How to Find a Web Host for a Personal Website

Now that you've made up your mind to create a personal website, it's time to find a web host for your site. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you sign up with a web hosting company.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide how much you want to spend. The price for hosting a website can range from free to several hundred dollars a year. If you want a personal website to keep friends and family up to date with what is going on in your life, a free subdomain will work just fine. However, if you're looking to make money and anticipate a large visitor base, spend the extra money for your own domain.
2. Choose the right operating system. Web hosting companies host sites using either Windows or Unix operating systems. Go with a company that offers the one that you are most comfortable with.
3. Check the web host's uptime guarantee. A website is useful only if the site is actually up and running. Look for a hosting company that offers a guarantee for 99.9 percent uptime. Don't just take them at their word. Speak to a few of their customers.
4. Look for a moneyback guarantee. A reputable hosting company offers a thirty- or sixty-day moneyback guaranty.
5. Read online reviews. For a truly honest review on a web hosting company, visit several webmaster forums. The forum participants not only give honest reviews, but they offer helpful advice on what to look for in a web hosting company.
6. Try blogging. If the thought of putting together a full-blown website overwhelms you, try a blog instead. Blogs are free and are easy to get up and running. Once you've mastered the blog world, you can create a personal website more easily.