Setting up a website can be a complicated undertaking, especially if you haven’t ever created your own website before.  The first thing you will need to will be to find a reliable and affordable web hosting service.  There are a lot of different web hosts out there, how do you choose which one is right for you?

If this is your very first website, you should look for a web hosting service that also sells domain names.  This way you won’t have to worry about the technical procedures of making sure that typing in your domain name actually sends people to your site.  The web host will take care of it for you!

For most beginners, shared web hosting is the best option.  This means that your website will be hosted on a single server with many other websites, but you will still have total control over the look, feel and content of your site. Shared hosting is cheaper and will allow you to build an audience for your website while you learn how to do all of the coding and technical stuff behind the scenes.

You will also want to look for a web host that comes with Fantastico.  Fantastico is an excellent application that installs a variety of website materials into your databases for you.  With Fantastico you can easily install website software with just the click of a button!

Having good customer support is a must-have for those who are in the “infant” stages of setting up web hosting.  Look for a service that has a phone number that you can call for support 24/7.  The last thing you want to do is wait for e-mails from tech support to help you figure out how to fix your website!

Web hosting is something that is best learned “on the go.”  As you work with it, you will learn which options you really need and which things you can do without.  Most website owners learn by doing, so don’t panic if you still feel a little bit like you’re feeling around in the dark, trying to learn the layout of the land!