It really as simple as that, but is something that causes a great deal of confusion and unnecessary stress to many people wanting to set up a website.

Domain Registration

To use the Internet to communicate with others or to look up information, you have to type an address into your computer. These addresses are a name or a number and are more commonly known as domain names. Every domain name has to be completely unique so that the internet knows the correct website to bring up for the user.

If you wish to create your own website, you need to devise a name you wish your website to be known as. This name then needs to be registered with a domain registration company to ensure that it is unique and that you become the legal owner of that domain name.

You also need to pick a domain extension to attribute to your domain name. By this we mean .com, .co.uk, .org, .net etc. You should give careful consideration to the domain extension you choose to ensure that your full domain name best represents that of your business or project. For example if you are a UK business and are only selling to the UK, it would be most effective to choose a .co.uk domain extension – especially for achieving good UK search engine rankings
It is imperative that before registering a domain name with a domain registrar that you check that they are a credible domain registration company. One method of doing this is to check that the domain registrar’s website is featured on the ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Accredited Registrars list.

Web Hosting

Once you have registered your unique domain name with an accredited domain registrar, you need to get your website live on the internet. To do this, you need to buy a web hosting package from a web hosting company. The process of putting your website on the internet is completed by the web hosting company you sign up with and will involve placing your website on a web server which is then linked to the internet. The type of web server your site is hosted on will depend on the requirements of your website. The most common web hosting plans are Shared Web Hosting and Dedicated Server Web Hosting.

Shared Web Hosting

If you have a simple website which requires a regular amount of web space and bandwidth, then it is likely that your web hosting company recommend you choose a shared web hosting plan. With this hosting plan your website will be placed on one of the web hosting company’s shared web servers. Here your website will reside alongside a number of other similar sized websites where it will share all the server’s resources and features. Each web hosting company differs in the hosting features they offer with their shared web hosting plans. With Storm Internet (www.storminternet.co.uk), you will receive as standard:

• A specified amount of web space depending on your chosen package
• Easy to use web site control panel
• Online account management facility
• Full 24/7 ftp access to upload your web files
• Free domain transfer
• Unlimited domain aliases
• Webmail
• Send and receive emails using Microsoft Outlook or other email programs.

Dedicated Server Web Hosting

If your website has grown to a size which cannot be accommodated on a shared server or if you require the flexibility to add software or other features to your site, then your web hosting company may recommend that you purchase a dedicated server. With a dedicated server, you own the rights to the whole server; thus giving you complete control over what is installed and run on your server. Space and bandwidth usage will also no longer be a problem as there will only be your site (or sites) using the servers resources.

With a dedicated server you also have peace of mind that your site(s) won’t be at the mercy of other websites and their potentially corrupt code – which could cause downtime and other problems to your site.
When choosing a dedicated server you can opt to have your server managed or unmanaged by the web hosting company. With a managed server, you may receive services such as site administration, certain software installation, maintenance and upgrades. The major plus of having your dedicated server managed is that you have an expert on hand should your server suffer any failure – guaranteeing your site a high uptime percentage. Although significantly cheaper, unmanaged server hosting is only really recommended for those with a high degree of technical knowledge in server administration and management.

At Storm Internet, we provide domain registration and a range of web hosting plans. For more information please visit www.storminternet.co.uk.

How you get started with your new web hosting service will depend on the form of web hosting that you have chosen to use. If you are using a shared web hosting package then it is simply a case of uploading your files to your web space as well as configuring any email accounts or FTP accounts that you want to be able to use under your web hosting account. When using a more complex form of web hosting such as VPS server hosting or dedicated server hosting you should be prepared to take the next step of having to setup your server so that you can create the right web hosting environment for your requirements.

When choosing your web hosting service it is important for you to also look at the web hosting company that you are going to be using because you want to be sure that your chosen web hosting provider will offer you the support that you require in order to get started with the setup of your web hosting account. A large and established web hosting provider will have the support infrastructure in place to allow you to call on them if you need help with setting up your web hosting service. On the other hand you can also make use of the knowledgebase articles and tutorials that your web hosting company should be able to provide you with.

In order to get started with a web hosting service, it is important for you to have a website available to upload as otherwise there is not really any point in using a web hosting package. Most web hosting companies will provide you with the services that you require such as FTP in order to allow you to upload your website and any other files that you may see as appropriate to your web space. However, basic web hosting services such as shared web hosting packages can also be used for development and testing purposes since they will provide you with the environment that you require at a low cost.

If you have never used a web hosting service before then your experience with web hosting is going to differ to those who have used web hosting for a long time. To help make the process of getting started with web hosting easier, you will be provided with access to a web hosting control panel from which you will be able to manage more or less every aspect of your web hosting account with ease; however, with a VPS server or dedicated server you will find that the use of a control panel is going to be another added expense.

