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)

• To register a domain name you must be able to give the domain name registrar 2 Domain Name Server (DNS) IP addresses or you must "park" the domain with them. These Domain Name Servers are the machines who have a connection to the Internet who will host your name.

STEP 3: Register your domain name

• Search the database at networksolutions.com site to check on the availability of domain names
  • Domain names will cost $35.00 per year if you purchase from Network Solutions however:
    • In 1999 Network Solutions lost the monopoly on domain name registration and now there are other companies that can register your name for less than the 35/yr. See our Course Information Page
  • Once you register your domain name with INTERNIC/ ICANN, your domain name host will get an email asking for permission to point to their server with your domain name. Once this is granted it will take a few days for the domain name information to propagate throughout the Internet so that you can type your domain name in your browser's location field and find your site.