Novice needs help with domain reg and web hosting

111KAB

In the process of setting up a firm which is a new venture and want to keep costs to the minimum. I have checked that the domain name I require is available (.co.uk) and therefore need to sort out the following
1) Domain name registration - due to the nature of the firm I do not require .com or other alternatives.
2) Website - simple site as no selling involved just information regarding the firm. I will require email address linked to website and an address which automatically sends mail to my private address.
3) Letterheadings/business cards - is there a site which someone can point me to please where I can download my own template and just print off as required rather than go to the expense/trouble of dealing with a printer?

My main concern is that a few years ago I undertook a similar exercise where I entered into a two year (cheap'ish) deal with a web host firm which including them sorting out my domain name registration. After 2 years they jacked up their annual price (in hindsight it was probably in the small print) so I decided not to continue with their webhosting so in return they effectivelly steralised my domain name (I think they registered themselves) making it impossible, for some time, to set up a website with the 'original' name. I don't know if this was legal but thats what happened.

I therefore had in mind registering the domain name with a different firm to the web host Company thus making them independant of each other ~ does this make sense?

Finally I am keen to find a domain name/web host company who do not escalate their annual fee once their introductory offer has expired. Any recommendations?

Thanks for your help - please correct any of my misconceptions and PM me suggested firms to approach if you wish.

daveys_2

It all depends on how involved you want to get as to how little money you want to spend, but you certainly seem to be going along the right ideas with regards separate domain registration and hosting options.

For Domain names just google domain name registrars, and work your way through the list. Personally I’ve been using Do Daddy for a number of years and bought a lot of domain names through them. Just so long as to stick to what you want, and don’t get sucked into the ‘extras’ then you’ll be fine…oh yes and don’t forget to renew with them, or make arrangements to renew elsewhere in plenty of time. Regardless of registrar, if you don’t keep this up to date then things WILL get expensive.

All hosts are much of a muchness. I have a number of websites, and have what is known as a Reseller Package. This allows me to create separate accounts for different sites, and if I want, sell my surplus webspace to friends and collegues. I spend about £6 a month for this package, and I rent out spare capacity to mates who buy me a beer once or twice a month (so it sort of pays for itself).

Things to look for are:
Disk Space Available to you (This is the size of your website)
The Bandwidth available (this determines how often your site can be viewed)
The number of (pop3) mailboxes you get (ideally unlimited as there's little reason why a reputable provider can't give you unlimited mailboxes),
Also the number MySQL databases available to you (again ideally unlimited).

As regards your site, if you have half a clue as to what you want to up, there’s no reason why you can’t have a go at doing it yourself using a package such as WordPress. The software is free to download and use and there are many tutorials around the internet about creating wordpress sites, and doing it yourself can be as easy as writing an email…or as difficult as you want to make it.
I use WP for our local computer club, as does Stephen Fry for his site.

There is no definitive answer, but I would suggest that for the size of site you are thinking of, you are thinking along the right lines already, but before committing to web designers and their charging structures, have a think about doing it yourself.

Regarding the letter heads…that’s not something I’ve ever had a need for, so I can’t really comment.

texranger

. co.uk domains go with 123-reg.co.uk its £7 for 2 yrs
webhosting. well also other say google and you will find plenty but do research before committing to any. a reseller package is just as cheap as a shared package and gives you flexibilty
letterheads etc. try vistaprint.co.uk 250 bus cards free. 10 letterheads free just pay postage

daveys_2

Oh yeah - If you want to have a play, drop me a PM and I'll give you some webspace to mess around with

texranger

daveys wrote: »

Oh yeah - If you want to have a play, drop me a PM and I'll give you some webspace to mess around with

this is self advertising as giving the free webspace will encourage them to purchase a plan.

self advertising not allowed on these forums

111KAB

daveys wrote: »

Oh yeah - If you want to have a play, drop me a PM and I'll give you some webspace to mess around with

Much appreciated - I think I know where I am going now (partially due to your help) - found a few UK domain registration sites cheaper than Daddy and as mentioned think I will 2 year register domain name first then around end Jan I will go the web hosting route armed with already registered domain name. Seems a 'basic' webhosted site is around £2 p.m. - had a look at Wordpress (thanks daveys) but whilst the website will have limited information I want it to look very professional.

texranger

111KAB wrote: »

Much appreciated - I think I know where I am going now (partially due to your help) - found a few UK domain registration sites cheaper than Daddy and as mentioned think I will 2 year register domain name first then around end Jan I will go the web hosting route armed with already registered domain name. Seems a 'basic' webhosted site is around £2 p.m. - had a look at Wordpress (thanks daveys) but whilst the website will have limited information I want it to look very professional.

with a .co.uk domain name you have to register for 2 yrs minimum, but yes its better to get a domain in your own rights rather than 1 that is controlled by your web host.

daveys_2

texranger wrote: »

this is self advertising as giving the free webspace will encourage them to purchase a plan.

self advertising not allowed on these forums

This wasn't intended as such...I have hosting, I have spare capacity and I offered it on a non-commercial basis

I'm sorry if it came across as anything otherwise

texranger

daveys wrote: »

This wasn't intended as such...I have hosting, I have spare capacity and I offered it on a non-commercial basis

I'm sorry if it came across as anything otherwise

well i am also a host, but even offering spare space on these forums is deemed self advertising as you are offering your services to another member

111KAB

Well I thought I knew where I was going! Initially thought I would register domain name hopefully with "free email address" so I could 'protect' these then in say three months time establish basic website through host website firm. This route would allow me to get letterheadings and business cards ready for launch in the spring (when web site goes live) HOWEVER despite what Google searches state (ie domain name registraion with free email) whenever I proceed the free email bit seems to disappear or at least I'm asked to pay. Can anyone please recommend a reasonably priced domain registration site that does actually come with free email - if such a thing exists. Thanks

texranger

111KAB wrote: »

Well I thought I knew where I was going! Initially thought I would register domain name hopefully with "free email address" so I could 'protect' these then in say three months time establish basic website through host website firm. This route would allow me to get letterheadings and business cards ready for launch in the spring (when web site goes live) HOWEVER despite what Google searches state (ie domain name registraion with free email) whenever I proceed the free email bit seems to disappear or at least I'm asked to pay. Can anyone please recommend a reasonably priced domain registration site that does actually come with free email - if such a thing exists. Thanks

you can set up emails when you get a domain set up with hosting

say you get domain https://www.mydomain.co.uk then you can set up emails as me@mydomain.co.uk, you@mydomain.co.uk and as many as the host has allowed you to do