First element: Your Computer

Creating a Website

Creating your Website begins on your computer. It can be done offline, on your computer with a HTML software, or Online with Online Web Builder, provided by your Hosting Company.

Publishing your Website

Once your website is created, it needs to be published, so the whole world can see it. Website created on your own computer, needs to be uploaded to Web Server. It can be done with a FTP program, or with Web Interface. In case Website is built using Online Builder, there is no need to upload anything. You only need to click on publish button in Online Builder.

Managing your Website

Once you sign up for a hosting account, you get access to your own Control Panel. This is the place where you control everything about your website. You can configure email accounts, manage databases, install scripts and a lot more. Most popular control panels are cPanel, Vdeck and Plesk.

Second Element: Web Server

Web Server is a computer designed to serve web pages. It can run on Linux or Windows platform and serve hundreds of pages. Web Servers are usually located in data centers, which are power redundant, and connected to high-speed internet connections, also called Internet backbones. The whole point of data centers is to make sure websites are constantly online.

Third Element: Website Visitors

Interaction between Web Server and Surfers begin, when Surfers enter a domain name in their Web Browser. In just a fragment of a second, domain name is resolved in a domain name system (DNS) and Web Browser connects with a specific Web Server. Web Server returns request and sends Surfer data that is shown in Web Browser. Most popular Web Browsers are Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari and Opera.

As you can see, in each part of the process there is some Hardware and Software used for the system to work.

What is Shared Hosting?

Shared Web Hosting is most popular and most affordable type of Web Hosting. It means that your website shares resources with other websites on the same server. That means you also share costs, and thats the reason why Shared Web Hosting is so pupular with Beginners.

Description of Shared Hosting Service

Shared Web Hosting includes administration of the server, installation of operation system and programs. It includes updating of programs, scripts and protection from security threats. In short, you have nothing to worry about, because everything is taken care of. You can calmly use your hosting account.

 

Shared Web Hosting should include support, but that depends on each hosting provider. Good Hosts provide extensive Knowledge Base, Forums, Free Online Chat, Email Support and more. To provide all that they need dedicated people, who like what they do. And that means costs. That`s why hosts with good support have higher prices than the ones with poor, on no support at all.

 

Many people complain about bad support, but they don`t realize that quality services cost money. You honestly can`t expect support from a cheap provider.

 

Core of the service is your hosting space, bandwidth, emails and other features that are controlled in a web-based environment called Control Panel. There are many types of Control Panels. They might differ by look, but they all share one common thing: They are used to control your hosting account. Most popular Control Panels on shared hosting accounts are cPanel, Plesk and Vdeck.

Benefits of shared Hosting

Main advantage of shared hosting is surely price, since costs of managing Web Server are divided among many users. That makes shared hosting very popular Beginner Hosting option who don`t want to spend a fortune for hosting.

Second advantage is that using a shared hosting is very easy and does not require a long learning curve. Good (not the cheapest) shared hosts offer excellent support, which is essential for beginners to have a positive hosting experience. I recommend not to evaluate your host only by price.

Disadvantages of Shared Web Hosting

Sharing good things also means sharing bad things. Since all sites are on the same server, sites divide bandwidth and resources. If one site uses too much resources that means less resources for others. But since your site wont be receiving thousands of hits per second that shouldn`t be a problem.

What we recommend?

Shared Web Hosting is great for Beginners, because of small running costs opportunity to host your own website, while learning a lot of exciting things. For E-commerce or larger sites Virtual Private Server or Dedicated Hosting would be better.

What is Web Hosting?

Web Hosting is a Business, where a company (Web Host) offers Web space and other services for a small fee. They provide environment (hardware, software, knowledge and support) for hosting web pages.

How does Web Hosting Work?

Websites that you visit on Internet, are located on computers called Web Servers. They have a single task: They serve Web Pages. Web Servers can run on Linux or Windows, and can host from 1 to hundreds of Web Sites.

These Servers are located in data centers, which are exclusively built for hosting purposes. Data Centers are monitored and managed 24/7 by IT professionals, that take care everything runs smoothly. While larger companies operate their own data centers, smaller rent resources from the first ones to minimize costs.

One of the biggest Data Centers in the world, is located at ThePlanet . EasySiteGuide.com is hosted on HostGator, who uses ThePlanets data center. The Planet Data Center Chart (PDF document, 98 Kb).

What does hosting a website include?

