Free or cheap website and domain advice please?

[Dollychris]

Any advice on obtaining a website and domain at a reasonable cost please?

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Almost every UK ISP offers you loads of free webspace. Take a look at your ISP's website for information as to how to use it.

The only problem with using your ISP to host your website is that you'll have an 'amateurish' URL, like www.myisp.co.uk/users/d/dollychris. To get round that you simply need to purchase a domain name. (Strictly, you don't really 'buy' a domain name, since you have to renew it every 2 years, so it's more like 'renting' the domain name).

.co.uk domains are generally a lot cheaper than .com ones.
When you purchase the domain name, you'll be asked where the site will actually be hosted. So, for example, people who type in 'www.dollychris.co.uk' will see the pages you've actually uploaded to 'www.myisp.co.uk/users/d/dollychris'.

Most companies selling domain names will offer additional services. If you don't want people to see your 'real' URL (''www.myisp.co.uk/users/d/dollychris') in their address bar when they access your chosen URL ('www.dollychris.co.uk'), you should ensure that you pay the small supplement for 'address masking'.

[Buenchico]

Also, if you want to use your domain name for email purposes (e.g. [email protected]) you need to ensure that you've paid for an appropriate service. 'Mail forwarding' will enable you to put '[email protected]' on your website but the mail will simply be redirected to your personal mail account. (You won't be able to send mail that shows your address as '[email protected]'. Any replies you send will show your personal email address). It would probably be better to pay for a full email service. (Alternatively you could simply just use a GMail or Gawab address and avoid paying any costs at all for email provision).

Google 'uk domain names' to see what's on offer.

Of course, you'll also need to design your website. Serif WebPlus SE (free) is useful, but it only gives you 10 web page. WebPlus 10 (�9.99) offers far greater flexibility:
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/WebP lus/default.asp

Chris

[Dollychris]

Hi Buenchico,

Thank you so much for your prompt and informative reply which is very much appreciated. I'm with AOL and did have a rather 'amateurish' URL with an @hometown but served its' purpose until AOL ceased the service. I'm very grateful for the advice. I don't need anything elaborate just a website to promote our dogs. My daugher also ran an anti-bullying charity website from Hometown so will pass information to her to get it up and running again.
Best wishes Chris,
Chris.