Help with web design and hosting

straws

Hi everyone

I'm looking into setting up my own website (it seems too expensive to get someone to design one for me!), but I'm confused by the options. I need to register a domain name, produce a website and have the site hosted - preferably all with one company. I've looked at a couple of domain registration sites, but I was wondering if anyone has used a good one?
Also, does anyone know how much space I would need on a server, as what's offered seems to vary quite a lot. I want to have up to 5 pages and will be selling products, although not with an e-commerce facility - I'll just offer the option of paypal etc.
Any help would be really appreciated - I'm quite clueless about all this!

lellie

Domain Reg - I always go with ukreg.com.. (quidco fasthosts too).. As they're reliable and easy to use although not the cheapest. I wouldn't host with fasthosts though.

Some hosting packages come with free domains.. so that might be worth considering..

Hosting - It tends to be cheaper from America. I host with a small firm over there who I highly recommend (https://www.apisnetworks.com). Hosting varies dramatically.. but most packages would cover what you need there.. just get one that has pop mail included - try and get standard features like mysql and php as you might want to go for ecommerce in the future so makes sense to future proof yourself with that..

Making the site - learn to do it yourself.. you could download NVU - a free editor which is WYSIWYG but codes better than front page and the like.. Or code it using a text editor (a colour coded one like notepad2 is handy) and html.

BlondeHeadOn

Might be also worth posting about this on the Techie forum - seems to be lots of good advice there!
:cool:

straws

Thanks. I'll try the Techie forum too.

grayzboy

Try https://www.streamlinenet.co.uk they have some very good prices and I have just hosted on their cheapest service and it sems to be running fine.

I hope this helps

Gray

straws

No thanks button, so thanks!