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10-10-2006, 03:20 PM #1Newbie
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*First Web Site* Need Some Opinions
Hi, my name is Jeff and this is my first post. I've done some research beforehand and now I have a few questions specific to my needs.
I am looking to start a site that that supports my hobby(guitar). Initially, I want to get my feet wet by starting a site for my own personal use. Eventually, I would like to promote the site and add a forum, photo gallery, links, possible web store.
1. What type of host will I need?
2. What are some good recommendations for my purpose? (I was leaning towards Futurequest based on reviews, but I'm not sure if thats the type of host for my purpose)
3. Once the site is set up, how do I start designing it?
Cost isn't much of a factor as long as the service is good and they are reasonable. I would like to stay with the same host as my site grows. I would like multiple options or at least the most popular options available as far as site design is concerned. I don't necessarily need plug & play, but keep in mind that I am a creative beginner. The site will have to support photos, graphics, sound and possibly video.
Here is an example of a site I would somewhat model the forum after, however, unlike this site I plan on having more than just a forum.
I hope my questions made sense. Please ask for more info if I was not clear.
Thanks again!
Jeff
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10-10-2006, 03:38 PM #2Web Hosting Master
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Welcome to WHT Jeff!
The problem is a little more complicated, there are a lot of things to say.
First, we can't see the url you are talking about because you don't have the numbers of posts required so you can post an URL.
You will need a basic host ...atleast in the start, let's say up to 500 megs (but you will not get to use this much in the first monts) of space and 10GB of traffic.
You can use a free html editor (like nvu) to build your site or you can go to oswd.org and look for some free templates you will have to modify (with NVU or other editors) to suite your needs.
Then you can upload your pages on the hosting server (usually done via FTP with a FTP client)
You can read more about the hosting industry on this page: whreviews.comGot Fused?
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10-10-2006, 03:47 PM #3Newbie
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Thanks for the direction. I will check out that site when I get home. There was nothing special about that site, just your typical forum.
Off the top of your head, would you recommend Futurequest?
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10-10-2006, 03:55 PM #4.
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Originally Posted by Siropel
As for dynamic pages such as forums you will need a host that has PHP & mySQL or ASP & MS SQL. A host will good support will help you get everything setup. Expect to pay around $7+ per month for this.
Good luck with your site!
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10-10-2006, 03:59 PM #5Web Hosting Master
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Any host that offers php and mysql can host a free forum software like SMF and phpBB.
I haven't had any experience with Futurequest so I can't recommend them or anything. What can I say is that they seem a well established company (domain registered in `98), people here say good things about them and the plans don't look oversold. I would think they are ok but they don't fit MY hosting needs.
Wait a while, maybe someone that's hosted with them can tell you more about them.Got Fused?
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10-10-2006, 04:21 PM #6Web Hosting Master
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Hi Jeff, welcome to the Forums! As the others have said, most hosts will be able to help you. You'd probably start off with a basic plan, most times it's easy for you to upgrade to a larger plan once your site gets bigger and more traffic. Choose a few hosts you think you like and send off a few questions to them before you decide. That will give you a better idea on which hosts respond within a reasonable amount of time and how much they would be willing to help you out. Best of luck!
Jim - 2Macs H-Sphere Web Hosting
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10-10-2006, 04:43 PM #7Newbie
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Originally Posted by lgehrig4
They have very excellent support in regards to helping me meet my needs; whether it has been installing an SSL cert, restoring files from a backup, or giving me advice on marketing.
I dont think I can provide a link but they are at utropicmedia.net
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10-10-2006, 04:48 PM #8Texas Female
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Originally Posted by lgehrig4
Its refreshing to see that you are doing some research
Futurequest has an excellent reputation, and has maintained that for years now as far as I know.
You could go with many free templates available for download OR select a host that offers a site builder with their plans. Im not sure if futurequest offers that feature but it would be a good question to inquire about.HostCaters.com - Quality Web Hosting - Under A Gig! - Since 1999
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10-10-2006, 05:10 PM #9Web Hosting Master
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1. What type of host will I need?
2. What are some good recommendations for my purpose? (I was leaning towards Futurequest based on reviews, but I'm not sure if thats the type of host for my purpose)
3. Once the site is set up, how do I start designing it?
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10-10-2006, 08:54 PM #10Newbie
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Great stuff! I can surf the web and shop with the best of them, but up until recently I had never given thought to how it's all put together. Hell, I didn't even know the service GoDaddy provided, only that they have a hot chick in their commercials.
This really helps!
