[edited by: Webwork at 5:48 pm (utc) on Nov. 8, 2005]
I suggest you look around. Make sure that the renewal fee is cheap. <snip>
The next thing you need after registering a domain name is a web host. You need to point the DNS from your registrar to your web host. Let's say your web host's name server are:
ns1.yourwebhost.com
ns2.yourwebhost.com
What you need to do is to login to your registrar's control panel and point your domain to the 2 DNS above. It will take a few hours to 3 days for your DNS to propagate. I once had 1 domain name that started working about 5 hours after registering the domain name.
Some web hosting companies are resellers for these registrars. So, if you registered the domain name with them you do not need to point your domain name as they will do it for you. It is not a difficult task.
You need a very good reliable web hosting company. Since you are familiar with programming I am sure you will know what kind of server you need. If you want to use ASP or ASP.Net then Windows server is what you need. But now you can also do ASP with Linux server by using Sun's Chilisoft ASP. But not many hosting company is offering that and if they do it is going to cost you a little bit more.
As for me, I am happy with Apache server, MySQL, CGI (Perl), and PHP (which to me is the best). So, the cheaper Red Hat Linux server is my choice.
Since you are new, I guess shared hosting with a disk space around 500MB to 1000 MB and 20GB bandwidth should be sufficient. If you are doing database programming, try to get hosting plan that comes with MySQL database. Preferably unlimited number of database with space that depends on your disk space instead of allocated number and size of database.
There are also hosting plan that allows you to host a few domain names. Shop around. After your site becoming popular you might want to try virtual dedicated server (VDS) which give you root access to the server and from VDS to the ultimate dedicated server.
Make sure that you get your own IP address for your domain name. Many cheap hosting companies do not offer this and that is why they are really cheap. But if you do not mind sharing same IP with others then go ahead.
After you "finished" constructing your site, you will definitely want it to be indexed by major search engines in order to receive traffic. You might want to advertise your site with Yahoo! or Google Adwords. After receiving many visitors, you might want to apply for Google Adsense which might help to pay for your monthly hosting bill.
Good luck with your web site!
[edited by: Webwork at 5:53 pm (utc) on Nov. 8, 2005]
Ex:
Security -
What is their reputation when it comes to security?
What is the security policy?
Does this registrar lose names due to theft domain hijackings , or unauthorized tranfers.
Under what circumstances must you "Unlock " your domains?
Who is responsible for keeping the names locked down, you or the registrar?
Service -
Do they answer the phone with a real live person or must you use an automated script?
Do they have an 800#?
Is the stafff knowledgable and couteous?
Are they consultative?
Management Tools:
Do they offer services for large porfolios?
or due you need a seperate username/password for every name?
Do they have the Extensions you need (.com, .net etc)?
DO they have a domain name suggestion tool/spinner?
Do they offer other services you could to save you time or make you money, like:
Hosting
email and URL forwarding
IP Management
For sale pages
Escrow Services
privacy
Traffic monetization
Reputation :
Google them?
See what the public has to say?
