How much does webhosting cost?Answer:It depends on what you need, what kind of support you will get, and how each company operates. For example, it is not uncommon to see a webhost offering a hosting plan for $2.99 a month. But the question to ask yourself then is - if you run into problems, what kind of support could you expect to receive? While not infallible, it is a general rule that the more pricey the hosting, the higher quality performance and service you receive.
How do I upload files for my website?Answer:If you have noticed, all website links you open up on the web start with 'http://' - this means it is using something called HTTP to download files. To upload files to your webhost, you have to use something like FTP. So just like you can use Internet Explorer or FireFox to view the web, you need a program that will let you use FTP. Two popular FTP programs are SmartFTP and cute FTP. Your webhost will give you the necessary details to use FTP - which includes a hostname (normally ftp.yourdomain.com), a username, and a password. You then use the FTP program to connect to your web host and upload your files
What is web hosting?Answer:To state it quickly - web hosting is the act of putting a website online to be accessed by other users. What web hosting does is connect servers (powerful computers) to the internet. People can then access these servers to load your website. Think of Yahoo. Every time you type in 'Yahoo.com' what happens is you are literally connecting to servers that host Yahoo.com. A web host is a company that provides this web hosting service. Web Hosting Pages has a web hosting directory of web hosts if you need one.
I want to run a blog - do I need web hosting?Answer:It depends. There are very popular free blogging providers. The top three are Blogger (owned by Google), WordPress.com, and TypePad. The problem with the above is that you are stuck with what they offer. As a pre-built solution, your options for design and customization are relatively constricted. The other option is called 'self-hosting' by bloggers. In this case, you purchase web hosting, and then install your own blogging software. Popular blogging software includes WordPress (who as you saw also offer a free-hosted-version) and Movable Type (by the makers of TypePad). Both WordPress and Movable Type are free to download and install. Installation may sound scary but is really easy - your web hosting company can help you with that. For beginners - it is likely best to use one of the above three, and once you get the hang of it, look into self-hosting your blog
I have a domain name - do I still need web hosting?Answer:Yes! A domain name basically gives you the right to that address on the internet. To use an analogy - think of a domain name as a license to have a website. But where does the website exist? Where exactly do you put your website? What your webhost does is provide you with a place to put your website.
How do I move from one web hosting to another?Answer:The simple way is:
The above is simplified, but hits all the major points you need to keep an eye on. It is recommend that you contact your new webhost for questions and help.
What is DNS?Answer:Basically - if someone types in Yahoo.com, it is the DNS that says to your computer "go here to load up Yahoo.com" Web hosting is basically a bunch of servers (powerful computers) all connected to each other. Not just a few - tens of millions of servers connected to each other. So if I type in Yahoo.com - how do you know which server to access? DNS! The DNS for Yahoo.com is what points you to the right server to access Yahoo.com. Usually the DNS for a domain is the host they are using. So if you are using HostX.com, you will use the DNS provided by them (something like ns1.hostx.com or dns1.hostx.com) |