| Even if you don't know anything about the web or | | | | programs that you can install and get up and running |
| web hosting, you can quickly and easily get your | | | | with a few clicks. It makes it really easy for even |
| family or hobby website online...today! | | | | the beginner to install software on their server and |
| With more and more people taking advantage of | | | | blog software (such as Wordpress) is one type of |
| broadband service and getting online, it's inevitable | | | | software that's included...and it's included for free! |
| that some people will soon want to create their own | | | | Another good thing about Wordpress and other blog |
| website. Many people use family websites to keep in | | | | software, especially for family or hobby sites, is that |
| touch with family members scattered all over the | | | | you can allow multiple people to add to the site and |
| country or all over the world. Others use their | | | | they can do so from anywhere in the world (as long |
| websites as a place to show off their enthusiasm for | | | | as they're connected to the 'net). So if you have a |
| a particular hobby and connect with other die-hard | | | | family site, each family member can have their own |
| fans. Either way, there are several low-cost options | | | | login name for the site and can post messages for |
| for you to choose from if you're looking to carve out | | | | the family spreading the good news about their |
| your virtual space online. However, it's good to | | | | recent promotion, the great vacation they just had, |
| understand your options and what you should look | | | | or the little one's A+ book report. It's a great way to |
| for. | | | | keep in touch and I'm sure you can see the similar |
| How to Host a Website | | | | uses for a hobby site too. |
| Let's not get into the granular details of what | | | | More One-Click Wonders |
| website hosting is. Simply put, web hosting is a | | | | By choosing a web host with "Fantastico", you have |
| service provided by many companies that allows you | | | | more than just blog software available to you. You |
| to use space on one of their computers (called | | | | could set up an online forum for your hobby where |
| "servers") in order to upload files that can be seen | | | | others that share your enthusiasm for the hobby can |
| online. These files can be images, movies, the | | | | gather online, trade ideas, tips, etc. Forum software |
| individual files that make up your webpage, etc. And | | | | like "phpBB" or "Simple Machines Forum (SMF)" work |
| for the purpose of a family or hobby site, the cost is | | | | nicely for this and are usually part of the Fantastico |
| relatively low and the hosting company will take care | | | | package. |
| of all of the day-to-day maintenance of the server | | | | If you decide you want to have an online photo |
| for you. | | | | gallery, look for something like "Coppermine" which |
| You can find web hosting for as little as $10 per | | | | allows you to post and share pictures on your site in |
| month. There are free services available also, but | | | | an easy to use gallery format. This or similar photo |
| usually they require you to place ads on your site in | | | | gallery software is also standard fare with Fantastico. |
| order to cover their costs. For only a few pennies | | | | How To Find Out More |
| per day, you can have ad-free hosting and avoid the | | | | If you'd like to get more info or get started with |
| need to turn your website into the company's virtual | | | | your very own family or hobby website, a simple |
| billboard. And that price gets you pretty much | | | | search in the search engines will point you in the right |
| everything you need. If you decide you want multiple | | | | direction. Then you can compare the features |
| sites, you may be able to do that with your web | | | | offered by each web host and make sure they have |
| host depending on the hosting package you choose | | | | what you need. |
| and if not, they can usually upgrade your plan if | | | | Here's what you should look for: |
| necessary, similar to how cell phone companies can | | | | 1. Monthly fee of around $10/month, maybe $15 |
| increase your minutes. | | | | maximum |
| Install the Easiest Website Builder With Just a Few | | | | 2. Fantastico Install (an absolute must) |
| Clicks | | | | 3. Multiple email addresses (most give you unlimited |
| Blogs (short for Web Logs) are all the rage now and | | | | email addresses) |
| with most web hosting companies, you can set up a | | | | 4. The most disk space and bandwidth you can get |
| blog quickly and easily. This is one of the best ways | | | | and still get items 1 - 3 also (these won't be an issue |
| for the novice website owner to get a site up and | | | | unless your site gets really large and you can always |
| running since adding to the site is much like typing | | | | upgrade so don't worry too much about this part) |
| something in a word processor. My recommendation | | | | 5. PHP and MySQL (since many Fantastico programs |
| for beginners is Wordpress since it's free and has | | | | use these, if the hosting company offers Fantastico |
| several "themes" available. Themes allow you to | | | | they probably offer these items too) |
| change the look and feel of your site in just one click. | | | | **Note: Many web hosts also include built-in website |
| A quick Google search can point you to plenty of | | | | design software that you can use for a traditional |
| themes which you can use to customize your site. | | | | site. I simply recommend blog software because it's |
| That way, you can focus on adding info to your site | | | | so darned easy to use, even for the beginner. |
| and not have to worry about becoming a web design | | | | So if you're interested in getting your website up and |
| expert. | | | | running, start researching your options today and |
| Many web hosting companies provide a feature | | | | enjoy your new-found space on the web. |
| known as "Fantastico". This is a set of free software | | | | |