Where should I start out on the web?

[mrgtturbo]

I have decided to post a web page/site. I bought my domain and now seek a host for my page.

It's my understanding that I can change hosts without much problem, (In the case I later decide I wish to sell some photos and need this type of proofing service). For now I just want to get started with my page, and have little money to do so with. I have no desire to jump in and obligating myself to a $30- per month host at this time... however I would like to be able to use the domain I've bought.

I've searched free hosting, and it seems most either require there banners and ads to be on your page, or your domain is created more as a sub-domain in their system, (but this eliminates use of my domain). I can understand how this would be most common to find, (they've got to make their money also). But there must be other sollutions... and I'm sure they have been found. Anyone wish to share a good place to get hosting?

[[[ I would like to aquire an email address using my domain name, I believe I can set this up at whois for $0.80 a month fee. Not bad. I do not mind this. And I think this can be done without any type of actuall web hosting... anyone have experience with this also?]]]

Thanks

Aaron

[cdifoto]

I host with bluehost.com (http://www.bluehost.Com/track/cdi/potn). Cheap as chips & pretty reliable and quick. And you can do anything you want, providing it's legal.

Free hosting is evil. lol.

[shankey]

You can use hostgator.com hosting service, Its no.1 now a days. I am using it from some time, 100% up time with great supprot.
hostgator have some plans but i think $7.95 plan (baby plan) is good as you can install unlimited sites there and create unlimited Emails. (and thats very easy to do, i can help you in that) its batter then taking email from whois.

Hope this helps

[Moppie]

I use Globat, and thier service is fantastic.
I stuffed some things up when I first joined and they called me to help out it out. No big deal except they are based in the US an I'm in New Zealand.

But, thier servers seem a bit slow at times.

Godaddy seem to have better performance, and I have heard thier service is also really good.

Both are around US$5-6 a month.

They come with email etc, and can also handle the domian name registration.


Godaddy also comes with wordpress pre-installed, which is fantastic if you want to use it.
I tried building my own site, but ditched it in the end for a wordpress theme and NextGen gallery plug in.

[Jethro790]

I use www.1and1.com. It's been pretty good. Billed bi-annually at $29.95 per 6 months, you get something like 500 e-mail accounts and I haven't had issues with bandwidth.

[Car2n]

I'm with 1&1 also. They get a bad rap mostly because of their support but I have 2 accounts with them and have never once had a problem. (never used their support either)
Catch one of their frequent sales and get a deal on the first 3 or 6 months.

[SirStuey]

Paying for hosting isn't too bad. Right now I'm on shared hosting and pay $5 a month without a long-term contract.

Also, regarding the email, check out google apps (http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/group/index.html). Basically they handle your mail in a gmail-like layout for free as long as you already have a domain.

[mrgtturbo]

Thanks all.

I've went and bookmarked each of the hosts mentioned here. I'll be giving them some looking over later tonight. I know it seems a bit pathetic to have to seek a deal, or be careful to make a good choice when there is an abundancy of host advertising next to nothing monthly rates. But when I started looking the first few I found wanted a year in advance. I'm not too proud to say things are a bit tight at the moment... and I'm getting impatiant. LOL

shankey... love the eye shot.



Aaron

[shankey]

Thanks all.

shankey... love the eye shot.

Aaron

Hey thanks man but i didn't shoot that :p
I liked it too in first sight so edited it little bit and made my avatar...

[cdifoto]

Hey thanks man but i didn't shoot that :p
I liked it too in first sight so edited it little bit and made my avatar...
So you stole it? That's rich.

Then again you're not unique in that regard. A lot of photographers steal images to use as their avatar while at the same time screaming bloody murder when their image(s) get ripped off. :rolleyes:

[mrgtturbo]

I was looking to be hosted at 1&1, (thanks), but there is apparently a problem. :( I can't "transfer" until after I have owned the domain for at least 60 days, (and I just bought this days ago). So I am left with an option of "set up as an external domain". What does this mean exactly? IS this what one does when it's already being hosted, or does it matter if it's presently hosted or not? Not sure what to do... or even if this external thing is something I can do. Anyone know about this?

Thanks.

Aaron

[Car2n]

What that means is you bought your domain name through someone other than 1&1 and it must remain in their control for at least 60 days. After 60 days 1&1 can have the domain name transfered to be under their control.
You can leave the name where it is registered (external domain) and have it "point" to your hosting at 1&1 and it will be seamless. I had to do this as my domain is a .ca and 1&1 cannot provide those.
I believe it's called domain mapping. 1&1 will provide you 2 server numbers much like a URL number and you apply those numbers where you have your domain registered.
Since 1&1 will provide you 2 domain names with their service, you may want to send them an email and ask if yours could be included after it has expired with the current registar.

[mrgtturbo]

Thanks for explaining that to me. Unfortionatly I didn't notice a responce until after I took a dive. LOL BUt I'm not unhappy about what I did, and explaination will still be useful to me... but in 6 months.

I decided since I thought I was locked down for 60 days anyways, and I happened to realize that I could sign up for only 6 months with whois, (where it appeared only to be for 1 year plus). I figured I would just go ahead with the 6 months and then transfer after the fact, or go about it the other way since I understand it better now, and I had asked the guy at 1&1 about adding URLs ect... and there is apparently no problem in doing that.

It was something like $28- for 6 months with a single email account. Umm.... 2000mb web space, something like 2500mb transfer, 100mb email. I know the storage is higher with 1&1 and others, but I am just starting the page and don't need much space right now I'm sure. Besides... I only have 1 photo so far. *note to shankey, please don't steal it. :-P But seriously... should be more than enough space to start with.

Thanks again for the help everyone.

Aaron

[SirStuey]

Are you sure that the "transfer" referred to hosting? It sounds like you tried to transfer your domain to 1&1. You can, and SHOULD use different hosts and registrars. In other words, don't transfer the domain to 1&1.

[mrgtturbo]

You can, and SHOULD use different hosts and registrars.

Why is this?
I just grabbed 6mths hosting from the people I registered with.

Aaron

[SirStuey]

There are times when there issues could arise. I've heard and read all kinds of things, such as "free private whois" that resulted in transferring domain ownership to the host, and similar issues where domains were held hostage. I don't know if those were valid stories, but it was enough to steer me to maintain separate relationships.

Whatever you do, do not google "1&1 sucks (http://www.google.com/search?q=1%261+sucks)."

Still, this is nothing to fret or worry about. You may just want to switch hosts once the 6mo contract expires, unless you're completely satisfied, of course.

[Karl Johnston]

Hey thanks man but i didn't shoot that :p
I liked it too in first sight so edited it little bit and made my avatar...
LOL