Hello there all you tech-sperts!

I'm setting up a website, but I know absolutely nothing about it I can get free webspace from Virgin as I'm a customer, but I assume this will be a 'virgin' type address, which isn't always ideal. I'd like to know what costs are actually involved in buying a domain name and hosting it. I have a friend who is sorting out the design etc, so that's not an issue, I just wondered what initial and yearly costs are involved and whether there are different places to buy these services?

and help is appreciated

check out

www.webeden.com

http://www.1and1.co.uk/

www.123-reg.co.uk

http://www.fasthosts.co.uk/

I used 1&1 a few years ago and found the process simple.

I think the domain name itself is quite cheap from what I recall, I think my old domain was about £1.99 a year.

When you own your domain you can setup Web Forwarding from your Domain to your Virgin address. This is what we do with SWMBO's website as we host it away from the company we bought the domain from.

Fee's are usually quite cheap, depending on your name and what services you go for. Some companies also include a few email addresses and pop mail accounts for free as part of the domain purchase which can be handy. I've used UK2.NET for over 10years and most of my old customers also used them for their domain registrations and I've only had 1 problem in all that time which was resolved quickly.

Matthew

I got my domain name off www.daily.co.uk it costs about £7 for two years and website costs about £50 a year to host. I also got a domain name for my photography forum and this is also £7 every two years, both include email accounts too.

www.shutterchat.co.uk and www.ucaptured.co.uk quite easy when you get on and have a go

Thanks guys - matt, the thing you were saying about buying one but still using virgin - does that save the hosting fees? Would you mind explaining it to me?

Bear in mind that your Virgin hosting will probably not allow anything in the way of anything approaching advanced features.

What are you attempting? (message me on Facebook if you want to chat about it!)

It is always a good idea to buy the domain name and hosting from different people in case things go the shape of a well known fruit.

Thanks guys - matt, the thing you were saying about buying one but still using virgin - does that save the hosting fees? Would you mind explaining it to me?

My wife has just setup a basic website for her Childminding. She bought busybunnies.com domain and we use the free web diversion to re-direct any requests for www.busybunnies.com to ( http://www.theforce.me.uk/busy-bunnies/index.htm) where we host the website (which would be your virgin www address).

With regard saving hosting fees, so long as Virgin offer you free web space then 'yes' it will save you your hosting fees , one thing to be aware of, UK2 will allow free webdiversion but they will put an advertising banner on any page that is displayed, however for a small fee that can be removed (still cheaper than web hosting)

Hope this helps

Matthew

I use openminddomains.co.uk or simplynames.co.uk. I am also a webhost so if you find your virgin space isnt quite right for some reason feel free to drop me a pm.

If I use the virgin thing, am I able to use an address without virgin in the title? If I'm understanding what Matt is saying, you get a 'virgin' address, but give out your own domain name, then use another service who direct your own domain to the virgin one, is this correct?

Chris - I'd be interested in hearing how your web hosting works and prices if that's ok? My pm's don't work as they are way past full! But I'm on Facebook -Lorraine Bullar, or email is lorraine_bullar at hotmail dot com

Babs ill be in touch on fb with you too!

If I use the virgin thing, am I able to use an address without virgin in the title? If I'm understanding what Matt is saying, you get a 'virgin' address, but give out your own domain name, then use another service who direct your own domain to the virgin one, is this correct?

That is absolutely correct everything will appear to the person viewing the website as your domain not the virgin address