Web Server

For a website to be made available on the Internet, it has to be hosted on a web server. This is where web hosting comes in. It's just like renting property. There are plenty of companies that will rent you space on a web server. The wide range of services start from free hosting to buying a server for your sole use. You could spend thousands of dollars a year on web hosting alone.

Web space

You need this so that other people can view your web page. Choosing a web host is very important. Choosing the right host first will save you a lot of problems in the long run, because it takes a while to transfer websites from one host to another if you're not happy with your first host. Choosing a host is not an easy task. There are so many features, services and options to consider. The most important factor is making sure that the host you choose will provide everything that you need.

Domain name

Every website needs a domain name. If you are a business, you ideally need your own domain name. If you are working on a personal homepage, a domain name isn't as important. Some people judge the quality of a website by it's domain name.

How do I get my own domain name? A domain name is the same thing as a URL, it represents an address on the WWW and makes the address easier to remember. The only difference is that you can choose your own name for your URL, as long as it has not been used by someone else. Domain names end in .edu (for sites from universities), .com (for commercial sites), .org (usually used by non-profit organizations), .info or .net. Many more extensions are being added all the time. You can get your own domain name by typing "Web Hosting" into a search engine and you will find numerous sites advertising web hosting.You can choose to buy a domain name and hosting space separately if you wish.

Web hosting plans

Web hosting plans range from free personal homepage hosting to large global corporate websites. Read on for information on the different packages.

Free Non-Virtual Hosting

If you need somewhere to host a personal website then choosing a web host is a much-simplified task. There are plenty of free hosts that will host your website at no cost to you, giving you space in a directory under their domain, e.g. 'www.thehost.com/yourname/'. The catch is that you may have to carry some banners or mention the free hosts name somewhere on your site.

Free Virtual Hosting

If you are connected to the internet you will have an ISP Provider eg: bigpond. Is it common these days to be given free personal space which you can use for your web site. Be aware though, when you get free space from a free host, you will have advertising on your site. When you purchase your own domain name and your own Web space, you will not have ads on your site. You don't have ads because the Web host is supported by the money you pay them for the space.
If you are on a tight budget but want to have a web presence then free virtual web hosting is what you are looking for. You will be able to host your website with your own domain name such as 'www.yourname.com', or a sub-domain such as 'yourname.thehost.com'. The compromise is you may have to display your hosts adverts on your website.

Virtual Hosting

Virtual web hosting allows you to host your website using a domain name of your choice e.g. www.yourname.com. You will be given a certain amount of web space, measured usually in Mb on a server you share with other people. This gives a professional image and will allow you to change hosts with minimum hassle.

What's the most popular type of hosting plan?
Virtual hosting is the most common plan purchased. It allows people starting a serious business or money making website to get online at a low cost to begin with, and they can increase the services they require as their website grows. A typical virtual hosting plan can range from $10 to $30 per month, depending on the features that you require.

What hosting plan do I need?
Before choosing your hosting package, you should identify what your needs are. With all hosting plans, there will be some facilities that you need and some offered to you that you don't need. Make sure you focus on the essentials that are required to launch your website. You may want all the nice extras but may not use them. It's also a good idea to try and pick a host that will allow you to expand and increase your plan as and when your website grows. If you want to start selling online, an additional e-commerce option for an extra fee will be easier and quicker to implement than looking for and transferring to a new host.