Web Information from Whispering Hope Ranch Web Design, Affordable, Practical, Beautiful Webs

Web Site Info

Design, Web Hosting
and Domain Names

Putting together a web site involves several parts. If you're not doing the work yourself, you'll need a web site designer to create the pages. But where are you going to put them? That's where Web Hosting and Domain Names enter the picture.

A Domain Name is like the site's address. Network Solutions typically registers names like www.yourname.com, www.yourname.net and www.yourname.org.

You also have to decide where to store your files. That is called Web Site Hosting. Domain Registration and Web Site Hosting fees are separate from your web design costs. However, your web designer can help you make these decisions.

Steps for Creating
Your Web Site

The following are steps for starting your web site:

Step 1: Choose a Web Designer

When choosing a web designer, select one with experience and proven track record. A good web designer can help guide you through the steps of getting your web site registered and up and running, and help with submitting your site to the search engines. Find out the costs of the initial design and maintenance. Find out if any free maintenance comes with the site. (We offer one month of free maintenance. Maintenance packages are also available.)

Maybe you're doing your own web page. That's great. You still need to decide what program to use, and you'll need to study other web sites to see what you like in terms of content, graphics, layout, fonts, margins and backgrounds.

Step 2: Choose a Name

If you want your name with a ".COM" after it (like www.yourname.com) , you'll need to register your domain name. The cost for that is $70 for the first two years. Your web designer can help you choose and register a domain name.

Your other option is to find a hosting company and have a directory under their name. For instance, "www.zianet.com/your name". The hosting company may charge a monthly fee. Free hosting is available from some companies that advertise on your site. If you don't want your own domain name, skip this step and see Step 3.

Having a domain name is like having your own house on the Internet. Setting up a sub-domain is like having an apartment in a community building. The free parking sites are like a room at the Y. It's all a matter of your budget.

NOTE: For some people, this choice seems confusing. Email your web designer for help in deciding. This decision may come down to a matter of your budget. If you can afford the costs, go for setting up your own domain (up to $200 right now). If you need to keep costs down now, but can afford $20 to $30 monthly, set up a sub-domain. If you need a web site and don't mind advertising on your site, choose one of the free sites.

When you choose your name, pick something that's easy to spell and describes your business or identifies you.

Step 3: Choose a Web Host

The web host is the company that stores your files.

Even if you purchase your own domain name, you still need a place to keep your files.

Usually, there is a monthly fee for this ($10 to $30), and if you have your own domain name, a setup fee ($20 to $40).

Fees vary from company to company depending on services provided. If you didn't get your own domain name, the hosting fees usually are a bit more.

Again, the hosting fees are separate from your web design costs, but your web designer can help you find a good deal with a reliable web hosting company.

Although these choices may seem confusing, your budget will guide you.

Let your web designer know whether you prefer to save money by buying up front or keep initial costs lower with monthly fees.

Web Hosting and Design Industry Info

Step 4: Pages and Pictures

At this point, your designer will help you decide on the site theme, color scheme, buttons, background, number of pages and can even help you with writing or editing the content. Tell the designer what you want. Organize your information. Gather the best pictures you can find that tell the story of your horses, ranch or business. (Don't skimp on these. Good pictures can make or break a web site.) Email or snail mail the pictures to Whispering Hope Ranch. Send any text you have to go with the pages.

Relax and soon you'll be ready to admire your new web site!

At Whispering Hope Ranch Web Designs, we help you through these steps and remove most of the confusion. Email us for more information, or check out our prices!