Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1

    Need web hosting suggestions for Newb

    Hello,

    I am looking to set up a simple website and need a host. My website will be mainly text with a few pictures and I will be selling some ebooks that I have created and since this is my first time ever creating a website, I have no idea where to start looking.

    My website will require some kind of tool to take email addresses and possibly auto-respond and I will also need to have a way to take credit card payments for my ebooks and have the customers automatically transferred to a seperate page on my website where they can download the ebooks once their card is approved.

    I need a host with an easy to setup website templates so that I can maintain them myself fairly easily.

    Thanks, I look forward to any and all suggestions.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Florida, U.S
    Posts
    1,738
    Hi,

    Welcome!

    Do you have a budget in mind? Your requirements seem fine for a shared hosting environment. Most hosts will allow you to make your own email addresses and auto-responders. Also, if you're going to be selling items online and taking credit card numbers, make sure you use SSL on your website to encrypt the connection of your customers when buying (you will need a dedicated IP for this). Most hosts will be able to support some sort of e-commerce cart software like osCommerce or AgroraCart you can install, which are also intergrated with PayPal so you can accept payments via PayPal.

    Search the Offers Section of the forums to look for potential hosts that interest you. Hope that helps a bit.
    Last edited by HostLeet; 10-24-2009 at 02:24 AM.
    HOSTLEET.COM, LLC - Elite Website Hosting Since 2008!
    Fast Reliable Affordable Secure Friendly & Courteous
    RISK-FREE Money Back Guarantee U.S.A Based & Operated
    Read Through Our Most F.A.Q's!

  3. #3
    I think the key factor is that you may need to specify an estimated budget for the site you want you want to create (assuming that you need an ecommerce site created first).

    The hosting side of things will be pretty much the usual shared hosting environment you would / can get from any good, reliable host.

    What is your experience with managing a website? As this would determine the type of ecommerce application which can be recommended to you, as each one varies with varying levels of complexity and learning curves.

    You may even be able to net yourself an "offer" - getting an ecommerce site designed which would INCLUDE at least 1 yr of hosting? I guess you would need to ask around ... as hosts will not be able to give you direct quotes via the website (against the rules).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Santa Cruz, California
    Posts
    391
    I'd shoot my friend a email if you need help on a basic site, he's good probably would fit your budget. He does my web work.

    dwood@dizzyd.net

    Goodluck on getting a site, I'd go with a custom solution instead of using some built in template crap.
    -Chris@XS
    www.xenserv.com Your High Performance Hosting Specialists - Try the Xen Experience Today!
    http://uploadpla.net - My free Media hosting site.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Eta Carinae
    Posts
    2,672
    Quote Originally Posted by MDConline View Post

    I need a host with an easy to setup website templates so that I can maintain them myself fairly easily.
    do you mean a site builder? you should think about getting a template elsewhere and customizing it - sitebuilders are good but generally the things you are allowed to do are very limited.

    And if you use a third party processor like paypal, you won't have to worry about SSL because paypal already provides secure payment.

    Other than that, a small shared host would do - you don't seem to need too much space or bandwidth so make sure you don't go with "unlimited" space and bandwidth offers - you will only be overpaying for things you won't need and the host can't provide.

    Good luck to you.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Austin, Texas, USA
    Posts
    255
    You can use dreamweaver to make your site. And check the offers section for hosting.
    VPSforMe.com - OpenVZ Virtualization with SolusVM Control Panel on High Quality Servers.
    VPSforMe.com - Inexpensive VPSs with great features.
    VPSforMe.com - 24/7 Ticket Support with FAST Replies
    VPSforMe.com - CEO Jackson H - Jackson@vpsforme.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Vancouver
    Posts
    973
    Quote Originally Posted by MDConline View Post
    Hello,

    I am looking to set up a simple website and need a host. My website will be mainly text with a few pictures and I will be selling some ebooks that I have created and since this is my first time ever creating a website, I have no idea where to start looking.

    My website will require some kind of tool to take email addresses and possibly auto-respond and I will also need to have a way to take credit card payments for my ebooks and have the customers automatically transferred to a seperate page on my website where they can download the ebooks once their card is approved.

    I need a host with an easy to setup website templates so that I can maintain them myself fairly easily.

    Thanks, I look forward to any and all suggestions.
    If it is your first time creating a website, then definitely look for a host that has a site builder included. RvSiteBuilder pro is a common and a very good one. Everything else will be met by virtually every host, so you have a lot of options, though remember the really really cheap ones may end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

  8. #8
    I would recommend shared hosting with a shopping cart script like opencart or oscommerce. If it is your first time making I would recommend hiring someone to set it all up for you or go with a e-commerce package from one of the major hosts like 1and1 or shopify (however I don't know if they allow downloadable products). If you have a lot of money to spare you could even get someone to code you a custom website.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    375
    you might want to share a bit more details to want you would require. But you could always try checking the offer section forum. =)

Similar Threads

  1. newb needs some advice on hosting
    By wheeze in forum Web Hosting
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-18-2007, 07:32 PM
  2. newb question on hosting but please help
    By ss2miraitrunks in forum Web Hosting
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11-15-2005, 01:23 PM
  3. NewB Web Hosting Questions
    By CyberSoldier in forum Web Hosting
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-08-2004, 05:57 AM
  4. newb.us newb.biz ****linux.com fragline.net
    By Jake Weg in forum Domain Name Appraisals
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-25-2003, 04:04 PM
  5. newb.biz and newb.us 4 sale
    By Jake Weg in forum Other Offers & Requests
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-04-2003, 11:48 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •