In this section I will cover setting up hosting and a domain name for your website, as
well as explaining what they are!What is Hosting?
Hosting (also known as “web hosting”) is basically a computer that is left on 24/7
running your website or blog on it so that people can still visit your website – even
when your computer is switched off. Hosting is something you do require if your
going to run a website and will usually cost you around $5 a month (although later
on in this guide I will give you a coupon code to get your first months hosting for
only one penny!)
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is basically the title of your website or blog, with WWW. Before it
and .com after it – so for example, Googles domain name is www.google.com. A
domain name, once again is something you will require to run a website. A domain
name will usually cost you around $13, only you don't pay this once a month like
your hosting – you domain name is billed once a year.
In this guide we will be using a company called HostGator, for both our Hosting and
our Domain Name, below I will tell you why I have chosen this company.
Why Use HostGator?
Here are just a few reasons why I suggest using HostGator as your hosting provider
and why I continue to use them for all of my websites -
- 99.9% Uptime or more so your Website is always online
- 45-Day Money Back Guarantee in case you change your mind
- 1-click WordPress Installation
- Free Live Online Chat 24-hours a day, 7-days a week
- I can offer a coupon code that will get your first months hosting for one penny
Please Note – If you do decide to use another web hosting company for your
website, you may need to improvise a few steps of this guide as I am using
HostGator for the example.
Now, Let's Get Started!
The first things we will need to do to get our website up and running is set up our
“Web Hosting” and register our “Domain Name”, luckily we can do both of these
things at the same place......
www.HostGator.com
As an added bonus I have some money off coupons to give you!
LETSBUILDWP25 – Gets you 25% off your first months hosting!
LETSBUILDWP1 – Gets you your first months hosting for ONLY ONE PENNY!
Just add the coupon of your choice before checking out.
Don't worry, I'll tell you when!
1. So, just go to www.HostGator.com (or click this link).
2. Click in the middle where it says “View Web Hosting Plans”.
I suggest either the Hatchling plan or the Baby Plan, the Business Plan probably has a
whole load of added extras you will not require at this point. If your only going tohave one website go with the Hatchling Plan, if your going to have any more than
one website – go with the Baby Plan. The Baby Plan allows you UNLIMITED domains
(websites) to be hosted and doesn't cost much more than the Hatchling Plan!
you are happy with everything or else you can go all out and pay for 3 years upfront
and save some money – this is totally up to you!
5. Once you are happy with everything, click “Order Now”.
6. Now your on the next page, just enter the domain name you are wanting to
purchase into the top bar and then choose whether you want .com, .org etc from
the drop-down list to the right (this is set to .com by default).
Please Note – at the time of writing this HostGator do NOT offer .CO.UK domain
names, so if you do want a .CO.UK website – I suggest buying it from somewhere like
crazydomains.com
8. Create a user-name and security pin (we suggest writing these down).
9. Enter your billing information and choose whether you would like to pay by PayPal
or credit card.
10. Choose whether or not you want any of the “Hosting Addons”, we personally
don't think any of these are necessary but you can have a look and decide for
yourself (just un-check the boxes of any you do not want).
11. Enter the coupon code LETSBUILDWP25 and click “Validate” to get 25% OFF
your order or else LETSBUILDWP1 to get your first months hosting for one
penny!
12. Double check everything is correct in the “Order Details”.
(also note the 45 day money back guarantee!)
13. Check the box beside where it says “I have read and agree to the terms and
conditions of use” and then click “Create Account”.
The next topic you will see is a confirmation page. Print or write down your
confirmation number and close the page. You should also receive an email
confirming your purchase. This email contains important information for setting up
your site, so go ahead and open the email and we will move on to installing
WordPress.
0 comments:
Post a Comment