Cheapest way to get your own professional web nest (.com domain, etc)

[FrancisK7]

I began designing website when I was 12 years old, and have therefore a lot more advice to offer in this area than writing. Some writer-friends in the Twitterverse has often asked me for advice, and the question came up during a #QueryChat yesterday.

This enticed me to write a blog post on the easiest and cheapest way to get yourself a professional web platform with your own personalized domain, costs, options, etc. Read here (http://blog.franciscossette.com/2011/01/how-to-get-your-own-writer-com-nest.html).

The short version is that maintaining a blog with Blogger and then buying your domain through Google is the simplest way to go. Costs 10$/year and you have a more professional address. E-mail hosting starts at 1.50$/month if you'd like to use that domain for e-mail addresses and 5$/month for full suite of hosting services with the likes of GoDaddy and Netfirms, though I don't recommend full hosting unless you already have ideas for content. A blog can serve as a site for a long time.

I hope some of you find this useful, as AW has helped me so much in the last months. Don't hesitate to ask questions here or on my blog!

Best,
Francis

[Nya RAyne]

Thanks so much for this. I started looking for a site today and just happened to run across this post.

I, however, was kind of hoping for a free webpage. Is there such a thing? And where can I find it?

[Jettica]

This is really useful for those AWers who may be less tech savvy. I think if anyone asked me I'd give them exactly the same advice!

[elindsen]

Thanks so much for this. I started looking for a site today and just happened to run across this post.

I, however, was kind of hoping for a free webpage. Is there such a thing? And where can I find it?
webs.com

[Medievalist]

Thanks so much for this. I started looking for a site today and just happened to run across this post.

I, however, was kind of hoping for a free webpage. Is there such a thing? And where can I find it?

For a free page look at

Google Sites
Blogger
Wordpress.com

Keep in mind that these won't give you a custom domain.

Lisa

[Jettica]

There's also freewebs.com and, I think, Moonfruit but the customisability is limited. And as Lisa said, no personalised domain, but they're cheap enough. At least you wouldn't be paying out the $$$ for design and the monthly cash for hosting.

[fireluxlou]

If you're into paid hosting I'd suggest joining and scouting webhostingtalk Forum for discount deals on reliable web hosts. =] I got 1/2 off yearly hosting with my current host through it. It is a very useful website.

[Skye Jules]

There's also Weebly. I used Weebly for The Corner Club Press's website, but you'll have to determine yourself if you think the domain price is worth it. It's not terrible, but it's definitely not 10 dollars a year.

[glendalough]

I have been working on this today and still can't decide what to do. I have a decent page on webs.com It's booksbysheri@webs.com but I want to make a bumper sticker advertising my site and would like it to be booksbysheri.com

Is there a way to do this for nearly free? Plus, if I go to a domain name place and pay for a domain name, that's just the name, right? No cool templates and so forth to pick from for the LOOK of the site? I hope this makes sense...

[Dodge]

Bluehost is a good way to start but their low end deals are on shared servers... at least when I used them a couple years ago.

Namecheap is a good place to get domain names.

If you expect tons of traffic or want security (as far as servers go) then get a virtual private server or a dedicated server. There are tons of deals out there so search around. I think the range for a decent server program will start around $50 - $100 per month while Bluehost may only be a few bucks.

To build your webpage I dig using the cPanel interface.

All up to you.

[glendalough]

Dodge, I'm not that bright about computer sites, so in the hopes of not sounding like an idiot:
So I can go to namecheap for a .com name of my choice if available? But that just buys me the domain name?

Then I can go to cPanel interface (is this a site?) and use templates etc (like I currently use on booksbysheri.webs.com) and then somehow 'move it' to my domain name?

[Medievalist]

Dodge, I'm not that bright about computer sites, so in the hopes of not sounding like an idiot:
So I can go to namecheap for a .com name of my choice if available? But that just buys me the domain name?

Then I can go to cPanel interface (is this a site?) and use templates etc (like I currently use on booksbysheri.webs.com) and then somehow 'move it' to my domain name?

No.

1. Buy a domain. Make sure it is in your name in terms of Registrant, and Owner, and Administrator. If someone else buys the domain for you and puts their name in the various contact fields, then you might not have control of your domain.

2. Find a host/Webserver/ISP. It is possible to use Google as your host; see the first post in this thread. See the first post in this thread.

3. Many hosts offer software called CPanel which allows you to install WordPress, or use templates, and various other tools.

[glendalough]

Any ideas on the cheapest ways to do these things? So far I make .30 cents for each book sold and sell just a few a month. (El broke)

[Medievalist]

Any ideas on the cheapest ways to do these things? So far I make .30 cents for each book sold and sell just a few a month. (El broke)

Which is why personally, I wouldn't. It's not likely to suddenly increase your sales. And it will suck away time and money, both.

The very first post in this thread has some good advice if you're determined.

I'd wait. Your book won't go stale or anything.

[JoyMC]

thanks for the info, Francis.

for those who are completely not tech-savvy, what's the ballpark rate to hire someone to actually design the content so it looks unique and not just like every other wordpress blog out there?

[JohnnyGottaKeyboard]

So here's a sort of general interest question--altho it applies specifically to me:

mypenname.com is, of course, taken (jonwilson.com). What seems like a better choice: jonwilsononline.com or jonwilsonbooks.com? Just fishing for opinions before I buy. All opinions will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Parametric]

This is a really helpful thread. I had no idea how easy and cheap it would be to register my own domain name. Thanks, Francis!