How to create, run & manage your own website - Part II

[The_Big_K]

CEans,

In part I of article "How to create, run & manage" website, we discussed the basics of getting started. In part II, we'll have a look at how to setup your website. I recommend that you go through the part I link - How to create, run & manage your own website - Part I

At this point, we are aware that there are two most important requirements for having your own website -

1. Your own domain.
2. Your own web-space, provided by the web host.

Now, let me talk a bit about how to go about deciding how much web space you want and which hosting account is best for you.

1. Shared Hosting Account:

This hosting account normally provides you with enough space/bandwidth/database to run your small website. By 'small website' I refer to personal blogs, product & service information websites etc. Typical small website would need not more than 500 MB of web-space and attract about 500-1500 visitors every day. Most importantly, the small website would not need more than 4-5 databases.

So, if you are starting a simple website with limited functionality - go for shared hosting account.

{Note: If you are techie, do not forget to look for SSH access to your account. It helps a hell lot! Also look for latest version of mySQL, PHP, Zend, ionCube (you may not require them) and other software.}

2. Virtual Private Server (VPS) Account:

Yes, as the name suggests its your 'virtual' private server. That is, a single (physical) server (machine) will have more than one accounts on it while simulating the 'dedicated server'. Don't worry if you do not understand even a bit of it at this point.

Typically, if you are looking to start a website that will have huge collection of photographs or a small social networking site (2-3 thousand visitors per day) or a database intensive website - you will need a VPS account. It's always recommended to discuss your requirements with your web host before you select VPS account.

3. Dedicated Server:

This is a server that is dedicated to you . That is you own the whole machine at client's (web host) site. You are the king who decides what software to install on your machine, when to boot the machine and everything . Since this article is for CEans who are totally new to running a website, we will not focus on dedicated servers.

Bandwidth:

One of the most important considerations and your web host may trick you here. In simple terms, bandwidth is about how much data moves in and out of your website. It depends on traffic and the nature of your website. Web hosts charge heavily (in most of the cases) if you exceed your bandwidth limits.


I repeat: Always discuss your requirements with your potential web host. Also see how quickly they respond to your queries and how good they are in their response. Trust me, this is going to save you lot of time in future. Plus I bet you don't want to go through the hassels of changing the web host.

With your domain name, web hosting account in place, you are ready to make your hardware work - that is actually setting up your website. Let's delve into it.

Installing required software through your web hosting account:

In order to make your website work, you will have to 1) Install software 2) Code everything on your own. For the newbies option 1 is recommended.

There is lot of freeware available on the internet which is very secure and gets the things done. It would be impossible to discuss the software and its functionality in this article. Come on, I told you - be prepared to learn a lot on your own. Be willing to read!

Most modern web hosts provide you with a Control Panel [called cPanel]. Once you login as administrator to your web hosting account, you will be presented with the cPanel. Most of the times you will also have an automated script installer called 'Fantastico'. If you are newbie or do not have root (SSH) access to your account; go with the script installers.

[Script Installers Explained: A program that helps you install other programs (software) with just few clicks.]

Assuming that you are creating a simple content website, I recommend that you use 'Wordpress' a blogging engine (software) that does a great job of CMS (Content Management System).

A CMS or Blog Engine will give you a very easy to use interface to add, edit content, change the look & feel of your website, install additional functionality (through plugins) etc.

Be happy - all the software you need is available freely.

Take a moment to learn about the databases:

You can't escape them. If you are setting up your website through Script Installers; you don't have to worry about databases - because everything will be automatically done for you. You just have to click few buttons here and there - and you are done.

However, do learn about databases. Basic information will do. There's an amazing tool to manage your databases called phpMyAdmin. It's a sophisticated database administration tool - freely available.

To wrap up -

You need -

1. A domain name.
2. Web - space.
3. Bandwidth.
4. Databases
5. Software to make your website run [CMS, Blogging Engine, Photo Gallery etc.]

In next article, I'll talk about how to manage your website, track performance, SEO, general tips and tricks.

Be willing to learn, be willing to read, be willing to dedicate time. You'll realize - its fun!

[fake_lover01]

good information boss

[zia.sepsis]

nice work biggeeee

[ashuashi]

Good piece of info.

thanks

[The_Big_K]

Welcome folks

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in this thread.

[mayurpathak]

Good information indeed. I would however suggest Drupal CMS in case if you are building a website that has large content exchange.

[Bevan]

Very good article!

Have you ever heard about hpage in order to craete a website?

<Remove by admin. No advertisements, please>

[safwan]

its better to have blog biggie for (students ) instead of all this work as their is still time to study !! but i like your both article going to read third now.