Creating and maintaining a web
page is easy and straightforward. There are several useful tools to
help you get started, many of which eliminate or reduce the learning
curve associated with placing a new site on the Internet. This guide
is intended to acquaint you with "the basics." Armed with
this information, you'll be able to select a web presence provider,
create content, and manage your new website effectively.
So, how does this all work?
Before delving into creating the content for your new website, you
should understand the basics of how the Internet works. To many, the
Internet is a fuzzy conglomeration of Netscape Navigator, Yahoo, and
an email program. Here's what's actually going on:
The Internet is a communications network similar to the network used
to carry telephone conversations between two points in the world.
Hundreds of thousands of miles of fiber optic cable and telephone
lines, along with sattelite dishes and communication sattelites, make
up this "backbone" which we call the Internet.
Enter the web presence provider (WPP). These providers maintain high-performance
servers, and large amounts of storage, and have fast, high-capacity
links to the Internet backbone. These WPPs typically host thousands
of websites on their equipment. Because they buy in bulk, WPPs are
able to sell personal and business web hosting accounts for as little
as $10 or $20 per month. Manic
is one such web presence provider.
So where do your computer and modem fit in? You are one of the millions
of people, businesses, and organizations which connect to the Internet
on a daily basis. Typically, you'll be connecting to the Internet
with a modem (through a dial-up provider), or through your school
or work.
When you visit a site (for example, Alice
Cooper's), your request is transmitted by your dial-up provider,
across the Internet, to a WPP like Manic. This web presence provider
then returns the information requested, which might be a web page,
a sound, or a piece of email.
So, what do I need to get started?
First, you'll need an idea for your content. If you're reading this
page, you've probably got a great idea, and are looking for a way
to put it into motion.
Second, you'll most likely want some type of web authoring software.
Several software packages are available to assist you in creating
web pages. Many offer intuitive, graphical interfaces which mimic
your word processor. Their prices range from free (Netscape
Navigator Gold, Net-It Now!)
to around $100 (Microsoft
FrontPage, Adobe Pagemill).
Alternatively, you can try your hand at creating HTML from scratch.
Third, you'll need to select a web presence provider (WPP) which will
house and host your web page. Manic
has several hosting packages to get you started, plus custom plans
once you become more advanced and begin to require specialized services.
So, how should I select a WPP?
There are several web presence providers to choose from. You'll probably
want to consider the following factors:
- Price - Prices
vary widely. Don't necessarily go for the lowest price, but select
a package which meets your budget.
- Performance
- Although a web page can be slow for any number of reasons, it's
probably best to select a web presence provider whose pages load
at a reasonable speed.
- Space and transfer
restrictions - If you're new to the world of web hosting,
you won't want to have to worry about artifical storage and hit
limitations. Some providers offer hosting packages with no predefined
limits on storage and hits.
- Support - Send
a message to their sales or support department. Is the response
time measured in hours, or is it in measured in days?
- Customer satisfaction
- Most WPPs have customer directories. Send a message to a few
of their customers and see how they like their support.
So, how do I start?
Most web presence providers have online signup forms, and a few
allow you to start hosting your new site within minutes of signing
up.
Of course, you'll want to pick a URL which people will use to visit
your site. You'll be able to choose between a domain name (i.e.
http://www.yourname.com/ or http://www.yourname.net/
or http://www.yourname.org/), or a basic name (i.e. http://yourname.yourprovider.com/).
Many WPPs now support national domains (i.e. http://www.yourname.de/)
for those who qualify.
Once you sign up, you'll receive instructions on how to update your
site, manage site content, and perform other administrative functions.
It's then up to you to create the site content and attract visitors
to your site.
How would I upload or update my site?
Many people think that you have to dial directly into your WPP in
order to update your site. This is not the case. The versitality
of the Internet allows you to upload your site simply by connecting
normally to the Internet using your own ISP, school, or work.
What then? This largely depends on your choice of web authoring
tools. Almost all authoring tools, including the four listed above,
allow you to type in your server's URL, your username, and password.
Once you've created a page, the software will automatically upload
and update it onto your WPP, which makes the content appear to the
world. If you've chosen to create the HTML from scratch, you'll
need to follow specific instructions provided by your WPP once you
sign up.
In summary...
Many people are confused by the two different types of "providers"
which are available. Internet service providers (ISPs), and web
presence providers (WPPs) have two distinct functions on the Internet.
An ISP provides you with a personal connection to the Internet.
Typcial ISPs provide dial-in telephone numbers which you call with
your modem. Once connected, you can "surf," use Netscape
or other browser software, check your email, etc.
On the other hand, a web presence provider offers space for you
to maintain a web page. The web page is hosted on a permanent
connection, as opposed to a dial-in connection which would be temporary.
Typical WPPs do not have modems, nor do they have "dial-in"
lines. They usually have a high-bandwidth connection to major Internet
backbones.
If you're interested in creating a new website, you'll need an idea,
web authoring software, and a web presence provider. After selecting
a WPP, following a simple signup process, and choosing your domain
name, you'll receive instructions on configuring your authoring
software to upload your site.
After signup, it's up to you to create the content for your new
site, and to attract visitors.
Do you have specific questions about placing your business or personal
site online? Contact a Manic sales
representative, and we'll be happy to assist!
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