Thanks
Jeff
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10-10-2006, 09:10 PM #11Web Hosting Master
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what is all this talk about web editors. am i the only person still using notepad.
anyways hostdime is good. they have a site builder and fantasico. almost everything is automated. i strongly recommand you do every manuely. you can't imagine what you will learn.
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10-10-2006, 09:54 PM #12Newbie
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Originally Posted by mohamoud
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10-10-2006, 10:33 PM #13Texas Female
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Well you will have a ton of options
sitepointforums.com is excellent for beginner webmasters. They have html forums there as well.
As far as editors go there are also some free or low fee ones available too.
I love EditPlus (editplus.com)
It will remind you of a fancy notepad.
and Ive heard 1st Page 2000 is pretty good although Ive never used it, but there is more info available at www.evrsoft.com
The built-in site builders that hosts offer with their plans might have some limitations, BUT they are capable of getting a presence online with a few clicks (point-click-publish)HostCaters.com - Quality Web Hosting - Under A Gig! - Since 1999
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10-11-2006, 01:36 AM #14Retired Moderator
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You can use a free html editor (like nvu)
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10-11-2006, 11:06 AM #15Newbie
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Ok, now time for a stupid question. When looking at the pricing of Hostdime's plans I noticed that in addition to the disk and bandwidth space it mentions how many domains it will host.
When creating one web site with multiple pages, is each page considered a new domain? If so do I have to register each?
example:
ABCStore.com
ABCStore.com/index
ABCStore.com/privacypolicy
Would I have to register 3 names or 1? Would my host consider this 3 domains or 1?
thanks
jeff
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10-11-2006, 11:12 AM #16Web Hosting Master
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Jeff,
Each page is not considered a new domain.
A new domain would be like:
abcstore.com
defstore.com
zyxstore.com
Some hosting accounts allow you to host multiple domains whereas others it's either an additional fee or not available.
Good luck with the hunt!
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10-11-2006, 03:48 PM #17Web Hosting Master
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Originally Posted by lgehrig4
For your multiple domain question, not all cases, but think of it this way, say you were a webmaster that built several sites for others and wanted one hosting account to manage the different sites you built, you could get one account and host several sites with it.Jim - 2Macs H-Sphere Web Hosting
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Fully Managed Services| Custom Web Designs
Unconditional, 30 Day Money back Guarantee!
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10-11-2006, 05:43 PM #18Newbie
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Jeff, bottom line, when looking for a host, while you will need a host that provides you with a basic shared hosting (linux or windows hosting will work for this matter), keep in mind that as you grow your site, you will want to think about quality and a host that focuses on customer service. All of the space in the world will not make a difference if your host does not stay focuses on providing top notch servers and great support when you need it.
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10-12-2006, 11:58 AM #19Newbie
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Ok, I've read some reviews both here and on WebHost Magazine and I also went to the host sites and have come up with this short list.
Site5
LiquidWeb
Fluid Hosting
HostGator
FutureQuest
They all have packages in my price range, but I really don't know what kind of host I'll need (VPS, Reseller, Windows, Unix/Linux, etc). I would like to start this site faster than it will take me to learn all this so based upon what I am doing, do any of these choices stand out?
Someone mentioned that I would need PHP & MySQL. All of these hosts have this, but some say unlimited databases and at least one has a limit of 5 on the package I was looking at. Since I don't know what MySQL is I don't know how many I would need.
Jeff
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10-12-2006, 01:05 PM #20Retired Moderator
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All of these hosts have this, but some say unlimited databases and at least one has a limit of 5 on the package I was looking at. Since I don't know what MySQL is I don't know how many I would need.Eventually, I would like to promote the site and add a forum, photo gallery, links, possible web store.
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10-12-2006, 01:59 PM #21Newbie
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Originally Posted by ldcdc
...so do you always need a database per page or just certain pages? Are there any good books/mags or online resources where I can learn the basics without going into too much detail at the moment?
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10-13-2006, 12:53 AM #22Newbie
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lgehrig4:
No, you do not always need a database. For example, you could have 10 html pages that just list basic static (non-changing, not dynamic) information such as company history, info about your products, etc. and none of these pages would require a database.
The time when you get into requiring a database in when you want to either display dynamic information (e.g. customer account information on a web page) or store information (e.g. customer order details or info customers fill out when completing a form to put info into a guestbook). Hope this helps.
A good example of a CMS (content management system) that uses a database to dynamically display your web pages would be Mambo or Joomla (mamboserver.com and joomla.org, respectively)
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10-13-2006, 08:29 AM #23Newbie
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Originally Posted by geekcityusa
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10-13-2006, 10:52 AM #24Newbie
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Glad to help. Let us know if you have more questions. Thanks!