The fact of the matter is, you can't have a web site until you have a place to host your web pages. Web pages need to be placed on a server that is accessible to the internet. A server is, for all intents and purposes, just like your personal computer, only it is usually dedicated and configured for internet purposes.

There are some web hosting resources that are free to the patron for storing web pages on, but there is a catch. (Isn't that always the case?) Free web hosting is sponsored by other companies through advertisements that either pop-up when people visit your pages or that flash banners at the visitor while they are looking at your pages. Also, you are unlikely to get to chose the domain name since you will be expected to use their domain name in addition to a user name. Now, don't get me wrong, using a free web host can be to your benefit when first deciding to move online. Just remember that there are trade-offs if you do choose to establish web pages on a free web hosting server.

If you decide that you definitely want to have your own "space" with your own "name" on the internet, you will first need to assess your overall needs before deciding on a web host. For example, are you wanting to make your business presence known to a larger, global audience without actually performing business transactions online? Then you may not need the expense of secured server space or other expensive features for your web pages. You are not likely to need your own dedicated server, either, and the cost of renting space on someone's server can be very reasonable.

On the other hand, if you want to immediately develop a web site around selling your products/services online, then you should expect to pay more for your online marketing needs. You should also think about how you plan to accept payments, such as a merchant account for credit card payments and how you will ensure that the payment information is kept secure from nosey people who don't need easy access to it. Another trade off can be to use one of the third-party merchant accounts available online. The third-party option is viable, although sometimes an inconvenience or more expensive option, depending on the nature of the sales and your particular business. We help you walk through these all of these options to reduce your chances of making a costly marketing mistake.

Perhaps even more important is the URL address of your site. Choosing the right domain name for your company is a significant step prior to finding your web host. If the domain name that you wanted is taken already, there are a variety of ways to use other available names or catch phrases to your advantage. Understanding how to make use of other options is an vital step to deciding on your domain name.

The nice feature about our service is that we work with you in making these decisions. You are not being asked to know all this information. fifth-house.org web management becomes your personalized resource of information and experience when it pertains to small business needs online.