What is web hosting?

Web hosting is a service that enables you to place a website or files on the internet, for others to view. In addition to providing storage, known as webspace, web hosting typically incorporates a number of other services such as email.

Web hosting is provided by web hosts, like SupaNames, who operate special computers, known as servers, especially designed for the purpose of hosting websites and other content. In addition to operating servers web hosts also maintain large and permanent connections to the internet to ensure fast and uninterrupted access to your content.

In simple steps you create a website and then copy it to your SupaNames webspace, at which point it becomes possible for anyone connected to the internet to access and view it.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a website address (also known as a URL) that people type into the address bar of their browser in order to reach a website. As examples, supanames.com, microsoft.com and bbc.co.uk are all typical domain names. Domain names are also used for the sending and receiving of email.

Domain names are available with many different endings, or extensions, such as .co.uk, .me.uk, .org.uk, .com, .net, .org, .biz and .info. Domain names are rented by website owners and operators, typically for two years at a time, and are often provided in a bundle with web hosting services.

When you sign up with SupaNames we'll register your choice of domain name free of charge or, alternatively, you can bring a domain name with you if you already have one. Once you've chosen your domain it is linked automatically to your webspace (see above).

How do I create my website?

There are several different ways in which you can create a website.

Firstly, you can create a website yourself using website design software. Website design programs are very similar to Desktop Publishing programs, and feature familiar WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) screens to assist you in laying out your pages. It's possible to design a website with no coding knowledge in this way and we recommend a design program called NVU, available free. Other design programs include Frontpage, Dreamweaver and Webstudio.

Another alternative, if you're a bit concerned about starting a website from scratch, is to obtain a pre made website template and simply add your own content using a website design program (see above). The Open Source Web Design site is a collection of many free templates to give you a professional looking site in no time at all.

Thirdly, SupaNames provide a basic sitebuilder tool with many of our hosting packages. This tool enables people with no previous design experience to create and publish a simple 5 page website. There are over 30 different design styles to choose from and adding text and even images is easy using the one step design process, designed for those with no previous knowledge.

Lastly, if your website is for business, you might want to contact a professional website designer. A professional website designer will handle the entire design and build process for you and will normally charge a set fee for their services, agreed in advance. When looking for a designer we'd recommend The UK Web Design Association as a good starting point and we'd always advise obtaining several quotes from different designers, as well as a written contract, before going ahead with any work.

What type of web hosting do I need?

Essentially SupaNames provide three different "types" of web hosting which are Linux, Windows & VPS. Each type of hosting has its own set of advantages and capabilities but to keep things extremely simple we recommend the following:

If you specifically do not need to use ASP, ASP.NET, ODBC, Access databases or Frontpage extensions we recommend that you go for Linux based hosting. You don't need a Linux PC in order to use our Linux hosting and Linux provides a stable, secure and cost effective hosting service.

If you specifically do need to use ASP, ASP.NET, ODBC, Access databases or Frontpage extensions we recommend going for Windows based hosting on which these features are supported.

If your website is a vital part of your business or is extremely busy we recommend the power, security and stability of our VPS Servers hosting. VPS hosting provides you with more power, unlimited bandwidth and the access to install whatever you need..

Let us help you choose a package: Use our "package chooser" tool located here to tell us what you want to do with your webspace and we'll recommend the best hosting package for you.

Where can I get more help and advice?

We're used to dealing with both novice and experienced users, and our friendly team would be delighted to offer you free help and advice. Please contact us on this page.