In conclusion, getting started with web hosting doesn’t have to be as hard as you think it may be. In order to make the most of a web hosting package you should have a website available for hosting under your web hosting package. The other features of a web hosting service can also be used as stand alone features such as email hosting and database hosting.

In order for a domain to be effective you need to hook it up to a web hosting package of some sort so that you are able to setup email accounts, FTP accounts and more importantly, so that you can host a website under your domain name so that people have something to view when they type your domain name into their web browser. Web hosting providers will generally offer you the choice between Linux web hosting services and Windows web hosting services – both will be able to offer you the same core features, albeit hosted on different platforms using different applications.

Although you’re going to have to pay for a domain name, securing a name that is important to you could be the difference between getting your business known online and forgetting about building a sustainable web presence. In some situations business men will simply build up a portfolio of well-defined domain names that they can then sell on as they wish to those who would like to purchase them as by doing so they can make a profit. If you are only using web hosting for the first time then you may wish to consider a web hosting package that will provide you with a domain name for free to begin with.

In order for a domain name to even stand a chance of functioning correctly, you will need to point it to DNS name servers that will be responsible for hosting the DNS records that will then point requests to your domain name towards the correct servers. DNS records are key for the delivery of email and to allow people to view your website as when someone types your address into their web browser, the DNS servers will respond to that query with the IP address of the server that is hosting your website. Email servers will make similar queries when attempting to deliver email to your domain name, as they will ask the DNS servers for the IP address of the servers that responsible for managing your domain name’s email.

DNS hosting is a standard feature of most web hosting packages and will allow you to ensure that everything is setup and configured correctly – however, if you are wanting to take things a bit further then you can always use your own DNS servers if you have a VPS server or dedicated server as this will provide you with a greater level of flexibility. Other features standard to most web hosting packages that will allow you to make the most of any domain name include email hosting and website hosting. It is important for you to also focus on the other less clear aspects of any domain name web hosting package that you may be considering, such as disk space and bandwidth; these are the two measures that you should always keep an eye on as they are usually the main effectors of the price of web hosting services.

In conclusion, domain name hosting will allow you to make the most of any domain names that you choose to register since it will provide you with a way in which you can setup a website and email accounts under your domain name. Domain names and web hosting services cost money but in the long run you will be able to reap the benefits of having established your web presence as those wishing to find you online will be able to do so with ease.

So, it is easy to see why more and more businesses are going online. But in order to make the most of what the internet can offer your business, you don’t just need a good website, it is also important to choose a good web hosting company.

Web hosting

Web hosting is a service that enables a website to be accessible on online. In order to make a website live, it has to be hosted on a server which is owned and managed by a web hosting company and connected to the internet. There are several types of hosting services available, so it is important to choose the hosting plan that suits you and your website’s
requirements. Below are some good tips to help you find the best hosting plan.

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is a hosting service where the server is shared by a number of different websites.

Shared hosting is the most affordable hosting service and is generally used by webmasters who have basic websites with basic hosting requirements. With shared hosting the server is managed by one hosting company who provides server maintenance and customer support. The level of support provided varies from company to company and can depend on the plan chosen. Therefore before signing up to a hosting plan, it is a good idea to ensure that the package you choose suits the exact requirements of your website, both today and if your enterprise grows.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting provides clients who have large or feature-heavy websites with their own server.

Dedicating Hosting is the best solution for large companies who need to secure their data and who need to run resource- heavy databases or software on their websites. Dedicated hosting is commonly chosen when a company does not want their websites to share resources with other websites where they could be negatively affected by problem code etc.

Windows Web Hosting

It is important to understand the different hosting platforms that are being offered by the hosting companies you are looking to host your website with. The most common platforms are Linux and Windows. Although Linux hosting is primarily the most common hosting environment, Windows is the platform which is used by developers who use Classic ASP or ASP.net code and have SQL server databases in their websites.

Linux web hosting

The Linux web hosting platform has a great deal to offer as a hosting environment. As well as excellent reliability, Linux is flexible, open source and can handle heavy traffic.

E-Commerce Hosting

E-Commerce hosting is a type of hosting that can run on either Linux or Windows hosting platforms. It provides all the marketing and/or advertising tools for a website, something which could be a great asset for those just starting up a business. For those websites which run financial transactions and hold and secure personal information, e-commerce hosting may also be the best solution.

What are the main types of web hosting service?

