Domain Name, Hosts, etc

1. A domain name

A domain name is the address of your website. For example – http://firstnamelastname.com If you haven’t already, you will need to register your domain. Often you can do this more simply through your Hosting Provider

2. A hosting provider

Your hosting provider hosts the files that make up your website on a server. A server is a computer runs 24/7 so your website is always available to visitors requesting the files. Most hosts offer more bandwidth (the amount of information transferred between your server and the visitors) and storage space for files than you will ever need. In this case, more is not necessarily better. Service and reliability are what count. (Also, know that almost everyone complains about something regarding their host.)

Some hosts to consider:

• Dreamhost– While reluctant to make any endorsements, we recommend Dreamhost mainly because of their features and ease of use for beginners.
  • automated installs of free and open source software like WordPress
  • automated regular backups that make it easy to revert if you make a mistake. (i.e. “please make my site like it was yesterday!”)
  • unlimited domains and databases – you can host as many sites as you like.

  They’re also “carbon neutral.” These and the other services Dreamhost offers for the price we humbly believe make it a good value. You can also register your domain through Dreamhost.

  If you choose Dreamhost and want to help us out: Use the promo code WPFOLIO22 to get a free lifetime domain registration plus $22 off your first year of hosting. If you don’t need the domain use WPFOLIO32 and get $32 off your first year of hosting. Full disclosure, we also get a small referral fee that helps support development of WPFolio if you use this code, and we swear that hasn’t influenced our recommendation. Seriously.

• GreenGeeks is in many comparable to what Dreamhost and Bluehost offer, but what differentiates them is they are 300% wind powered (enough power for their servers and then some).
  Note: we also get a small referral fee if you use the link above.
• The Present Group has teamed up with The Collective Foundation to offer hosting for artists and use the profits to give artists grants. 25% of the hosting fees they collect go toward artists grants juried by the users. They offer automated installs of WordPress with WPFolio or Indexhibit.
• Bluehost, MediaTemple, and GreenGeeks also offer similar features as Dreamhost at a similar price and may be worth considering. But note: Bluehost recently made some bad moves in regards to freedom of speech and satire. Shame shame!
  Note: we also get a small referral fee if you use the link above.
• If you’re considering other hosts, use caution. Make sure they meet requirements for software you may want to use and check if they have installing and updating utilities for keeping installed software up to date easily. Can you host multiple domains? Multiple databases? Automated backups? Make sure the user interface is easy to use. (for example, GoDaddy‘s user interface is, arguably, terrible. Not to mention those dumb, sexist commercials…)

3. WordPress!

• WordPress Version 3.0 and up. WordPress is a free program that runs on your server, therefore WordPress is not like an application on your computer. You use WordPress online through your web browser. If you use a host that offers “one-click” installations of WordPress, you don’t need to download it. The One-Click install offered by your host and the WordPress “famous 5 minute install” get you the same result.

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