Activate free web space

[Silversurfer]

Hi,

I am about to try and build my own website and I am very nervous. I have read the easy Site Wizard 6 User Guide which is enough to scare me.

I went on to the activate you free web space section and read the instructions and the bit that worried me was Choose your website address carefully as it cannot be changed.

So, what do I do? I have a website domain name registered with BT and an email address associated with it, which I receive emails through, so do I choose the email address associated with the website?

Any help would be appreciated and know doubt this will not be my last posting.

[dave]

Did you buy a hosting package to use with your domain name? If so forget about the free webspace.

If you didn't buy a proper hosting package, I would suggest getting one. However, if you would rather not spend the money you can activate this free webspace (call it whatever you like) and then you can forward the domain to it.

[Silversurfer]

Hi, Dave thank you for coming back so quickly.

I only paid for the Domain name for the next 2 years. What are the advantages in buying a hosting package against free space? 

[dave]

Firstly, the free webspace is only 50MB and does not support much. If your website is going to be basic then this may not matter too much.

I think what is more important to a lot of people is that with proper hosting your domain will be pointed directly at your webspace. So anyone going to www.yourdomain.com will see your website.

With the free hosting you have to name the webspace as home.btconnect.com/yourname and forward the domain to it. Anyone visiting the site will see the true name of the webspace as home.btconnect.com/yourname.

It may be just a vanity thing but a lot of people reckon it causes problems with search engine listings too.

[Silversurfer · Accepted solution]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that. As I am a new business I think it would look more professional with a web package but I don't require anything too soffisticated just something that looks attractive. I can always upgrade at a later date if business takes off. All that remain is for me to get started on building the website. Never having done anything like this before I'm a bit nervous about making mistake that I can't put right but here goes.