Domain Name Registration
Once you have created your masterpiece it is time to register your domain name and upload it to a host. The cheapest .co.nz registration I have found has been at Expired Domains, they also allow you bid for expired domain names starting at NZ$25.
If it is a .com domain you are after, these are considerably cheaper. I personally register my domains with GoDaddy.com. I did used to register all my domains with another registrar until I realised that – you really do get what you pay for. I’m not going to start a hate campaign (even though I want to) but when it comes to support, GoDaddy.com are by far the best.
Website Hosting
I did used to host all my sites with GoDaddy.com as well, for the simple fact that when you register your domain and pay for a years hosting at US$3.95 per month (extremely reasonable), you get the domain for US$1.99. It is also very easy when you are just starting out to have all your domains with the same host. GoDaddy.com has a very easy to use interface and loads of great support, so is perfect for the beginner.
I now host all my sites with HostGator because they offer unlimited domains on their US$9.95 plan. As soon as you go over 3 sites this is by far your best bet. Their support is brilliant and I am finally happy after a few years of trial and error with domain registration and hosting.
You can find sites who will host your website completely free. Free hosts haven’t really had a good reputation as they usually plaster ads all over your site and uptime is severely compromised – something very important to an affiliate, especially if this is how you feed your family. I signed up to a bunch of them to check them out (for your benefit, basically =)
The best free host I have found is 110mb.com. I had heard good things about them (including 99.5% uptime) so I signed up. You can host your very own domain with absolutely no advertising except to you and on you error404 page. Testimonials there say they feel guilty using them because they should be paying for this service, but they’re not. I found their interface uncomplicated and their support fast and efficient. The only thing wrong with their service was the only allow you to host 3 domains free.
I found them to be the best free host no money could buy.
KiwiWebHost has budget hosting, they want you to pay for the year up front which is NZ$58.50, but that works out to $4.80 per month with phone and email support.
If you do wish to park your domain with a different host, you will need to go in to your account where your domain is registered and change the Domain Name Servers, or DNS to those of your host. First, ask your host what their DNS is, then you need to either enter it yourself at your domain or ring them and get their advice, don’t worry about asking your domain or your host to help you, that’s what support is there for.
Uploading your website
Now that you have your domain and host sorted, you are going to have to work out the easiest way to get your masterpiece online. Many hosts offer web based ftp (file transfer protocol) to upload your website to the internet so ask your host if this is available. I use SmartFTP, because it is really easy to use, and best of all it is free.
When you have it safely installed and open, call, email or live text chat your host and ask them what you need to enter into your ftp client to get yourself online. Once you have your connection info, drag your website into the htdocs folder and you’re away.
OK, website’s up, that’s it, right?
That would be very nice, but just like real life businesses you need to get the word out so that people know you have arrived, and for that you need a healthy dose of promotion.