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What is hosting?
This is needed to store your web site somewhere others can easily access it from, it is done by companies with special computers that are constantly monitored and always online, I don't provide this service.
Some of the features a web host should provide:
- Your own domain name (e.g. www.something.co.nz)
- Over 30 MB of web site space (1 CD is 700MB but 30MB is plenty for the kind of web sites I make)
- 5 email users, 1 of which is a catch-all (anything@yourdomain)
- Support for PHP, ASP, CGI, SSI languages - This feature is essential!
- Web stats
Pricing:
The hosting/domain packages I recommend are all below $200 per year
A few options for hosting:
- Simplehost
(Cheap hosting, great service, but you need to buy your domain name from another provider)
- Freeparking
(The full package, but more expensive)
- Webbase Hosting
(A new, even cheaper host I am looking at)
Hosting Features Explained:
- Domain Name:
A domain name is the 'name' for your web site (e.g. tjl.co.nz) the address that goes after 'http://www.'
- Web site Space:
The amount of space online for your web site. Space is measured in MB(mega-bytes), a CD can contain about 700MB. The amount of space a web site requires depends on the type: a one page site can fit on less than 1MB, a larger site can easily fit on 30MB and a site with a PHPBB forum will require over 100MB
- Traffic/Bandwith:
Every time someone down-loads a page, bandwidth will be used. Our pages are programmed to use the minimum amount of bandwidth possible. The amount of bandwidth you require depends on the amount of visitors to your web site. All hosting companies we reccomend provide you with more than enough bandwidth for any kind of traffic.
- Email:
When you purchase a hosting account and a domain name you will also receive an email address and one or more email boxes for your domain name. You can make the first part of the address whatever you want and the last part will be your domain name (lets say your domain name was: http://www.something.co.nz), for example: whatever@something.co.nz or info@something.co.nz
- PHP:
Unless you want a single page web site, PHP support is essential. The online contact enquiry form is programmed using PHP code, this web site is programmed using the PHP language and the PHPBB forums are also programmed in PHP.
- MYSQL:
MYSQL databases are usually provided in the more expensive hosting plans, this feature is only neccesary if you want a PHPBB forum/discussion board on your web site.
- Web site Statistics:
Most hosting providers provide you with detailed web site statistics, this is a really handy feature because you can keep track of how many people visit your web site. Some statistics packages can even show you which town your visitors are from and how they got to your site.
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