If you want to start your website, you will need to get it designed in a suitable manner. Once you have done this, get your domain name registered independently. The next step in the establishment of an online presence is looking for a web hosting provider to get your site up and running.
Your web host will provide various features in the web hosting package along with details regarding path to directories for uploading of information, password for logging into your website account and domain name server addresses.
Each web server has a separate IP address which is linked with the domain name through a DNS server. In dedicated server hosting, your website will have a unique IP address. However, most of the websites are housed on shared servers and each website on a single server has the same IP address.
If you register the domain name independently, it will point towards the DNS servers of the chosen registrar. You will be able to get your website opened on your browser until you have an account set up with a web hosting service. There should be no time gap between the domain registration and buying of web hosting plan.
To make your website active, follow these steps….
#1: Change the DNS servers on file with your domain registrar to the ones provided by the web hosting company. This information is included in the hosting account. Otherwise, you will have to ask our web host to supply the necessary details.
#2: Once this information has been obtained, you should change the file settings to new domain addresses from the ones with your registrar. The web hosting company may do such updating automatically if the domain name is included in your web hosting package. Your website becomes accessible on the Internet within 48 hours of registration of DNS servers.
#3: The next step is uploading of content in your website. This can be done through the FTP software that allows you to transfer data files from one computer to another. The files are uploaded to a folder in the root directory of your website, from where your website files become accessible to the users on the Internet.
There are two ways of transferring files with FTP. These are:
• ASCII mode
• Binary mode
The content of your files will determine the method to be used for transfer of files. You may have to mention it manually or it may be automatically selected by your FTP software. While HTML, PHP, ASP, TXT files should be sent as ASCII, graphics and media files should be sent in binary form.
#4: You can give any name to most of the web pages in your website. However, the main page or home page should be named index.html. This will notify the web server that this file has to be displayed by default.
#5: Other than FTP, there are other ways of uploading your web pages. For example, Microsoft FrontPage is a web page creation program that can be used to upload your site too without separate FTP software.
#6: Some web hosting packages include online site builders that allow you to design your website within your web browser. These pages are automatically saved to the suitable location on the web server. Usually, these design tools are available in your control panel.
A good web hosting plan will help you in getting your website online with the minimum possible effort and shortest time. Hopefully, the above mentioned tips will make it simpler to establish an effective online presence.
