Getting Started with Web Hosting

How do I get started with web hosting?

Getting started with web hosting can be a daunting task. There are so many strange terms, so many different web hosting providers, and so many different web hosting plans. What exactly do you need, and what do all the features mean? And are those free web hosting offers legit? Here's a handy guide that will answer all of your questions about getting started with web hosting.

What type of web site do you want?

Before you choose a web hosting service, you'll want to decide what kind of website you are creating. Are you making a small personal website or a larger business website that will sell products? If you are simply creating a personal website for family and friends, you probably don't need as many features or as quality a support staff as you would for a small business website. If you are planning to seriously expand your business to the web, though, you'll need to ensure you have the disk space, bandwidth, and ecommerce features to create a working online store. Yahoo Web Hosting is the web hosting provider with the greatest range of ecommerce features.

What domain name do you want?

Before you can create a website, you'll need to choose a domain name. This is the address where your web page will be located. Choose a domain name that is original yet memorable, and uses your business name and/or own name to promote brand identity. Many web hosting providers offer domain name registration, but you may be able to get a better deal by registering your domain through a separate company. Also keep in mind that some web hosting providers will only provide or renew your domain name as long as you continue using their web hosting services, so if you want to switch to a different web host, you may "lose" your domain name.

GoDaddy provides both domain name registration and web hosting, so it may be a good place to get started researching both options.

What site features do you want?

For more information about different web site components, check out our article on What web hosting features do I need?. Every web site will need a certain amount of storage space, plus email addresses, programming languages, and possibly some community add-ons like chat, message boards, and blogs. If you are creating a website for your small business, you'll also need to consider e-commerce features like shopping carts for managing products and purchases, plus SSL and other security certificates that will ensure your customers' privacy and security when making online purchases. 1&1 Web Hosting provides a great variety of website features at affordable prices.

It's easy to get started with web hosting! Use our tips to begin browsing web hosting services, including top providers like Yahoo Web Hosting and 1&1 Web Hosting, or compare different web hosting services that might meet your needs. You can also read other web hosting tips and view our web hosting glossary.