Architectural Designs

Which hosting option works best for a fledgling website developer?

I had someone ask me to develop a website for his business (he wants to do it cheap). I tried to talk him out of it, because I'm inexperienced at doing business websites. It's a learning experience for me, so I agreed to do it for FREE! Here's the thing: I've developed websites before, but for organizations and churches, and personal use. Never for a business: different audience and set of requirements, and goals. What's the best hosting/domain-name solution for a commercial site? My preference is to do everything with one outfit: hosting, registration, and site building, like GoDaddy. But is that the best way? Is there any justification for using separate companies to handle the hosting, and registration, then I would create the site from scratch using NetObjects or FrontPage (which would require a great deal more design/build time). What's your advice? (aside from comments like "just hire a professional," etc.)

Public Comments

1. Well, I would look for a cheap (but reliable) hosting company. I found a deal at www.netfirms.com. I got webhosting + domain for a year for 10 dollars. (I thought it was a joke and called the company). Just enter the coupon code "MAX" and it will be 10 bucks! Not much of a risk there. I would just go ahead and registered the domain and the site through the same company. Why complicate the matter? But it sounds like your on the right track and are least asking questions.
2. You are right to be concerned. There is a difference in building a website for personal pleasure, etc., and building one for a business that needs to generate traffic and thus an income. I am by no means an expert, rather an amateur. That is why I went with the experts at SBI. Unfortunately, it isn't free, but it is VERY good value for money. It is $299 for the year, but it includes EVERYTHING way beyond just the simple hosting and domain name. They teach you step by step how to build a website that will actually be a business that draws traffic which is really what you need. If you seriously want to do this project for your friend (I commend you because it is a lot of work), I would suggest that you tell him/her that if they want it done right, they ought to pay for SBI and let you do it right for them. They will be glad in the long run and you will learn a huge amount. (Then maybe you could go on to build a business website of your own :) Anyway, I just started myself 6 months ago and am building a site called http://www.chocolate-candy-mall.com It is coming along really well. I love it. There is no way I could have done it without the video tutorials, step by step action guide, all the help from other SBIers, and mostly the unbelievable tools included in the SBI package. So, I sound like a commercial. That doesn't make it any less true. :) If you want a free tour of SBI to see what I am talking about, you can click on my avatar and follow the link in my profile for the free tour. I wish you and your friend the best of success.
3. For a free hosting and that with database the best option i think is: http://www.x10hosting.com/?rid=17750 Here u can get much options adfree and with ads and also u can associate ur domain name here if u have one.