Seeking Advice

[bobov (imported)]

I want to start a business that would require a web site for clients. At first, I'd like to do this by renting someone else's data facilities. I'd need help setting up the site, etc. Would anyone here share their knowledge about the best, easiest, cheapest way to get this done?

[dingbat (imported)]

Hi bobov,

It depends on what you want. I've used both homestead and network solutions in the past. Both offer domain name registration and website design packages. Both offer shopping possibilities, that is to say they offer the chance to add a secure server on your site which allows people to buy things.

From an ease of use point of view, I've found network solutions offer a very simple website design package but it's not that malleable, in other words, you have to fit your design into their package. Homestead offers a much better design package, very easy to use and with many more options. Both have excellent uptime statistics (in my experience).

Homestead also offer a free month's trial where you can run your site free for a month (with certain restrictions).

www.networksolutions.com (http://www.networksolutions.com)

www.homestead.com (http://www.homestead.com)

Both are fairly reasonably priced but, be careful, with network solutions you can end up paying quite a lot more than the stated price if you wish to add things such as a message board or a chat facility for people to ask questions about your product.

Both offer easy ways to enter metatags into Google etc.

[bobov (imported)]

Thank you, Dingbat!! This is a tremendous help!