Creating Your Site
Here are some things to consider when creating your Web presence...
Do you really need a website? Maybe all you need is a Web space for displaying photographs and communicating with people. If so, check out one or more of the many social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook orMySpace. Or you could create your own blog with sites such as Blogger or WordPress.
How about a free website? One way to create your own website for free and without having to register a domain name is through Google Sites. In addition, Website Magazine has listed these hosting companies that offer free hosting plans: Jimdo - Moonfruit - SnapPages - Yola - Weebly - Wix.
Do you need a custom-made website? If the services mentioned in steps 1 and 2 do not meet your needs, you most likely need a custom website. For this, you would probably pay a company or Web developer (such as myself) to create the website to your specifications.
Have you chosen a domain name for your site? The domain name gives your site a "location" or "address" on the Internet, such as clivesoden.com. Domain name registration fees are typically around $15 per year. If you have your Web developer register your domain name for you, make sure you have the password to the account.
Have you found a Web hosting company? Hosting fees
start around $6 per month for basic websites. If you have your Web
developer sign you up for hosting, make sure you have the password to
the account. If you wish, you can have your domain name registered with
the same company that hosts your website.
Creatine your website. Some Web hosting companies have
special Web editing programs, templates and content management systems
(CMS) to make it easier to create your website and make future updates
(fees for this type of hosting are usually more expensive). Or you may
prefer to have a custom website without being restricted to a template
and have future updates performed by your Web developer.