Domain Names & Website Hosting

[EcclesCake]

I want to create a new website for my business and don't really know where to start.

My previous website was built for me and I was advised to use Claranet for the hosting (I hope I'm describing this properly!).

The web seems to be offering many conflicting top ten companies to use, can anyone help me with where I should begin?

TIA

[AB Editor]

Do you own the domain already?

What do you need the site to do?

I suggest trying a big company like 123-reg.co.uk, they do one-click installations of most basic CMS's.

[MarkRae]

Interesting that you mention 123-reg - in my experience, they are nothing but trouble and almost (but not quite) as bad as 1-and-1 or GoDaddy.

[ChuckFickens]

Nobody is as bad as godaddy!

I've used zen with no problems at all.

[EcclesCake]

I'm going for a new domain name so need to start from scratch.

I just want the site as a window for the service I provide (no sniggering please) and the ability to forward enquiry emails to me.

I have no need for any fancy pants stuff, just a home page, what I do, how to contact me.

Your final para starts off OK but completely loses me after 'one- click'....that is how basic my knowledge is!

[ChuckFickens]

In all honesty, if you have no experience and you are planning on using it for commercial reasons then you'll be far better of paying somebody to do it for you. A simple website won't cost much to sort out and you'll be guaranteed it will look like it's been done by a professional rather than a 12 year old and a professional looking site will attract more business than a amateur looking one.

[MarkRae]

Agree 100% with CF.

[EcclesCake]

I'm not overly concerned about the front end. I might not be the most techno-savvy but I do have very clear ideas about how I want it to look and have no particular concern about that aspect. Although it is for commercial purposes it will be used primarily as a contact page, with limited details about me and what I do.

My concerns is more to do with the back end stuff. Oh and how do you manipulate the metadata to get your key words recognised by Google to bump you up the page!

[Mosaic]

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1068243.html

This thread might help, ecclescake

[kgmrush]

Hi, I answered before but answer got removed as I think I made the mistake of putting my email address in it. I can sort a domain and website with hosting for you, it won't be expensive. I hope I'm not breaking any answerbank rules, but if you do want to contact me, you can do it at

Thanks

[funnygirl]

My son uses Go Daddy with no problems.

[MarkRae]

> I hope I'm not breaking any answerbank rules

Any sort of advertising, especially of yourself or your own services, is strictly against the Site Rules, so I'm afraid you are...

[rojash]

"Oh and how do you manipulate the metadata to get your key words recognised by Google to bump you up the page!"

Well if your site is going to consist of a single page, you can forget that altogether, unless what you are selling is so distinctive that your keywords are unique, and your potential customers are guaranteed to be searching for them.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks all.

My website will be a minimum of three pages and may stretch to 5-6 pages. I want to keep the information to the bare bones whilst giving enough for it to appear as a search result and to give assurance to my current clients that I am discreet and professional. It is such a fine line trying to decide how much info is 'enough'!!!

My profession isn't unique but it is a niche role. Unfortunately if you run a search you are at risk of finding a lot of senior school teachers rather than my more specialised career.

I'm off to investigate godaddy, 123, zen etc...

[ChuckFickens]

Noooooo!!!

Stay away from GoDaddy!

[MarkRae]

> I'm off to investigate godaddy

<sigh>

[EcclesCake]

I did say 'investigate' and I did mention other services.......

Actually, I'm not sure I want to type godaddy into a search engine!

[ilamaran]

I recommend http://www.thewebpole.com/ .Here i found both domain registration service and hosting plans.You can choose any of them.