Tips and Info About Web Hosting

This is where things can get a little complicated...

I usually like to try and explain web hosting in terms of actual, physical elements. It helps make things a little more clear. Here's an easy-to-understand scenario that takes place in the physical world of brick and mortar stores:

In this example, let's say you want a website for your candle-making business called "Jenny's Candles".

Your first step is to purchase a domain name that makes sense for your business. (See the section on domain names for some more helpful info.) We'll assume you want to purchase www.jennyscandles.com and that it's available. You will go to the Domain Name Store (registrar) and tell them you'd like that domain name. The person behind the counter walks over to the stacks of shelves marked "not taken", finds www.jennyscandles.com, and pulls out a sticker with that name on it. The clerk then makes a copy of the sticker and gives it to you, then replaces the original sticker on a different shelf that is marked as "taken". Now, you have your sticker with your domain name on it. You pay for it and give them all your information so they can contact you when it's time to renew your name. You walk out and take your sticker with you.

Next, you walk down to the Web Hosting Store to purchase some space to put all of your website files and information. When you walk in, you tell the clerk that you have a domain name and you'd like to have some space for your website. The clerk will walk you through the various options available...he shows you several different sized cardboard boxes and explains what each box will hold. You decide on a small box because you don't think you'll have that much stuff to put in it. You also decide to get e-mail services to go along with your box. The clerk takes your sticker that says www.jennyscandles.com and sticks it across the front of the box. Then he takes a small envelope that says jenny@jennyscandles.com and sticks it to the side of your box. He gives you a name and password and explains how to put things in or take things out of your box and your e-mail envelope. The clerk takes your box and puts it up on the shelves behind the counter. You leave the store with your instructions and your account name and password.

When you get home, you put together all your files that need to go on your website. You divide them up into folders and include photos and information about all your products. When you have it all ready, you walk back down to the Web Hosting Store. You give the clerk your name and password and he retrieves your box for you from the shelves. You open up the box and place all your files inside, give the box back to the clerk, then go home. Your website is up and running!

Now, you'd like to send some e-mails and check to see if you have any new e-mail messages from your customers. You have two options, you can either walk down to the Web Hosting Store yourself and retrieve the messages from your e-mail envelope on the side of your box, or you can send a messenger to do it for you.

If you decide to to it yourself, you simply prepare your outgoing messages and take them to the Web Hosting Store. When the clerk gives you your box, just open up your envelope on the side, take out the messages that are in there and put in your outgoing messages. Then as you give the box back to the clerk, tell him you have outgoing messages to be sent. He takes the messages out of the envelope and hands them to another clerk who distributes them to the envelopes on the sides of several other boxes on the shelves. Then, you go home with your new messages and read them in the comfort of your recliner.

If you decide to have a messenger do all that work for you, then prepare your outgoing messages and call up your courier service...Outlook Express, for example. The courier will rush right over and take the messages from you. Before he leaves, you need to provide him with the name and password needed to access your envelope on your box at the Web Hosting Store. He runs down to the Web Hosting Store and asks the clerk for the envelope on your box. The courier takes out the messages that are in the envelope and puts in your outgoing messages, gives the envelope back to the clerk and alerts him that there are outgoing messages to be sent. The clerk takes the messages out of the envelope and hands them to another clerk who distributes them to the envelopes on the sides of several other boxes on the shelves. Your Outlook Express courier then rushes back to your house and hands you the new messages which you can read in the comfort of your recliner.

That example may seem overly simplified, but I have found that it really helps when trying to explain how all of these services work for you. Here are a few good hosting companies to check out. They all offer different options and have different pricing. Again, you should choose a web host based on your needs and always do plenty of research.

www.getmehosted.com (this is who I use)
www.fatcow.com
www.ipowerweb.com
www.mybes.com

If you need online store capabilities, some web hosts offer built-in shopping carts, so make sure you thoroughly check out their demos and features to see if their cart fits your needs. If you can't find a web host with a built-in shopping cart that's just right, you can always purchase a shopping cart system from an outside source and add it to your website (or have your web designer add it for you!)