Domain_Hosting_confused_Help

cargo

Hope this makes sense.

I have web space with my isp "pipex"
So I have created a webpage or two and uploaded it.
Works fine but it's got me thinking about getting a domain name.
Does it work lile this.
So if I purchase a domain name from somewhere do I have the domain name provider forward visitors to my web pages on my isp.
Or do you have to have the domain name and hosting @ the same place.

s

amcluesent

>So if I purchase a domain name from somewhere <

You can use any registrar for your domain name (I am happy to use NSDesign). The registrar will usually give you an admin web-page to manage your domain, where you define where e-mail & web access is redirected to, such as the domain given to you by the ISP providing your cable or ADSL.

Flexible_Friend

Basically, you buy the domain name (".co.uk", ".com") from one company e.g. https://www.123-reg.co.uk and you can either buy a hosting package (webspace, emails etc.,.) from them or you can take your domain name to another company and host it with them. You own the domain name. It is totally separate from your ISP. However, if you want you can redirect visitors to your site to the webspace provided with your ISP. I personally would take out an independent hosting package. Shop around - there's plenty of cheap ones out there depending on your needs. Make sure they have a good after sales support to help you with any problems.

cargo

This is starting to make sense now, thx for your comments.
I am thinking it would be ok to use the free web space provided by my isp for a start and then later change to a paid host.
Why use a paid host as suggested ,is this because of superior after support.
Also I was under the impression you buy your domain as a one off fee but the sites I have been on you pay each year,or is this for the cost of running the domain eg,forwarding to web pages and the like.
Any other comments would be welcome.

cheers

Skyhigh

You cannot buy domain names!

They are only on a short term (up to 10 years for.com) lease.
You pay for domain names Per Year, although you can pay for 1,2,5 or 10 years at once depending on the domain name, you can only lease .co.uk's for a max of 2 years - but you are given the first refusal on renewing the domain name lease for another 2 years.
Although you are free to trade, give or sell your lease on a domain name to someone else.

(For example, https://www.gopc.com is apparently selling for $60k).

Anyhow, I used 123reg.co.uk for most of my domains.

You can use any company to register your domain with, just make sure that they offer Web Forwarding.
This allows you to "point" a domain at another page.
Such as https://www.mydomainhere.com points to: http://www.userx.here.geocities.com.

E-mail forwarding also allows you to specify an email address (not account!) to forward to another address, similar with the URL's.
Exmaple:
cargo@mydomainname.com
will forward all email to myemailaddresshere@myname.aol.com
- It just makes things look a bit more professional

This is by far the simplest method.



If you wish to use more advanced features, such as pop3 accounts and similar provided with your webspace with a domain name then you'll have to change the Nameservers...and then it all gets a bit techie.

I cannot recommend the hosting provided by 123reg, is is Very Expensive for what it is, compared to many others out there.
If your free hosting or ISP hosting does the job, then you've no need to change.
(Unless you want to start supporting sites that use MYSQL databases, etc, etc ,etc).

A very good cheap domain host is https://www.illusionfxnet.com
Its $15 (£9?) a year for their Cloud FX plan, which is about 5 mysql databases, unlimited subdomains, 10 parked domains, Cpanel interface, 500mb space, etc.


:!:

cargo

Great reply "shyhigh" many thanks.

I have sent you a pm.

amcluesent

>Why use a paid host as suggested <

Because the ISP's offering home-users some web-space will only support serving of static HTML pages. If you are looking to run anything fancier than a personal web-site of some holiday snaps, you'll need a host which can support a product catalogue database, handle forums, manage logins, take credit card payments etc.

cargo

Thx for that it is only simple web page (html) more of a photo album really.

vansboy

I'm new to making our websites & had a few problems through my lack of knoledge, of whats what.

Used https://www.nicnames.co.uk for hosting & name purchase.

Also their rapid help on the support is on the fone - 0870 number, so not over expensive - or by the next day on e mail without cost.

See what you think to their price plans.

VB