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Website Hosting
Website Hosting
What You Need
  • An ISP (Internet Service Provider)
  • Web Space - Options
    • Free Space
    • Rented Space
    • Package Deal including a Domain Name
  • A Domain Name
    • UK Domain (.co.uk .uk.co .me.uk others)
    • International Domain (.com .net .biz others)
To put your site on the World Wide Web you need a host, someone who will give you space for your site and, preferably, also connect it to the internet. You also need a domain name. And, of course, you need an ISP so that you can maintain (and view) your website.


How do I arrange a Hosting Service?

There are dozens of hosting services who advertise in the PC magazines. Check them out. Be aware, however, that they do not all provide the same technical facilities which you may or may not understand. Particularly SSL (Secure Socket Layer, for security) and Credit Card processing links if you should need this. You can always transfer to a more sophisticated host later, but this could be a hassle and you may be required to pay a transfer fee. Some hosting services offer a variety of deals, starting at simple and escalating to very sophisticated, and allow you to start with a simple site and upgrade at a later date. Also, some hosting services offer a combined hosting and domain name deal which can work out cheaper than separate registration and hosting. Note, however, that some companies insist on a two-year deal - which you sometimes don't discover until you come to the final invoice stage. Try Compila to see what they can offer.


What we can do for you?

We can register your chosen domain (if it is still available and unrestricted) and arrange an ISP and hosting for your site for the cost of registration, hosting, and a small service charge. We can also search for your choice(s) of domain name or try to devise a suitable name ourselves, but this could take time and will incur a charge based on time spent.


Hosting Options

Lets look at some of the options available to you:

  • Free Web Space
    This is the cheapest option, and available from most ISPs such as FreeServe, AOL, Compuserve and a host (no pun intended!) of others. The downside is that free websites usually have the host's advertisements at the top, and your domain name will probably be of the form www.yourbusinessname.ISPname.com. If this doesn't matter to you, then a free website is for you and is easy to setup. This form of domain name, however, is recognisable as a free name which may not be good for your business image, and you should think about the www.yourbusinessname.domain option which does not cost very much.

  • Rented Web Space
    Here again there are hundreds, possibly thousands of companies who will sell you web space. Costs vary from a few pounds a month to hundreds of pounds, depending on a number of factors such as the amount of space required, whether or not you need particular facilities (scripting, secure servers, etc.), the amount of traffic (visitors and hits) you receive, guaranteed uptime (e.g.24x7) and so on.

  • Packages
    This is the most convenient option and includes web space, facilities, and frequently the domain name as well. There are different levels of packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum etc.) which provide more facilities at an increased cost. This option allows you to start with a basic package and upgrade it when your site takes off and the size of the site and traffic volumes grow, allowing you to pay more when the traffic merits it and when you wish to expand your site.
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