What is web hosting and why do I need it? Well if you have a website, then most likely will need a web hosting account. Why? A website is essentially a bunch of files. To get these files (your website) viewable to everyone, you must store them somewhere on the internet. And that’s what web hosting does. Essentially web hosting is a service that allows you to store files (your website) on a server and make it viewable for anyone on the internet.
Domain Names
What is a domain name? Essentially, a domain name is a easy to understand naming system that points to your web hosting server. For example, if you were to type in www.microsoft.com in your browser, it would direct you to Microsoft’s website. A domain name is separate from hosting. However, it can often be bought at the same time with your web hosting company. You can also buy a domain name from a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy or Domain Cheapsters. Once you buy the domain name, you will need to log in to your account and change the name servers to point your domain to your web hosting account. This is basically tells your domain name that it should be associated with your web hosting account.
FTP – File Transfer Protocol
Now that you have a web hosting account, you will need to upload your website to it. Remember, your website is a bunch of files that were created on your web designers computer. If your web designer just handed these files over to you, you will need to upload them to your web hosting server. To do this, you will need to FTP them. FTP is simply a method of uploading files to a server. Many web hosting accounts provide some form or method to upload files from your computer to the server, but this way is usually not always the best. Its simpler and easier just to download a free FTP program, such as FileZilla. After you download and install your FTP program, you will need to enter your FTP information so you can connect to your web hosting server. This FTP information can usually be found somewhere in your web hosting account control panel. Once you enter the information, your FTP program can connect to your web hosting server, and you finally upload the files (your website) to the server where it will be visible to everyone with an internet connection.
Domain Names
What is a domain name? Essentially, a domain name is a easy to understand naming system that points to your web hosting server. For example, if you were to type in www.microsoft.com in your browser, it would direct you to Microsoft’s website. A domain name is separate from hosting. However, it can often be bought at the same time with your web hosting company. You can also buy a domain name from a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy or Domain Cheapsters. Once you buy the domain name, you will need to log in to your account and change the name servers to point your domain to your web hosting account. This is basically tells your domain name that it should be associated with your web hosting account.
FTP – File Transfer Protocol
Now that you have a web hosting account, you will need to upload your website to it. Remember, your website is a bunch of files that were created on your web designers computer. If your web designer just handed these files over to you, you will need to upload them to your web hosting server. To do this, you will need to FTP them. FTP is simply a method of uploading files to a server. Many web hosting accounts provide some form or method to upload files from your computer to the server, but this way is usually not always the best. Its simpler and easier just to download a free FTP program, such as FileZilla. After you download and install your FTP program, you will need to enter your FTP information so you can connect to your web hosting server. This FTP information can usually be found somewhere in your web hosting account control panel. Once you enter the information, your FTP program can connect to your web hosting server, and you finally upload the files (your website) to the server where it will be visible to everyone with an internet connection.
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