When you buy a hosting package, you get your own hosting account. For a monthly fee, you are provided with:

• certain amount of web space
• certain amount of bandwidth (how much data you can transfer per month)
• certain number of emails
• access to Control Panel where you manage your hosting account
• optional features, such as Online Builder, Auto install scripts, e-commerce,…

Web Hosting Companies require that you have your own domain name in order the hosting to work.

Are all Hosting types the same?

No, there are many types of web hosting. Beginners usually try to find a free hosting provider, but after some time, they decide to go for a Shared Hosting Account, which is most popular and the most affordable. Other hosting types are Virtual Private Hosting, Dedicated Hosting and Colocation. You can read more about them in our article: Hosting types Explained.

How can I obtain Web Hosting for my first website?

It is very simple and it takes only a few minutes. Most companies allow you to pay with Credit Card or even Paypal. You register a domain name, select a hosting plan and provide them with email and your details. When the process is completed they will instantly send you an email with your account details.

Create a FREE website

Or better why not to create a free website? The intention of this article is not to scare you, but to tell you the truth about free website creation, which often ends in frustration and loss of many hours of your time.

Free hosting providers

I know! Things are just so tempting when they are free. But remember the saying: "There is no free lunch!". As in many cases it has proven to be true in hosting too.

Even though the hosting is free for users, someone has to pay hosting expenses. I mean, would you give money out of your pocket for hundreds of people you don`t even know ? I don`t think so.

Free hosting = Ads, Banners, Pop-ups

So how does a free hosting survive? They put ads on your site! That`s ok with me, you say. But what if these ads are making no money? Than owner will be forced to terminate free hosting. Along with your website. And sadly, you can do nothing about it. All of your content can be lost at anytime the owner says. That means he is controlling your site and your success. The fact is most free web hosting have a short life cycle. I don`t know for you, but I don`t like that.

Limits, Limits, Limits

If you read terms of service of any free host, you will see it is full of limitations. There is a limit of web space you can use, limit on bandwidth, limit on file size which is not very pleasant. Some hosts will even terminate your account for exceeding, no questions asked.

Free web hosting and personal websites

You might ask yourself why spend money for a personal site? Here is an example of two website addresses. One of them is free, and one of them is not. Can you figure out which one?

1. http://www.joeshobby.com
2. http://www.free-super-host/gests/~joeshobby/

Even if you are building a hobby website, why not have a stand alone domain that costs you as much as two cups of coffee? With your web address you also get your personalized emails like joe(at)joeshobby.com. And best of all, get rid of those spammy pop-ups and banners no one wants.

Free web hosting and business websites

Planning to start a business? Great idea? First you need a memorable domain that your visitors can remember in a snap, than a reliable web host, email and,…wait a minute. You are thinking of starting with a free host? Let me ask you something? If you were buying a new car would you buy it from

http://doeew-free.4site.com/brandnewcars or from http://www.cars.com? I though so.

There is one thing you have to know: Business on a free website is not exceptable. Here are the reasons:

• Reliability: Your website can be terminated in any moment and your customers will think your business is gone too.
• Search Engines: If you want your business to be found in Google, free websites have a problem – they will probably not rank at all. And that means no visitors from search engines.
• Sell Online: Another disadvantage of free web hosting is they do not allow interactive functions – forms, online ordering and others which may be essential to your website.
• Credibility: To be able to sell online you need reputation. It is very hard to do it on a free site. The problem is almost noone is going to link or recommend your site, because it will hurt their reputation.

Advantages of owning your own domain name

• Firstly a brandable domain name, which will get you credibility and reputation.
• Your own email: [email protected]
• No banners, pop-ups
• Total Control over the look of your website.
• Enough web space, bandwidth, advanced things like chat, forums, guest books, online stores and more.
• Guarantee your site will be online for more than 99% of time.
• You can place your own ads and make money!
• Help and Support, which is extremely valuable for beginners.

The right way to build a Website

Think what your goal is. If you are serious about creating a website, than build your website the way it should be built. Register a domain name and create a website plan .

Registering domain name is very easy and has become very cheap too. You can reserve a domain name for as long as you want.

Then your domain name need some space to be settled on. Choosing right Hosting company is very important. They will provide you with space, tools and top support.

 

Try the Freedom of paid Hosting!

Believe me, I have been through free web hosting and learned my lesson. I recommend you to start with our guide and create a website you will be proud of!