In this series of posts, I hope to
remove some of the mystery of getting a website up and running, as
well as explain some of the jargon associated with websites. I plan
to add a post in this series each week for the next few weeks. You
are welcome to comment with questions, observations, etc.
Often when working with clients that
are new to the whole website thing, we find that there is a lot of
confusion on what it takes to get a website up and running on the Web
– and even with clients that have worked with other developers in
the past, there is often confusion.
This post will (hopefully) clear up
what it takes to get a website up and running and viewable by the
public. (These steps can actually be completed in any order. But,
the order presented here is what is most often used).
First – purchasing the domain
name. The domain name is what people type in their
browser to get to your site... the .com thing (or .net or .org or
several others – we'll get into that in another post in this
series). You must purchase a domain name from a licensed registrar.
The cost is usually around $9 USD to $12 USD for one year. (This can
change greatly depending on the registrar you use. So, shop around).
People often think that once they've purchased the domain name, they
are ready to go – but they are not.
The domain name is only a name. It can
not 'hold' a website. The domain name is just a 'title' that will
later be used to tell computers where to go to view your actual
website.
Wait a minute, wait. a. minute. We've
already introduced a new term while trying to explain this one. What
is a 'registrar?'
A registrar is a business that is
licensed by the group that governs the Internet. They gather the
information needed to register a domain and maintain a database of
that information. That database is available to all other registrars
and the governing body. The information that is collected – the
domain name (obviously), the name and contact information of the
person registering the domain name, and the length of time you will
own the domain name. Some of the more common registrars are –
Network Solutions (one of the first and most expensive), GoDaddy.com
– you've probably seen their commercials (mid-level in terms of
cost), and NameCheap.com (one of the least expensive).
You do not get your domain name
forever. You must renew it – usually on an annual basis. But, you
may purchase it for multiple years as well.
Second – host (a.k.a. host
provider). When you hear developers talking about hosting,
they are referring to space on a server where a website is stored.
The host is the company that owns the server. And the hosting
fee is the cost of
renting the space on the server. The host can be the same as the
registrar. Both GoDaddy.com and NameCheap.com will host websites for
the domain names registered with them – for an additional fee.
Fees paid for hosting are usually paid on an annual basis, although
some hosts will allow for shorter lengths and most will allow for
longer. And the fees can vary greatly, so again, shop around. And
ask for explanations when they are more expensive – they may
include extra services.
Normally, your host will also provide
you with email addresses that use your domain name
(address@yourdomain.com). If you think you are going to have a lot
of email addresses, it's important to ask your host how many email
addresses you get for the cost of hosting and how much each
additional address will cost. Some providers will have limits, some
will not. (Note here that some registrars also offer email services.
If your host provider does not offer email services, this is an
option. But, I would recommend using your host providers service
when available. It makes everything easier for the setup of your
domain and service. This has to do with technical stuff that is
beyond the scope of this post).
Third – web
development. This is when all the pretty stuff that
people see and some behind the scenes stuff they don't see is
created. Here again, there are options. If your needs are simple,
you can create your own website using templates – often available
from your registrar. Also some host providers will offer template
programs you can use to set up your site. These programs will walk
you through the creation of your site in steps that are supposed to
be easy to understand – but often are not.
If you want a truly modern, interactive
site you should contract with a developer or development company. A
web developer will work with you to create a unique site (or at least
it should be unique... if he/she/they are just using a template, are
you really getting anything you couldn't do yourself)?
A good developer or company will
discuss your needs, the impression you would like to give, and your
target audience with you. A good developer will also help you to
understand all of the above info and more. He/She will help you
understand your responsibilities in the development process and
explain to you what they are doing as they work through your project.
When choosing a developer, it is good
to remember the old adage, “buyer be ware.” But, it's also
important to remember, you often “get what you pay for.” You
should ask to see the developer's portfolio and even ask for
recommendations. Do a little research – look at their Facebook
page, check Linked In for reviews, etc. While no company is going to
make every single customer happy, you should see overwhelming good
comments compared to bad before deciding to contract with a
developer.
Finally, your developer can be local –
someone you can meet with in person, someone on the other side of the
world, or someone somewhere in between. The internet and telephones
are global. There is no need to settle for someone you don't feel
comfortable with or who can't provide the service(s) you want.
And by the way, Freelance I.T.
Solutions offers all of the services mentioned here. ;-)
