Blogger BlogNet44857

If you want to get involved with the internet, there is a good chance that you are interested in starting your own web site. But before you can do this, you need to know how to host a web site. When it comes down to it, only the most technical internet dwellers know everything about hosting. Fortunately, you can learn how to host a web site if you are willing to do nothing more than learn. All in all, this is not an impossible job to handle.

First things first, you need to know what web site hosting is all about. Generally speaking, if you want to have a web site you need to have a host that is going to make it "live" for you. In other words, a domain name and design are not good enough. It is the actual web site host that is going to make sure that your site can be seen by anybody and everybody who is interested. If you have your own server, this is something that you may be able to handle on your own. On the other side of things, most people rely on a web host company to help them with all of their needs. Not only does this keep costs down, but it can also go a long way as far as technical support is concerned.

So you need web site hosting? The first step is to register a domain name. Without one of these, you really have nothing to host for the most part. Even if you have the best web site design on the planet, without a host nobody is going to be able to see it. Once you have your domain name registered you will then have the ability to get moving in the right direction.

When your domain name is ready to go, you will then want to get in touch with a web site hosting company. You will have to give them information about your domain name so that they can make sure to get everything on the same page. In order to avoid this, you may want to look for a company that offers both domain name registration and hosting. This way, they can do everything for you. For beginners, this is usually the best way to go.

Now that you have registered your domain name and found a reliable host, you are almost ready to go. The last step is to get all of the files together for your web site. Obviously, this is something that you may need help with. And not only may you need help designing and putting together your site, but you may also need assistance with making this go live. This is why it is important for you to do business with a web host that is willing to assist you.

The details of how to host a web site are not entirely complex. In most cases, you will be best off if you get the help of your web host company. They are the experts in the industry, and this allows them to help you every step of the way.

Bill McNulty writes about dedicated web hosting at the web hosting directory, HostingRef.com.

If you have a website online, you have a hosting account. As I've mentioned in previous articles, hosting is similar to paying "rent" on the Internet. In order to be visible, you'll need to be on a server.

I decided to write about hosting today when out walking this morning with a friend. We were discussing how many companies are still paying a hefty monthly price for hosting when it really isn't necessary.

Some companies went out and got their website in the early stages of the Internet. They were cutting edge by being up on the latest trend and getting involved early. However, since that time, they haven't updated their site, optimized it for the search engines or even looked at the numbers in quite a while.

If you fall into this category, you may be surprised to know that you don't have to pay $100.00 a month for your website hosting. You can get hosting for less than $10.00 a month for your small website.

In addition to hosting, if you are wondering whether or not your site is optimized for the search engines, try doing a Google search using your keywords for the products/services you are selling. Do you come up within the search engine results? If not, then you aren't optimized for search.

Another exercise you can try is to Google your company website (domain) name. Are you the first result? You should be - this is your business! Most likely if you aren't coming up, your site was built using the old methods and you really could have so much more visibility on the web and more success as a business owner if you were to opt for a site re-design.

I can't emphasize enough how important it is to continually update your site with fresh content. If you are stuck with your old hosting company/website design firm and they haven't contacted you to help your business grow - you are throwing your money away every month.

Steps you should take:

• Do some research and see how much companies are charging for domain name renewal (often times you are being over-charged), you can usually pick one up for around $12.00. The longer period you purchase the name for, it will be cheaper and it has a benefit for your SEO! Some algorithms rank your site higher if you have a longer registration of your domain name.

• Find out what hosting packages are going for these days. You can move your existing site to a new host for a nominal fee and start saving money right away!

• Learn as much as you can about SEO and then find a new website design firm that can help you with all of the elements you need. You don't want to get stuck in the same situation you are in now. Plunk down a few extra bucks to invest in a CMS so you'll be able to update your site yourself and keep your content fresh.

Remember, you don't have to pay a small fortune for hosting and the company that you are doing business with should pay attention to your needs and not just leave you out there floating in cyberspace without guidance.

Joanne Pele is the Vice President of Operations at Complete Business Systems. Complete Business Systems provides a ready-to-go branding package for your company, including website, logo, business cards and letterhead. Additional services include postcard design, databases, press release and web content writing. For more information, visit Complete Business Systems or call 800-479-9186.