Step One – Register a Domain Name
Whether you plan on writing a blog, creating a company website, or just need some personal space to call your own, selecting and securing a memorable domain name is the first step in building a solid web presence.
Even if your need for a domain name is not immediate, it might be a good idea to register a name now so it will be available to you in the future. Most people prefer the .COM extension, and as time goes on, more of those domain names are registered, which will leave you with fewer choices.
Occasionally, new top-level extensions are created, which opens up more opportunities for all the Bill Smith’s of the world. Recently, the top-level, two-letter country-code domain extension .ME, was created for the government of Montenegro. While I am not even sure where the country of Montenegro is located, the extension has certainly become popular as a unique personal identity on the web.
If you are willing to take the less traditional route, there are other options. Just a quick look at the root zone database at the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) website shows there are now over twenty generic top-level domains such as “.NET” along with over two-hundred two-letter country codes such as “.AC” and “.CO.”‘
PrimaryServer offers ten of the most popular domain extensions. Start your domain search now…
Step Two – Choose a Hosting Plan
Every website needs hosting. The complexity of your website is what determines the type of hosting that is required. The most basic web hosting offers file hosting with the ability to upload files to the server via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or browser-based file transfer client.
The typical hosting plan is Linux-based and configured as a LAMP stack, which offers the Linux operating system, Apache web server, MySQL database, and PHP/Perl/Python preprocessor. Windows platforms are also available as an option for users that need classic ASP or ASP .Net.
The page you are reading right now was served reliably from a simple, economical Linux-based hosting plan. While some elements of this page were served from a Content Delivery Network (CDN), the cost to serve this site (including the optional CDN) would still be less than thirty-five cents per day.
In addition, most hosting plans can grow with you. That means you can start with a basic plan and add additional resources only when it becomes necessary. A wonderful problem to have.
View our hosting plans: Basic Hosting, Blog Hosting, Virtual Dedicated, Dedicated Server
Step Three – Build it!
The web is a great platform for success since it places everyone on the same level playing field. The standards and technologies of the web are in place for all to use. Nowhere else but on the web can a young entrepreneur compete head-to-head with a large corporation. Where a twenty-seven year old can become the 14th richest person in the world, or how a daylong brainstorming session could become a 300 million member SMS-based social network. The competition is strong, but there is still plenty of room between Apple and Zombo.