What are the steps for setting up a website? How can I save money at e

[lalluji]

Hello all I'm a newbie in this thing. I have been looking into this for sometime now and it got me interested. I have done some home work myself. I think I need a domain registrar, hosting and website builder. Please tell me if there is something else I need to do.
1. Domain name and registrar. Can this be done for free? Please name best paid and free ones to the best of your knowledge.
2. Web hosting service. Can this be done for free? Please name best paid and free ones to the best of your knowledge.
3. Website Builder. Can this be done for free? Please name best paid and free ones to the best of your knowledge.
4. Why might I need to change my registrar at any time? Can this be done for free?
5. Why might I need to change my hosting service? Can this be done for free?.
6. What is self-hosting? How much it costs?
7. Why might I need to change website builder? Can this be done for free?
8. What is CMS?
9. Domain Transfer/Selling: Can this be done for free? How?
10. Is there some software I need for a website? I see so many websites and forums that are just copies, do they use some opensource software or code that is all pre-made and ready to be uploaded to website?

Thank You

[not2easy]

Domain names are not free, however, many hosting packages include a domain name with a year of hosting services. You can buy your own domain and host anywhere, it does not need to be all from one place. The annual domain renewal fees need to be paid once a year to the registrar of your domain no matter where it is hosted. That is usually from $10 to $20 but there are cost differences, even between .com and .info for example. Hosting (basic, shared-server hosting) can be found for under $5 a month and often includes a site builder tool. Specific recommendations would be against the Charter of this forum: [webmasterworld.com...] you'll need to look around and compare what is out there.

You can change your domain registrar almost any time you like, some restrictions apply to transferred or renewed domains, some registrars make it easier than others, it is usually free to change registrars.

Using a sitebuilder will often restrict you to being unable to change to a different host. You might want to change to a different host if you are unhappy with the service they provide or want features they don't offer, or find a better host or - lots of reasons. Hosting your domain is not free, though there are sites that will give you some free space that they use to show advertisements with your content.

Self hosting is hosting done with your own equipment, but you would need to be prepared to do your own setup, configuration and maintenance, not a good place to try to start out.

CMS is "Content Management System" such as Blogger (free) or Worpdress (free for non commercial sites) and it is a good place to start your learning. Wordpress can be exported to your own domain and hosting after you learn all the ins and out of managing your site. There are lots of tutorial type sites to help you no matter which way you decide to start.

The one thing I would add which you did not ask about is that you should begin learning html and css so that you can know how to make your site the way you want it to be, even if you use a CMS - it doesn't need to be a cookie-cutter copy of what everyone else has.

I hope you like to read because before you get far you will need to read, read, read to learn and then read, read, read to keep up.

[piatkow]

1. You will only get a "free" domain if you take a contract for something else.
2. A "free" host will put their own ads on your site. You may also be locked in to using their own site builder making it difficult to move.
3. Free site builders are available. "Best" will depend on what your requirements are.
4. No
5. You can move to a new host without paying a premium but see (2) above.
6. Running your own hardware - if you need to ask then don't go that way
7. Some hosting services provide or force you to use their own site builders - see (2). If you are building the site on your PC then you should be able to switch between different editors without problem.
8. Content Management System - easier to non technicians to maintain their content but at the cost of some portability and flexibility.
9. No
10. The one thing that you have missed is some FTP software to upload your site to your web host. You can download templates into which you type your own content which will make your site look the same as any other one using the same template. Only a dedicated enthusiast builds their own forum, for commercial use there are a range of hosted and downloadable packages so most forums look similar in design.

Start with a pencil and paper and sketch out your initial design and decide what features you need, then look for software.

[lucy24]

Can this be done for free?

In each case: The mere act of changing should not involve a fee. But the new host/registrar/whatever will charge you from day 1, and the old host/registrar/whatever is not likely to give a prorated refund.

If you just want the experience of being online, check your ISP's fine print. Some services include a bit of free webspace. Typically you'll get a name like
members.example.com/yourname/
but not your own domain.

It may be more useful to start from the other end. Spell out exactly what you want to do, and then figure out what you need in order to do that. Are you looking at sharing pictures with family members? Creating an online presence for your existing physical business? Writing about stuff that strangers might want to read? Selling something unusual? Making quick money with a minimum of work?