If you’re new to domain names and web hosting, we bet you’re pretty confused. First of all, there are so many companies out there, and each with so many options! And how can you tell what you need and what you don’t?
Don’t panic. Here’s a little guide about buying domain names and web hosting.
Domain Name
Why You Need it: Every website needs a domain name. When you purchase your domain name, you are buying the right to use that URL as your address on the web (www.example.com). As long as you keep your account current, nobody else can take that name away from you.
Who to Buy from: You should select a reputable company that has good phone-based customer service. Believe us when we say there will be times when you will need to contact them. Don’t accept mediocre customer service.
What to Spend: You should not spend more than $11 to $14 a year on a single domain name. Right now, i-Point Web Hosting is offering .com domain names for just $9.83/year. If someone is offering you a really cheap or free domain name, do not trust them.
What to Buy: Make sure you buy your preferred URL and related URLs quickly so nobody else takes them first. So if you are a non-profit, you may want to buy the .com in addition to the .org. Or if there is a common misspelling of your domain name, buy the misspelled URL and have it automatically forward over to the correct spelling. This will save you much embarrassment later on when a related domain name is owned by an “unsavory” website and your users keep telling you they went there by mistake!
Tip: If you buy your domain name for more than a year at a time, a good company will offer you bulk discounting. Also, search engines like Google will rank your site higher, knowing that you intend to be in business for the long haul. So consider buying for 2, 5, or even 10 years.
Web Hosting
Why You Need it: Unfortunately, having a domain name alone does not a website make. You will also need a hosting service. Getting a shared hosting account is like renting space on a server where your files can sit. Without that space rental, your domain name is still yours, but it cannot display your website.
Who to Buy from: Again, you should select a reputable company that has good phone-based customer service. Also, you should check their track record for uptime. You wouldn’t want your website to randomly “go down” all the time.
What to Spend: For 1 year of basic web hosting, you shouldn’t spend more than $50 to $70 a year. Right now, i-Point Web Hosting is offering basic hosting for just $37.08/year when you purchase for 1 year. It gets even less expensive at $28.80/year when you purchase for 3 years. If someone is offering you a very cheap or free hosting account, do not trust them.
What to Buy: When buying web hosting for your first website, it’s usually okay to go with the most basic shared hosting plan (called “Economy,” or “Basic,” etc). As you get comfortable and build your site, however, there may be other plans that may suit you better. Your web designer will be able to assist you in choosing the right plan for your site. Note that once you purchase the hosting account, it will likely require some additional setup. For instance, you may need to set up a login and password for uploading files to the new website. (This is called FTP access).
Tip: Some companies now offer hosting with special “1-click” application installs. This makes it super easy to create websites using content management systems such as WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla. One of our favorite products at i-Point Web Hosting is our pre-installed WordPress hosting account. We like to call it “zero-click.” Depending on the technology you wish to use for your site, selecting a host with this in mind may be a tremendous help. Consult your web designer if you are interested in using any of these applications.
Optional Stuff
In addition to purchasing a hosting account, you may also want to purchase an Email Plan that will provide you with several email addresses at your domain name (e.g., name@example.com). There are also other products, such as an SSL Certificate that ensures your customers’ information is secure on its way out of your site. Undecided what you need? You can always add these services later.
Make the Connection
In order for a browser to display your site’s files when a user types in your domain name, you will need to connect your domain name with your hosting account. Think of it as “plugging” your website into the “wall” or “powering it up.”
If you’ve purchased both products from the same company, this process is relatively easy. The company’s website should allow you to easily set your new domain to attach to your new hosting account during your hosting setup.
However, if you have your domain name registered with a different company, do not fear, it can also be done fairly easily. You will need to log in to your account where the domain name was purchased and set the domain to “point” to the hosting servers over at the other company. If this sounds confusing, this is where customer service comes in (Hey, we told you it would come up!). Don’t hesitate to call and ask for help.
Once your domain name is attached to your hosting account, you can begin to upload files and thus, “go live” with your website. Congrats on your new site!
Learn More about i-Point Web Hosting >
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