Building/hosting a website

stefano

[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]This is a totally new area for me, I have surfed many, but never had to think about one for myself.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]I am thinking of setting up a website for a driving school, but knowledge and funds are not in abundance.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]As far as I understand, and please correct me if I am wrong:[/FONT]

1. [FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]I need to purchase a domain name, [/FONT]
2. [FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Build [/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]the[/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif] website, through a web design site like godaddy or 1to1[/FONT]
3. [FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Then pay someone to host [/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]it[/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif].[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Is there a more cost effective way of creating and hosting a website?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Can I build it myself?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]As far as I understand, the web hosting is a huge server that is always on. Theoretically, could a website be hosted from a home PC, but leaving a PC always on?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]And what programs would be needed to create a webpage/site?[/FONT]

bod1467

1. Correct. You would go to a Domain Registrar / Reseller to do this.

2. There are many ways to build a website - the best way depends on
a) Your own website design skills
b) The features required of the website
c) Your budget to spend on this (if b means you need to hire someone to do it)

3. You usually need to pay someone to host the website, although it is possible (but not really recommended) to host it yourself. Often domain registrars will offer combined domain registration and hosting packages.

There are many registrars/hosters available - GoDaddy and 1&1 (not 1to1) are not the only options, and maybe not even the best options depending on what you want the website to do.

Gunstar

*walks back out of thread*

stefano

Has anyone heard of http://www.wix.com/ ?
I am struggling to understand why someone would do it for free.

battleborn

stefano wrote: »

Has anyone heard of http://www.wix.com/ ?
I am struggling to understand why someone would do it for free.

I would guess they display ad's

bod1467

Why does anyone offer anything free? Why can you get free anti-virus software? Why can you get free media players (like VLC)? Or free operating systems (like Linux)?

Wix is simply a drag-and-drop website builder that uses a defined set of templates/layouts. Fine if it lets you achieve the look and functionality you're looking for in a website. And if 500MB data transfer per month (free plan) is enough.

RockPaperScissors

Wix is really restrictive.

I also find the same with 1&1 etc.

I would actually be more inclined to recommend setting up a WordPress site and having a play around with themes. You could then sort hosting and domain name via so everything is in one place. There are lots of themes and people who could probably help. Maybe on sites such as http://www.peopleperhour.com/ where you can search for designers etc. to build the site for you at an agreed cost.

bod1467

battleborn wrote: »

I would guess they display ad's

Bingo!...

How can I remove the Wix Ads?

You can remove the Wix ads from your site by upgrading your site to a package that includes removing the Wix ads.

Tiexen

stefano wrote: »

[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]This is a totally new area for me, I have surfed many, but never had to think about one for myself.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]I am thinking of setting up a website for a driving school, but knowledge and funds are not in abundance.[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]As far as I understand, and please correct me if I am wrong:[/FONT]

1. [FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]I need to purchase a domain name, [/FONT]
2. [FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Build [/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]the[/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif] website, through a web design site like godaddy or 1to1[/FONT]
3. [FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Then pay someone to host [/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]it[/FONT][FONT=Calibri, sans-serif].[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Is there a more cost effective way of creating and hosting a website?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]Can I build it myself?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]As far as I understand, the web hosting is a huge server that is always on. Theoretically, could a website be hosted from a home PC, but leaving a PC always on?[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]And what programs would be needed to create a webpage/site?[/FONT]

I think you should set up a Google website:
Single-click page creation
Customizable look and feel
Dozens of pre-built templates
Settings for accessing and sharing information
And it's free!
and then use Facebook/Twitter as well

Total cost £0 - you can have your own Domain name if you want to splash out. :

stefanodrivingschool.co.uk for example

for £3 a year with a simple redirect to your Google site

battleborn

If you are building a store type site where sales and transactions take place I can highly recommend opencart.

Lagoon

If you're looking to be found on Google, please consider Weebly rather than Wix.