"Web Hosting: What Sort of Sytem Do I Need to Host My Business Website"

There are thousands and thousands of companies touting for your business when it comes to web hosting (or "website hosting"). Basically, you have 3 options:

1. Hire someone to do the whole thing for you.
2. Use a service that will allow you to take control and do it yourself, but that will guide you and provide support when you need it.
3. Buy the different components that you need, and do it all yourself from scratch.

Let's look at these options one at a time:

1. Hire A Web Expert

If you do this, make sure that the person you choose is a marketing specialist - or that the company you go to has marketing specialists in its team. Remember, your website is primarily a marketing tool and not a work of art. Don't entrust your marketing solely to someone whose speciality is artistic design.

Also, make sure that you brief the person or company on exactly what you want them to do. If you're not sure, ask about the options. A good website creation specialist will discuss your requirements with you in some depth. Shy away from one who doesn't.

Also, make sure that your domain name is registered in your name. Remember, you might want to move your website at a later date. Always keep your options open.

2. Use A Web Hosting System

This is sometimes the simplest option for the small business.

The leading all-in-one web hosting system is Site Build It. This really is a one-stop shop for everything you need to build a fully functioning, profitable business website. There's a good explanation of what SBI offers compared to regular web hosting at the Site Build It Web Hosting page (a new window will open).

The one drawback is that you are more tied to the services within SBI - there's less flexibility to add in bits from other sources later on. But as long as you're aware of that, you can't beat it for comprehensiveness. And you won't need any other website creation software.

3. Use A "Modular" Web Hosting System

If you want to have more control over the site you're building, you might prefer to choose what is known as "CPanel Hosting". This is a system used by many web hosting companies worldwide. It gives your hosting account a user-friendly interface so that the features you want are easy to use.

The web hosting company we recommend for international websites is Hostgator (they host this website). If you only want to target visitors from your own country, it can be an advantage to use a hosting service based in your country. The hosting service we recommend for the UK is Web Hosting UK. Both offer CPanel Hosting.

A "shared hosting" account will probably be sufficient to begin with - especially as many hosts now allow you to host multiple domains on one account. (If you know you're going to want to host a lot of domains, consider choosing "reseller hosting", so that each domain will have its own control panel). Later on, you might want to upgrade to "dedicated hosting", which means your website will have a server all to itself.

So, we've got our domain(s) registered, and we've got our hosting account set up. Now let's look at:

Creating our Website.