In the last few posts I have discussed he first couple of things that you need for your website. You need a domain name and you need a server(hosting)  to store the files that you need for your website. The next thing you need to know how to do is …

FTP.

What is FTP?

FTP stands for file transfer protocol.

This is the way that you transfer the files that you need for your website from your computer to your server so that your website can be displayed when someone types your URL into their internet browser program (eg Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari).

The process of FTP is done using a special software program. These programs are called FTP programs or FTP software. If you type “FTP program” into the Google search box you will find over 9 million results so let me help you narrow it down a little. An FTP program must be easy to set up and easy to use. If it is inexpensive or free then that is an added bonus!

The program that I have found which is the best free FTP sofware is called Filezilla. When you go to Filezilla you will see a couple of options:

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If you need a little review then here is the post on how to register a domain name. Once you have a domain name you need hosting and you can get hosting here . If you need to watch a video about web hosting then here it is.

Ok now you are up to speed, I’m going talk about what to  do next so that your domain name is setup on your server. This is a little bit different depending on the level of hosting that you have.

Basic Hosting Package

If you bought a basic package,you are allowed to have as many domain names as you want under the one main domain name. This is a subdomain arrangement. If you purchased hostgator hosting it would be either a baby or a business account. Just login to your c-panel (the details will be in your welcome letter ) and navigate to the add-on domain area. Simply fill in the required fields and you have now connected your domain name to your hosting. Read more »

What is Hosting?

Hosting is where you buy space on a server (which is a big commercial computer storage space). You usually pay a monthly fee for your hosting service and the fees can vary a lot depending on the hosting company that you choose.
When you buy hosting you buy your very own space on a server. Your server is where you put all of your website files so that your website can load when someone enters your domain name into the browser bar of your internet program.

Hope I haven’t lost you there.

If you want a different analogy. Your domain name is essentially your address on the internet and your hosting is the land where you build your house. Your house is where you store all of your files that you need for your website (or blog)

Why do you need your own hosting?

It’s a matter of control.
There are many different website options out there and it’s really hard to figure out what the best web site hosting solution is for you. It really depends on your individual situation. As an internet marketing newbie, the easiest option would be to choose a package where domain name, hosting and website templates are all bundled together in the same package.In this scenario, setting up the website is extremely easy especially for the newbie because you don’t need to know anything about websites, hosting, ftp or html. All you have to do is choose a template, add your content and bingo you have a website.

The problem is that you have no control. You can’t customize the website template. You can’t choose your domain name. You have no idea which keywords have been used on the site. You cannot control the layout of the site. If the company you choose to design and host your website goes out of business or changes its terms and conditions then you may loose your entire business.

Yes, buying your own domain, organizing your own hosting and using ftp programs is harder, but you know exactly what you are doing and you have complete control. Once you have all of the information, you don’t necessarily have to do all of the work yourself.  It all comes down to what you have more of  – time or money? If you have more time then use it to learn how to do all of this stuff yourself in the beginning at least, anyway. If you have more money than time then you can pay someone else to set up your website for you but if you have the knowledge yourself you can ask for exactly what you want and need and you can check that the job is done properly at the end. (Paying someone else to do a job is called outsourcing).

When you own your own domain name and hosting no-one can take your business away from you.

Hosting Platform

Linux or Windows?

This does NOT refer to the operating system on your computer. It refers to the operating system of the server. Linux is better because if offers more features. It is the more commonly used server operating system and is supports mySQL databases. (You need this for a self-hosted wordpress blog) Read more »

Before we start with choosing products and keyword research and all the other things that will make you a successful internet marketer, it is extremely helpful to know some of the basic skills required to have your own website.

Don’t worry I’m not going down Geek St. I’m just going to teach you a few basic things about domain names, website hosting and FTP so that when you are ready to start marketing you have a fair idea of what to do next. This is where I would have liked to have started so that I didn’t end up in so many blind alleys.

What is a Domain Name?

A Domain Name is your address on the internet. It is also known as your URL. Basically it is the phrase that you type into the Internet browser to nativage to a particular website.

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