How To Build Your Own Website From Start To Finish: Step 2 – Choosing A Host… If You Need One

In part II of the continuing “How To Build Your Own Website From Start To Finish” series, we explain what the hell a web host is and whether or not you will need one when you build your new website!

Step 2: Choosing A Host… If You Need One

When you set up a website, you need to store all of the information you display (mp3′s, videos, pics, etc) somewhere on the internet.  Every bit of information on the internet is stored somewhere on a “server”.  Web hosts are companies that provide space on a “server” for you to upload stuff for your site.  Basically, web hosts are the landlords of the internet.

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Now there are two versions of WordPress…  One costs you nothing to get set up (It’s known as “WordPress.com”).  They will host your website for free.  The other, simply called “WordPress” and requires you to pay for your own hosting.  There are a few drawbacks to WordPress.com though..

• For certain features that come naturally with the non free version of wordpress, you need to pay an extra fee.  Some examples would be, uploading music files, using your own domain name (explained in step 1), customizing your web site & removing some ads from your site.
• You are stuck with the designs (what they both call “templates”) that WordPress.com provides.  This isn’t horrible if you just want to get a site up that looks good.  But this can handcuff you when you decide to buy a custom “template” or customize your templates.
• WordPress.com has limited storage space for all of your files (3 Gigabytes) and you CANNOT upload audio files unless you pay for an upgrade    Wordpess.com also does not allow you to add new features (known as “plugins”) to your website.

Note:  For an example of a plugin, click the cat picture on the top of this article.   When it  loads into a nice popup screen thing, that’s because I use a plugin to do that for me.  Also, the sexy little streaming mp3 players like below are possible due to plugins (feel free to let it play while you finish this article).  There are also a ton of great plugins working behind the scenes on this site…

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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If “WordPress.com”” sounds like something you’d like, go here and check out their installation instructions.  It’s free to set up, so it’s no big deal if you decide to pass.  I highly recommend passing on wordpress.com though.  If you trust my word and/or you intend to play with the big boys on “WordPress (no .com)”, read on…

Note:  I originally set up a wordpress.com site for this blog, but realized shortly after that I needed to setup a “WordPress (no .com)” site.  I recommend you skip that process.

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If you plan to go with “WordPress (no .com)”, you are going to need a web host.  There are hundreds of web hosts out there.  Some of them are cheap, some are expensive and some seem to be just right.  If you are going to cut corners and go with one of the really cheap and “new”/”unknown” web hosts, you might as well stick with WordPress.com.  You can run into MAJOR headaches dealing with a poor quality web host.  It’s NOT WORTH IT.  Luckily there are some great web hosts that provide relatively low cost web hosting.  Here are a few web hosts that I recommend…

• Hostmonster.com – This blog is hosted at Hostmonster.com.  I originally heard a lot of good things about them so I signed up.  So far, I haven’t had any issues with them (15 months).  Their customer service is great too.  It’s good to be able to call them at 3 a.m. looking for some help and getting knowledgeable people on the line ready to help out.
• Fatcow.com – I have 2 hosting accounts with Fatcow, once again I haven’t had any issues with them (5 months in).  Same thing with the customer service.
• Hostgator.com – I have two more hosting accounts with Hostgator.  Now I have had one problem with these guys (5 months in), but it isn’t anything that would stop me from recommending them.

Note:  Godaddy.com offers web hosting, DO NOT CHOOSE TO HOST YOUR SITE AT GODADDY!  I’d have to get further into nerd speak to explain why, but just don’t do it.  Their web hosting sucks.

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I’d check all of them out and see who offers the basic plan that suits your economic situation.  If I were to set up another account right now, I’d probably run with fatcow.  They currently have a $66 for a year of hosting plan.  Hostgator has a slightly cheaper plan, 4.95 a month… but you have to lock in for 3 years to get that price.

If you chose to go with “wordpress.com”, then we are going to have to part ways.  The rest of this series is not for you…  If  you choose “WordPress (no .com)”, or signed up for a new web host account, it’s time to move on to STEP 3!