Website Hosting
What is a Web Host?
A web host stores the web site you create on their servers and transmits it to the internet so that when someone types in your domain name, your web site appears. A server is just a fancy computer that “serves up” your web site to the internet.
How to Choose a Good Web Host
Again, I can’t stress how important it is that you choose a good web host. But, let’s face it – how do you know if a web host is good or not? They all look pretty much the same and they seem like they know what they are doing, right? Well, there is one thing you can check on before you sign up and luckily it’s one of the most important things.
When you choose a web host, make sure they have excellent support. If you have a problem with your web site you want help now, not in a day or two.
Personally, I refuse to choose a web host that I can’t get on the phone in an emergency. Some web hosts are sneaky and they put a phone number on their web site, but it’s just for show. They don’t always answer or they advertise 24/7 support but are actually only around Monday-Friday. When I first started out, my site went down on a Friday afternoon and I called ALL weekend and all I got was hold music. They put me on hold, but no one was there! Needless to say that was it for that web host.
So, how can you tell how responsive the web host you are considering actually is? You test them. If they have a phone number (and they should) call them late at night or on weekends to see if they are really there.
You can also send an e-mail to their support e-mail address (not their sales e-mail) and ask them a basic question like “How many e-mail addresses am I allowed?” or “Is there a limit on the number of autoresponders I’m allowed?” and see how long it takes them to get back to you. For a non-emergency email like that I think up to 12 hours is acceptable. If you send the e-mail on Saturday and they don’t get back to you until Monday, that isn’t good. If they take more than 12 hours and either don’t have phone support or aren’t answering, choose another web host.
Web Host Do’s and Don’ts
Once you choose a web host, then you will have to decide what plan you want. Most web hosts offer you several different plans and obviously want you to buy the more expensive one.
1. Do get the least expensive plan. Most people buy the larger plans because they aren’t sure how much space they need and the space in the smaller plans just doesn’t sound like much. 10 mb is plenty for most first web sites. If you want to be sure, then choose a plan around 50 mb. 50 mb is a HUGE amount of space. If you get that you will be fine.
2. Don’t get caught up in what the various hosts offer like PHP, MySQL and a bunch of other stuff like that. If you don’t know what those things are you don’t need them.
Configuring DNS
When you first purchase a domain name, it will be registered on the DNS of the registrar. Until you arrange for a web host, the registrar company will usually redirect requests for your domain name to an error page or an ‘Under Construction’ page. Note that there is no time limit between buying a domain name and finding a host. Some people purchase domain names without ever intending to build a website on them. Most people, though, buy a domain name with the intention of using it. To do that, you need to open an account with a web host and prepare to transfer your site to their server. Part of the process of preparing your site for publication on the World Wide Web is to alert your domain name registrar of the DNS of your new server.
A DNS configuration looks something like this:
Primary Name Server: NSA.NEWDAYDNS.COM (204.50.14.2)
Secondary Name Server: NSB.NEWDAYDNS.COM (204.50.22.2)
This information is available from your hosting company either in their informational package that they email to you, or on their website. If you can’t find the DNS it’s best to contact your web host and ask for it. Once you have the DNS information you can usually enter it into your account on the website of your registrar. If you have purchased your domain name from the hosting company, they will usually make the necessary changes for you when they set up your account.
When the DNS is registered or modified (when changing web hosts) it can take up to 24 hours for your site to be accessible from everywhere in the world. This is because domain names are registered in a distributed data base that is maintained on thousands of computers around the world. Each computer has a small part of the database in cache, and if they receive a request for an unknown domain that request has to be forwarded to another computer until the information is found.
Web Hosts I Like
As I mentioned earlier it doesn’t matter to me which company you go with. The purpose of this site is to give you the tools you need to make the best decision for you. Since so many people have asked me, the web hosts I recommend are:
Act Now Domains – they have incredible support and if you need a web site builder I think their web site builder is really sharp and easy to use. They have a variety of hosting plans and web builder plans available starting at $8.95/month. The price for the web builder includes hosting and email. They have separate hosting accounts for people that don’t require a web builder. If you want to sell products on your site get their online store builder called Quick Shopping Cart.
Special Note: If you decide to go with Act Now Domains click here for a tutorial. Several people asked me questions about how to set up a website that I did up a little tutorial that shows you how to build a website using their web builder. Just print it off (or keep it open on your computer as you go through the steps) and it will take you through everything.
PowerWeb – this is a great web host and it currently has a half price sale going on. I’m not sure how long the sale will last but for just $5.95/month it’s a really good deal. It gives you everything plus the kitchen sink at a really cheap price and it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. If you need a web site builder it has one. It also provides unlimited e-mails, more space than you will ever use and if you plan on using your site for ecommerce they have a free shopping cart. Normal price is $9.95/month if you pay by the month or $7.95/month if you pay a year in advance. Sale price: $5.95/month if you pay yearly. Their sale price makes it a great deal.
Pro Website Group – this is also a favorite web host of mine. Each hosting account comes with a really easy web site builder. You get lots of free goodies with each account including a free domain name. The cost for an account is only $6.95/month and they give you a 30 day money back guarantee. I really like the fact that their support is so good. They offer toll-free support and they guarantee that all email support questions are answered in one hour or less. I’ve put them to the test a couple of times at odd hours day and night and they’ve come through each time within the hour limit. The only real negative of this web host is that it doesn’t allow for month to month billing. Sign up for a year is required but they are a good group and give you a 30 day money back guarantee. They have offices in both the US and the UK.
