< Three things you need to build a site :
My first website was not good at all. I used a very limited "layout editor" as part of a free web host. I didn't have to pay anything to put my site online, in exchange for putting up with a few advertisements.That was in early 1999. Over 8 years later, there are still places on the web that let you "build your own website for free".
Want to have a play and see what you can do? Go ahead!
Want to build a site that is taken seriously? Get out your wallet.
Three things = three payments?
Previously, I explained the three things you need to build a site. When it comes to paying for these things, here's how it usually works.Buying a domain name
At GoDaddy (the site I recommend for buying domain names), most of the quotes displayed are for 1 year. When you make a purchase, the site will ask you to buy for 2 years, so the price will go up. I think you can change this, but it's best to stick with 2 years at the very least.Search engines seem to favour domains with expiry dates a long way in the future - if your domain expires within a few months, you should renew as soon as possible.
Buying web hosting
At HostGator (the site I recommend for buying web hosting), you're almost certainly looking for Shared Hosting. The prices are per month, although you can get discounts if you pay for a number of years in advance.Unlike some services that offer both free and paid options, paying for web hosting is something you can't stop doing when you feel like it. Although I consider web hosting to be very reasonably priced, you may feel differently if you're on a tight budget. Shop around if you wish, but make sure you search Google for reviews of the web host you choose - it can save a lot of trauma.
Software
You can get free software or paid software. There are pros and cons with each. For instance you may prefer to go with open source software as it's often maintained by a large community of developers and of course, it doesn't cost you anything. Or you may prefer to pay for software, as a price tag may lead to a higher quality product. Perhaps you get premium support with it as well.Be sure to give your system of choice a trial run before committing to it, whether it's free or not. Ideally you want as much mileage out of the system as possible. Both free and paid software requires you to spend time learning it, customising it, using it, and giving feedback on it. You need to make sure the system you choose is right for you or you'll just be wasting your time (and money, if you pay for it).
In terms of payment options, it varies from one system to the next. Some systems require a one-time payment; some ask for a one-time payment but ask you for a small annual fee so you can download new versions in the future; some ask for a flat fee that you pay every year, and so on. Read the vendor's website carefully to avoid any hidden costs.
Additional costs
Other than the time you put into your website, you may find several additional costs on top of the basic ones mentioned above - such as advertisements to get people to your site. Initially you're probably better off not buying these extra services because you should aim to establish your site first. Also, you'll find many free sites that will do a lot of promotion for you - such as adding your link to a blog directory. Entrecard is a good free network that new blogs can benefit from greatly.Tags: website costs, buying a domain name, buying web hosting, website software, free software, paid software, additional costs, advertising costs
Posted by Ben on February 28, 2008 21:46 / Edited: February 28, 2008 18:41