There are several forms of web hosting available from most web hosting providers although the web hosting services offered by some web hosting providers will vary depending on whether they specialize in a specific form of web hosting. The main forms of web hosting include:

• Shared web hosting – if you are on a budget then a shared web hosting package is likely to be your best bet if you are looking for a web hosting service capable of meeting your requirements since it will be able to do so whilst providing you with high resource assignments – Linux shared hosting packages generally use the cPanel control panel whilst Windows shared hosting services are more likely to use the Plesk control panel
• Reseller web hosting – a reseller web hosting package will offer you the ability to provide your own web hosting services to customers who either pay you or for free – although you still have to share the hosting server with many other users, most web hosting providers offer reseller hosting users much more flexibility since you are allowed to create your own web hosting plans out of the resources that you have assigned to your web hosting account
• VPS server hosting – a VPS server will be able to offer you the advantages of a dedicated server for a much lower cost within the context of a shared hosting environment – VPS server hosting services are generally used by businesses that require dedicated web hosting but are unable to justify the costs associated with dedicated servers
• Dedicated server hosting – if you are a business or individual with complex web hosting requirements then a dedicated server may be the right form of web hosting for you – Windows dedicated servers and Linux dedicated servers of various specifications are available from most web hosting providers – if you choose to go with a larger web hosting provider then you may even be able to build your dedicated server during the order process which will allow you to ensure that your dedicated server meets your requirements perfectly.

It is a good idea to make use of the many different web hosting reviews websites that are available since these will be able to guide you towards the right web hosting service for your requirements but will also advise you on which web hosting provider to choose.

What are the main factors for me to consider in any web hosting package?

There are several key factors that you should consider in any web hosting service so that you are able to choose the web hosting service that represents the best value for money. These key factors include:

• Reliability – the reliability of a web hosting service can affect whether or not your chosen web hosting service represents good value for money – if a website hosted on your web hosting account is constantly unavailable then your web hosting provider isn’t offering you good value for money since effectively you aren’t getting what you paid for
• Security – regardless of whether your website is going to be processing personal data entered by your visitors, it is important for you to be hosted in a secure web hosting environment so that you won’t have to worry about the safety of any data hosted in your web hosting account – it is normal for most web hosting providers to secure their server to PCI standards these days making it hard for hackers to gain access.

In conclusion, website hosting services are available from a number of different outlets and can provide you with a way of getting your website on to the internet. It is important to do your research prior to purchasing any web hosting service since there are many different forms of web hosting to choose from and you want to make sure that you choose the web hosting service that offers you the best value for money.

Why should I use a web hosting package?

If you have created a website then you will find a web hosting package to be the one thing which you need if you wish to get your website hosted publicly so that people are able to view it using their web browser. However, a web hosting package can also serve other purposes such as for the hosting of email accounts under your assigned domain name. A web hosting package is also responsible for the manage of your domain name’s DNS records which are there to ensure that your visitor’s computers are sent to the correct server when requesting a specific resource.

What are the advantages of using web hosting?

There are several main advantages of using web hosting, and these include but are not limited to:

• Web presence – a web presence is important for any business these days and by using web hosting you are able to ensure that you have established your web presence, although for maximum benefit it is recommended that you put a website up
• Email communication – a web hosting package can be used to setup any email accounts which you may require under the domain name that you have assigned to your web hosting package, although in some cases you may have more than one domain name assigned to your web hosting package
• Another selling opportunity – if you choose to setup a website under the domain name which you assign to your web hosting package then you can use this as another location in which you can sell your goods or services, and the thing to remember with a website is that the internet provides you with the opportunity to reach a large audience.

The advantages of using a web hosting package mean that if you are not using a web hosting package in any way, you may find it beneficial to your business to invest in a form of web hosting which suits your requirements. If you are unsure as to which form of web hosting you should be going for you should contact a reputable web hosting provider who will then be able to advise you as appropriate.

What are the main forms of web hosting that are available for purchase?

There are several main forms of web hosting offered by a large majority of web hosting providers. The main forms of web hosting include:

• Shared web hosting – this is the most basic form of web hosting available but at the same time is incredibly cost effective, and even the most basic of shared hosting packages can serve your PHP hosting and MySQL hosting requirements
• Reseller web hosting – a reseller web hosting account is the best form of web hosting for your requirements if you are going to be hosting many websites under a single account, but at the same time you will also be able to create separate client accounts for the individual domain names
• VPS server hosting – a VPS server is ideal for your requirements if you require a majority of the major benefits of using a dedicated server but are unable to justify the cost of a dedicated server for your web hosting requirements
• Dedicated server hosting – a dedicated server is only recommended if you have strict web hosting requirements since dedicated servers are generally of a high specification – the cost of a dedicated server is generally the main prohibitive factor for most users.

Since there are several main forms of web hosting available for purchase from most web hosting providers, you can be pretty much guaranteed that there is going to be a web hosting service available which will suit your requirements but is within your budget.

In conclusion, the term web hosting is a collecting term covering many areas of product and service offerings on the internet, but for the most part you will find that the term web hosting is generally applied to web hosting packages that are sold by web hosting providers. By choosing the right web hosting service for your requirements and exploiting it appropriately you may find web hosting to be very beneficial financially although it can also be used to aid communication within your business.