounts
- Disk storage space
- Data transfer / bandwidth limits
- Ability to upgrade service levels as website grows
- Easy-to-use administration control panel
- Software options
- Customer service levels / response time
- Security and virus / spam protection
- eCommerce availability (if you plan to sell online)
Some web hosting providers that offer acceptable service based on the above criteria are:
There are many more. But that should help narrow down the list. You really can't go wrong with any of these.