domain hosting

patchwork_cat

I am brand new to this, but i am trying to set up a website. I am wanting to know what is the best and cheapest domain host with most options and best service for web hosting. I have tried microsoft office live beta, but 72 hours after starting my site is not live and I found their website design far too limiting.
TIA Patch

wonka

Take a look at www.123-reg.co.uk or www.1and1.co.uk

Both cheap, and feature-packed. I've used 123-reg for all my domains.

wonka

By the way, I set up a free domain on MS Office Live a couple of weeks ago (http://wonka68.com/ :cheesy:) and it did take 3/4 days to come online. As you say, it's pretty basic, best used just as a "brochure" type website.

For free web hosting, try www.jamroll.net. They have some great features, the only minor catch are a few unobtrusive ad links at the bottom of each web page.

patchwork_cat

Wonka - did you go for the monthly fee design package - Is there anyway that I could preview the banners etc. on offer before commiting to £21 do you know? It says I should be able to alter the basic package with a graphics editor, but I can't change the banner and a picture of a house isn't really appropriate to cat services! As I say I am a complete novice - we didn't 'do' computers when I was at school, so my limited knowledge is self taught.

wonka

No I didn't go for the monthly fee design package - I try to keep the costs down and do everything I can myself.

Try emailing them to see if they would be willing to show samples of banners before you commit. I'd be surprised if they refused.

LewisC_2

Friend of mine bought a package from a company selling on eBay. Pretty good value if you ask me - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190079987296&rd=1&rd=1

scudz

I personally use http://www.supanames.com for my basic hosting or http://www.streamline.net.

Both have decent specs and are cheap for 2 years.

Astaroth

For domains https://www.123-reg.co.uk
for hosting https://www.dataflame.co.uk

colin79666

for domains 123-reg
my hosting: http://www.web-mania.com

Storman_2

I know many people have mentioned 123-reg.co.uk

I find this company great for registering domains but invariably any hosting is undertaken by their sister company Webfusion (all part of the Pipex group). I've had a few sites with them and I'm afraid I can't recommend them - in fact I would avoid them.

Constant outages and downtime is my main reason, sometimes several times a week. I've since moved the sites elsewhere. However, I still register domains with 123-reg but don't use their hosting anymore.

A good company I can recommend is http://www.34sp.com

Excellent support and a true personal service. Support is by email and you usually get a reply within the hour. When I was with Webfusion my emails were ignored.

richt71

godaddy.com - £4.16 for 2 months basic hosting or a year for £25!