Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Newbie Seeking Information

[mrs_c]

I am totally brand new to all this, and have so many questions. I've done a lot of reading here and elsewhere, and still so many questions... I hope some of you can help me with basic "for dummies" type answers.

First, I am shopping around for a host, and don't really know the difference between bandwith and disk space. What counts towards bandwith, and what goes towards disk space? What is more important, and what should I be looking for? The biggest part of my site a t this point will be a message board/forums, with maybe another page or two for other miscellaneous things. I won't be doing anything fancy, and don't expect it to be a high-traffic site, although I should ask: What exactly is considered a high-traffic site?

Secondly, I am really confused by the difference between "add-on" vs. "parked" domains. I think I would like to register additional domain names and have them go to my main site, but would that be add-on or parked??

Another thing is about the domain names. If I pay to get a name, would that be MY name? In other words, would I be able to move it and take it with me if I want to switch host companies at a later time?

These are some of the questions I have at this stage... I do have other questions regarding templates, designs and other things, but I guess that's for later....

Thanks in advance for any help!!

[Martie]

I tried to quote the original message and got an error! Errrrr!!
Anyway.....

I will give you some suggestions and provide a few links with some helpful articles.
Its always recommended to send ANY potential hosts some questions as well BEFORE signing up anywhere. It will also provide a feel for you as to "how" the host responds to your questions.


Bandwidth = All your traffic (uploading, downloading, email, etc)
Disk Space = HTML files, graphics, etc. (actual file sizes)

http://www.hostsearch.com/articles/s..._bandwidth.asp

<snip> from above link:

For most average sites, 50 to 100 MB is an awful lot of space. Cyber-malls and big Net Communities may require approximately 200 to 400 MBs of space, but do you? In general, 1 MB equals about 100 pages of text.

In web hosting, data transfer is consumed when visitors make requests for files on your web site and download them to their personal computers. When you add up the total of all files downloaded from your site in a particular month, your total should be lower than the amount allotted within your hosting plan

</end snip>

For BB and message boards your host needs to support PHP, MySQL. This is pretty standard nowdays for web hosting. Some hosts may offer the one click install of a message board from within the control panel. If not they are very simple to install (about 10 minutes) and a good host should assist if you need help. I would "guestimate" that you could be fine with 100MB space and 5GB transfer per month. Most co. offer a control panel with their hosting plans. Its VERY easy to monitor your resource usage right from within.You would even probably be fine with 50mb space!

I would consider webhostingtalk.com a HIGH traffic site. Sites like this need their OWN dedicated server and not a shared hosting enviroment.

Parked Domain? Well this would be an excellent pre-sales ? for your potential host as they could clarify for you. We offer parked domains and with us the parked domain simply points back to the MAIN account. Its pretty useful (e.g.) if you have one site being the .com but also have the .net and .org. They would point back to the main .com site.Again you would need to clarify this with your host.

Domain Names? I HIGHLY recommend you register your domain name yourself. You can go to godaddy.com or namecheap.com and register your name for about 8.00 per year. You will be assigned a domain management interface where YOU will be able to login and update your own domain record yourself. When you then sign up for a webhost all you will need to do is login to your account and add your host DNS info. Usually this info is included in your Welcome email which should contain all your account info. Then presto....you are good to go!
Again...worth noting, a good host will assist you.

It can all be very overwhelming but once you actually settle in and get comfortable with your host I think you will do just fine. An important criteria for you when searching would be to do a search here by company name and also on google.com. Do not be fooled into thinking you need a a gig of space and 50gb bandwidth, because "you don't" TOO MANY of these hosts that offer the outlandish, insane plans for 5 bucks and under end up going belly up themselves and plenty of clients have been left stranded.

Oh me! Coffee time for me! Sorry so lengthy!

Another good resource with plenty of articles:
http://www.hosthelp.com/articles/

[CoreyMade]

Hello Mrs_c, newbies are always welcome...we all have to start somewhere right? Finding a host can be a complicated process, and sometimes has you going around in circles chasing your tail. First thing is first, remember quality over price. Basically that means don't choose your web hosting based ENTIRELY on pricing levels. In the web hosting industry, lower priced plan give you....well low results. So keep that mind.

Secondly, disk space is a measurement of space you have. Basically think of it as a house. You have your smaller houses, you have your bigger houses, and you have your biggest houses. You can only put so many things into a house, until you "pack it to the brim". Well same goes for web hosting disk space. You only have a set level, such as 1GB, 5GB, or 10GB. So that is the size of your house. Bandwidth on the other hand is a bit different. Bandwidth is your monthly alloted in/out traffic (vistors/downloads). Remember images are downloads, so if you have extensive amounts of images, they will all be downloaded BY EACH VISITOR...which tends to eat up your bandwidth (on high traffic sites). Normally the most important aspect between the two will be your bandwidth.

Reading your post, I gather that you will only need something small to start off with. Remember, most providers will allow you to upgrade your account at anytime with no additional fees until the next billing cycle. For a forum/message board, start off with the providers lowest package, see how your first month goes and go from there.

An add-on domain is a domain that points to a sub-directory and a parked domain is different domain names that point to one website. Seems that a parked domain may better suit your needs.

With domain names, alot of people will advise you NOT to purchase from the web hosting provider. I myself have not had any experience with domains from hosting providers. I have always went through GoDaddy, Network Solutions, etc. If indeed you go through one of the above or an accredited domain registar your name will be yours and you can move it to any web hosting provider at anytime, even transfer to a different registar.

Hope this helped. Good luck to you!