Separate Domain and Web Hosting?

Question

I am a certified novice regarding websites. My goal is to create a networking site with Buddypress.org via Wordpress.org. I am currently looking for a web host. I have kinda decided that Dream host would be best for me (they offer one click install of Wordpress, the 5 minute install directions game me a headache)

Anyway, I'd like to know if I should consider having a separate domain and web host . I read a comment that stated that I shouldn't have all of my eggs in one basket. Would anyone have some more advice?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

You won't need more than one site if you only host 1 website. Having said that, you could easily find better and cheaper hosting than Dreamhost. They're not bad mind you, but Greenville hosting for example has been VERY reliable for my sites, and they only charge 9c/day...a lot cheaper than Dreamhost. Of course they also offer an easy 1-click installation of Wordpress, just like iPage (also good), Fatcow, and a few others.



Also, I tend to keep my domain provider the same for all my websites, it's easier to keep track that way. However, most good hosts offer you a free domain, so I tend to take advantage of their offers...throwing away free goodies is stupid ;)



I'd go with shared hosting. You can always move to VPS or dedicated server hosting once you get so many visitors that it slows down your website, but personally I started off with shared hosting. It's incredibly cheap, and if you take advantage of a coupon code, you can get hosting for as little as $0.09-0.15 per day.



This would include unlimited bandwidth, unlimited web space, unlimited databases (important), and unlimited emails as well as a great sitebuilder. Some like iPage also offer easy PEAR scripts, 1-click Wordpress installation, a free domain, and $450 in free goodies. I went with iPage, and already had to bug their support with questions. Both of them were file permission related, but they solved it within minutes. Their live-chat support is amazing and very quick, and the one time I had to call them, they picked up the phone within 2 minutes...very handy if you're new.



I also browsed the net for cheap hosting coupons, but found out a lot of them are expired or outdated. The most up-to-date coupons I found were on Twitter (don't laugh) as it's easier to update a Twitter stream than a website. If you go to Twitter, and search for WebHostingD, you'll have all the latest coupons...I went with his iPage offer, and don't regret it. They're very reliable so far, no noticeable downtime, anytime money-back guarantee (in case I want to cancel), great support, and they're the cheapest RELIABLE host I found. I've signed up for a second account and also used WebHostingD's Twitter stream to get the coupon, he/she seems to literally update the coupons daily :)



Also, the stream also has some cool video tutorials that should help you get started once you signed up.



Finally, don't sign up with Hostgator's "only 1c in the first month offer" as their 25%OFF coupon is more valuable if you do the math...the other guy has it in his Twitter stream somewhere.



Also: NEVER PAY MORE THAN $4.5 for shared hosting! iPage/Greenville are a lot better than hosts trying to rip you off with expensive prices above $4.5/mo. Greenville hosting for example only costs you 9c/day, which is a lot better than Bluehost for example.

Answer 2

Hi comingofage03,



Yes, having a separate domain registrar and web host is the conventional wisdom.



GoDaddy is generally the preferred domain registrar, and the one I use for all of my domains. NameCheap is another good one.



As far as web hosting, what you are looking for is "shared hosting". That would be the least expensive hosting available. There are several good web hosts out there. I have heard DreamHost is good. Hostgator is another good web host that I have used for years.



Virtually all shared hosting companies have a user administration program called CPanel. This is what provides the One-Click install of Wordpress you mentioned. You will want to make sure the web host you choose has CPanel as it makes setting up your website much easier. Help for CPanel is all over the web.



I hope I was able to answer your question. Good luck on all your future projects.

Answer 3

I would recommend the same. It will be cheaper for you to get both services from the same company. There are web hosts that also offer domain registration, so that you can get both in one go. Check out http://buywebspacetoday.com/links/hostmonster for recommended web hosts. Note that HostMonster offers free domain registration if you sign up with their web hosting, so that's bound to save you some money.You don't have to spend a lot of money, by the way. A typical hosting plan that has all the features you need goes from $6 to $8 a month.

Answer 4

Yes, you can separate your domain from your web hosting. In fact, many websites are created that way. if you are looking for a good web host, don't go for free. They can entail no cost but will also give you limited features and support. Try something also affordable but better like www.vexxhost.com. Once you have your domain, try vexxhost as a web host and you wont think twice.

Answer 5

The one click install solution is great but there are security issues, please look at http://wptutorial.com/blog/basics/overcoming-fantastico-security-problems on ways to help reduce that risk. The number one way to avoid these security issues is to do a manual install. I myself had issues with this in the beginning, but depending on your host a manual install can be very simple. I use http://www.coverthosting.com and I can bet they would install it for you, they have live sales rep on there (No harm in asking). As for the domain and hosting, it really comes down to domain price. If you find a good deal on a domain tld at a particular registrar (ie enom, godaddy) then you must change your name-servers to point to your hosting servers. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is. Any host should be able to guide you through this process.



Just be sure to dig a little before joining Dreamhost, there are some horror stories out there.

Answer 6

It's best practice to make sure the domain is registered in your name, not your web hosts. This way you control the domain. Wordpress is a great choice. I disagree with an earlier poster, blue host is really good for Word press hosting. See this, which explains why -



http://www.website-hosting-reviews.net/blue-host.html



Good luck with your site!

Answer 7

That depends. Be careful... Oftentimes, if you buy a domain through a web host, they will not register the domain under your name. They will instead put it under their company's name. So watch out.



It is better to register the domain through GoDaddy or Google. Even better would be to register directly with ICANN, but I don't know how that's done either.



Your host should be able to host for the domain. It's a good idea simply for security. I just recently found out that my first website was not registered under my name, but actually under some company alias or something.



I'm not trying to scare you, but be weary. If you want to register it under your name, go with something like Google or GoDaddy. Trustable names in the domain market.

Answer 8

Most of organizations provide both services which is good for you so you can pay small amount. Just which is cheap web hosting here, I have check few of them and in my knowledge Power Up Hosting good for you.

Answer 9

Yes, definitely separate them - and everybody will tell you pretty much the same thing



http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1680&bih=862&q=separate+domain+and+hosting&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=





For web hosts, I'd recommend known and trusted providers like HostGator (in the U.S. with over 5M domains hosted) or 1&1 (in Europe and UK, the world's #1 web host). Both offer inexpensive hosting plans with unlimited bandwidth, with good customer service and support. Both also provide low cost domain registration, email accounts, and easy-to-use site builders.



HostGator - Coupons: use SAVE994GAT to save $9.94, or 25PCTGATOR for 25% off



http://secure.hostgator.com/~affiliat/cgi-bin/affiliates/clickthru.cgi?id=gatorpromos



1&1 (see site below for current coupon codes)



http://www.1and1.com/?k_id=28530364





Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Don't choose godaddy because of http://www.nodaddy.com



Refer to:

http://www.threehosts.com/simplescripts/buddypress.html

and

http://www.threehosts.com/simplescripts/wordpress.html



Hope this helps.

Answer 11

Hi,



Take a look at this site, may be it can help you

http://webhostingfaqsonline.com



Regards,