STEP 1: Find a domain name host and a Web site host. (Both of these services are usually provided by the same company.)
You can do a search for "Web site hosting" and find many options. Important things to consider as you review the options:
- Is there a fee for hosting a domain name (aside from the Web hosting charges)?
- Are there any hidden fees ("set up fees", fee for extra traffic, FTP visits, etc.)?
- Is the quoted fee a monthly, quarterly or yearly rate?
- Do you need a secure server or e-commerce ?
- How are they connected to the Internet? (number of sites on server?)
- Ask to view a site hosted by them and check download time.
- How reliable is their server? (What is their downtime record?)
- How is their technical support?
- Call the tech. support number and see how long they keep you on hold. How are they notified when their server is down?
- Do they do regular back-ups of all files on server?
- Do they have generator power available?
Here is a summary list of the comparison criteria:
- connection to web
- cgi access
- mb space
- email accounts (POP or forwarding)
- monthly rate
- set up fee
- domain registration & hosting
- real audio a
- secure server
- e-commerce
- forwarding
- auto responder
- CGI library
- shell account access
STEP 2: Get the technical information from domain name host (for next step)
STEP 3: Register your domain name