How to Host a Web Server and Register a Domain Name
Hosting a website and registering a domain name are two critical things needed in order to have your own website. You can do both through the same company with one order, or you can do them separately to help keep more control over your assets in the future.
Registering your domain name and setting up a website hosting account separately allows you to change website hosting providers in the future without having to lose control of your domain name. Domain names, like real estate, can be valuable assets over time. By keeping your domain name registration separate, you maintain control over where the domain name is pointed, when the registration is renewed and to whom it is registered.
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Instructions
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Research domain name registration companies online. While price may be important, there are other factors you should consider when choosing your domain name registrar. The primary feature you want to find is the ability to fully control your domain name through an online management area.
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Once you've chosen your preferred domain name registrar, create an account so that you can log in and register a domain. Accounts are usually free, and domain name registrations are typically paid on an annual basis when you order them.
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Log into your domain name registration account and search for a domain name you like. This may take some time and creativity because many good domains are already registered. Once you find an available domain you like, pay for one year or more of registration.
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Research website hosting companies online and compare prices versus services. For example, some hosting companies will host your domain name and provide you with one email address for a set monthly price while others will allow you hundreds of email addresses for the same price.
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Go to the order form of the website hosting company site that you've chosen and set up an account there. When the setup process asks if they should register a domain name for you or if you already have one, note that you already have one and enter it as prompted.
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Take note of the DNS (Domain Name System/Service) information given to you by the website hosting company.
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Log back into your domain name registrar account and update the domain with your new DNS information so the domain can resolve to your new website server account. This connects the domain name to the web hosting account so that the pages from your web server will show properly when visitors type your domain name into their browser.
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Tips & Warnings
Both the domain name registrar and the website hosting company will send you email confirmations of your orders and your account login information. The website hosting company usually has your account set up within minutes and the domain name should be accessible in your website browser in less than 24 hours.
