Curious about web hosting & domain names...

Right now I have several web sites that are maintained on free places (with very very long web addresses), but the popup ads are so many and so annoying lately that I've considered my own domain name.

So...

can someone explain to me in baby steps (since I know nothing about this) what the deal is? Also a good Christian web host & does that include the domain name & what fees can I expect to pay? Etc. IOW, I know nothing so would appreciate any advice in newbie simple language without technical terms, LOL. I don't know the difference between a gigabyte and megabyte, etc.

Questions:

What does a web host do?

Who puts your site on the server and what server?

How do you get your existing pages redirected to your new domain name?

What's the difference between a domain name and an IP address? (see I know some terms, but don't understand them, LOL)

Is there a fee you pay once, every month, annually, or what?

Can you copy your existing pages onto the domain and how do you get them there from your desktop?

Can someone explain how all this works, like how does it get from my computer to your computer in cyberspace, it is through satellite or what?

And how do you know if the company you are using is legitimate?

Are there Christian companies that do all these things?



Any advice, suggestions, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Whew!

If I answer your questions, am I breaking the board rule about advertising?? I currently host over 60 different Web sites on my server. I will try to answer your questions:

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
What does a web host do?

Click to expand...

I pay for the server, and do any needed software updates, fix any security holes and help clients who are hosted on my server.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Who puts your site on the server and what server?

Click to expand...

Most clients have full access to the server via FTP, cPanel, SSH and FrontPage, so they can put the site on the server if they know how. If they don't the hosting company should help them out.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
How do you get your existing pages redirected to your new domain name?

Click to expand...

When you register a domain with a registrar, you will update the nameservers for the domain to point to the hosting server.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
What's the difference between a domain name and an IP address? (see I know some terms, but don't understand them, LOL)

Click to expand...

The IP address is network address for the server, the domain points to the IP address.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Is there a fee you pay once, every month, annually, or what?

Click to expand...

Most hosting companies are monthly, the price varies from hosting company to hosting company. You get what you pay for!

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Can you copy your existing pages onto the domain and how do you get them there from your desktop?

Click to expand...

You would use any FTP client, cPanel File Manager or FrontPage.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Can someone explain how all this works, like how does it get from my computer to your computer in cyberspace, it is through satellite or what?

Click to expand...

When you upload through the Internet the files are moved from your computer through your ISP's network from computer to computer, untill they make it to the hosting server.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
And how do you know if the company you are using is legitimate?

Click to expand...

Call the, call their clients, see if they are registered to do business in the state they are operating in. If you are paying monthly, you can cancel at anytime, if you find you aren't happy with their services.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Are there Christian companies that do all these things?

Click to expand...

There are many Christian companies that host Web sites.

Originally posted by NetPublicist:
If I answer your questions, am I breaking the board rule about advertising??

I currently host over 60 different Web sites on my server. I will try to answer your questions:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by LadyEagle:
What does a web host do?

Click to expand...

I pay for the server, and do any needed software updates, fix any security holes and help clients who are hosted on my server, etc.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Who puts your site on the server and what server?

Click to expand...

Most clients have full access to the server via FTP, cPanel, SSH and FrontPage, so they can put the site on the server if they know how. If they don't the hosting company should help them out.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
How do you get your existing pages redirected to your new domain name?

Click to expand...

When you register a domain with a registrar, you will update the nameservers for the domain to point to the hosting server.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
What's the difference between a domain name and an IP address? (see I know some terms, but don't understand them, LOL)

Click to expand...

The IP address is network address for the server, the domain points to the IP address.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Is there a fee you pay once, every month, annually, or what?

Click to expand...

Most hosting companies are monthly, the price varies from hosting company to hosting company. You get what you pay for!

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Can you copy your existing pages onto the domain and how do you get them there from your desktop?

Click to expand...

You would use any FTP client, cPanel File Manager or FrontPage.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Can someone explain how all this works, like how does it get from my computer to your computer in cyberspace, it is through satellite or what?

Click to expand...

When you upload through the Internet the files are moved from your computer through your ISP's network from computer to computer, untill they make it to the hosting server.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
And how do you know if the company you are using is legitimate?

Click to expand...

Call the, call their clients, see if they are registered to do business in the state they are operating in. If you are paying monthly, you can cancel at anytime, if you find you aren't happy with their services.

Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Are there Christian companies that do all these things?

Click to expand...

There are many Christian companies that host Web sites. </font>[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the good info. I shall soon be checking out companies, including yours.

I use INTERLAND. It is not christian, but you do not get pop ups and there is no ads. Also the toold that come with it are VERY EASY to use. That is why I like them. No hotmail, or codes or any of that. A simple plan.
You must buy your domain name and renew it every year or so. I have had mine for 2 years and I have to renew now.

The set up fees for the whold kit and kaboodle was right around $80 give or take. The monthly fee is $29.99.

It takes a little exploring to figure some things out, I always find new things I can do and I have had my church website going for 2.5 yrs now.

I get the free clip art and backgrounds from the web and use that. I get the free midi files from the web. So there is nothing I really have to invest except the monthy fee and domain.

here is my site if you want to check it out
www.gospellightbaptistchurch.net

Domain names cheap. I had one with them and I was happy with them.

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=&se=%2B&from%5Fapp=&rhl=nv%5Fweb%5Flogo%5F%2Fdefault