Web hosting
All web hosting companies are not created equal...
When your website is ready for publication you must upload all your files to a server, and that's why you need a web hosting provider.
The web hosting provider you choose can be located anywhere; it does not matter if your web host is located in another country (or even on another continent!).
Free hosting
It's easy to find free web hosting, just go to sites like Bravenet, but you should note that most free hosting providers place their own ads on your site.
If you don't mind losing control of the content displayed on your site the free option is a possibility, but you should never choose free hosting if you intend to operate a business site.
Professional ad-free hosting
Paid-for hosting need not be expensive; you can easily find providers what will host your site for around $8-10/month or $100-120 a year.
Try to avoid companies that charge a set-up fee, as this is an unnecessary expense.
The real trick is to find a host with good customer service and short response time when you encounter a problem.
Some hosting providers will let you host many sites for the same low yearly fee, so if you plan to operate more than one site you should choose one of these.
Based on personal experience we have three favorite hosting providers, and if you sign up with one of them you will be in good hands.
Runbox
It's hard to beat the offer from Runbox.
You get professional web hosting and premium email service for $49.95/year.
No set-up fee, 30 days try-before-you-buy, and 60 days money-back guarantee after you sign up.
You can host several sites for the same low price.
They have a very friendly and fast customer service support system.
We have used Runbox for years, and recommend them without hesitation.
Hostgator
If you choose Hostgator as your host you pay $9.95/month, or 8.95/month on a 2-year contract. No set-up fee.
You can host many sites, and they have an excellent support system. Hostgator have a 30-days money back guarantee if you change your mind.
Dreamhost
Host as many sites as you like, pay $9.95/month on a 1-year contract or $8.95/month on a 2-year contract.
No set-up fee, good support system and 97 days money-back guarantee if you're unhappy.
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When you have signed up for web hosting you will receive a "Welcome-to-us" email with information about your new hosting account, including the all-important domain name server addresses.
Be sure to print out this page, or make notes of all the relevant information.
The "Welcome-to-us" email contains username and password to access your account, and also information about the domain name servers (DNS) they use.
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Your next step is to change the DNS.