Can anyone recommend a good paid web host for bloggers?? (1 Viewer)

[YukonJac]

Hello!
I'd like to start a travel/food blog but want to 'own' it and possibly commercialise it. I understand that the free blog sites are very limiting and that you really don't own or control your content. I have googled away on the subject but don't trust a lot of the answers I'm finding - naturally everyone is trying to link you to a site where they are earning a bob or two. I'm moderately computer savvy but haven't gone this type of blogging route before - and I trust you lot!! I'm on a Mac if that makes any difference at all.
Thanks in advance!

Jacquie

 

[DBK]

Jacqui,

The best way to own the site is to buy the domain name yourself together with a hosting package. There are numerous companies out there offering this although I would recommend 123-Reg (Dodgy Link Removed) I used these when I ran an internet business and never had any problems with them. The firm that built my website (for e-commerce) also used them so that seemed like a reasonable endorsement. They used to have all their servers in the UK and probably still do, which is a useful thing to have as otherwise they might be on the other side of the world.

Have a look at what they offer, a basic hosting package should be less than £30 (but I haven't checked recently!) plus of course your domain name. I would suggest just go for the .co.uk one but entirely up to you. Once you have a site you can load up something like WordPress but you might be able to buy a package with it already loaded - have a good look round the 123 Reg website for what is to offer.

If you want to "commercialise" it then it depends what you want to do, I'm assuming not e-commerce, ie. selling stuff as that is an entirely different ball game with many options regarding how you take payment. There are commercial packages you can buy which will do a reasonable job but if you want something bespoke it needs to be built from scratch if you really want it to look good. 123 Reg also offer something.

If you start getting a lot of traffic then you will probably have to upgrade the hosting package but a simple one will do to get you off the ground. Getting yourself found on Google is a whole new ball game of its own.

A basic package like Photoshop Elements will do all you will probably want for editing and enhancing photographs.

This is the company I used to run, now sold - and I see they are still using my photographs and dubious videos! http://www.modernbeekeeping.co.uk/

John

 

[YukonJac]

Thanks J - I've been looking at 1-2-3 so it's great to have an endorsement. By commercialise, I just mean that I would like to have the option of running and controlling advertisements through it. I'm a dreamer.
Love your bees website!!! Will take a closer look - hmmmm - stay in Sicily, become a beekeeper, write a best-seller about it.....
Cheers!!
Jac

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[DBK]

Thanks J - I've been looking at 1-2-3 so it's great to have an endorsement. By commercialise, I just mean that I would like to have the option of running and controlling advertisements through it. I'm a dreamer.
Love your bees website!!! Will take a closer look - hmmmm - stay in Sicily, become a beekeeper, write a best-seller about it.....
Cheers!!
Jac

I can't help on adverts as they weren't really around like they are now when I was doing it. Funster @Gromett would be worth contacting as he also offers web hosting I believe and I am sure can advise on advertising.

 

[Jim]

We can provide you with domain hosting on a very fast server. Install wordpress on the domain and back up your website every night. You'd then control every aspect, the wordpress theme and advertisements etc. Have your own email addresses and 25gb of space. Setup and Wordpress install would cost £30, thereafter just at £5 a month paid twice yearly in advance.

 

[YukonJac]

Ahhhh Gromett! I remember chatting with him years ago when he was just undertaking his mega-full-timing dream. I will indeed chat him up again.

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[YukonJac]

We can provide you with domain hosting on a very fast server. Install wordpress on the domain and back up your website every night. You'd then control every aspect, the wordpress theme and advertisements etc. Have your own email addresses and 25gb of space. Setup and Wordpress install would cost £30, thereafter just at £5 a month paid twice yearly in advance.

Throw in free Fun membership and you might just have yourself a deal Jim. When do I come up for renewal???

 

[JJ]

Jim hosts my website...

A very fair deal.

JJ

 

[YukonJac]

Jim hosts my website...

A very fair deal.

JJ

Hi there JJ - thanks for the recommendation. Any chance you want to show your website off to me??
Jac

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[JJ]

Hi there JJ - thanks for the recommendation. Any chance you want to show your website off to me??
Jac

I hope you don't mind but...

I try to keep my former (working) life separate from my lay about, freeloading, lounging around in the sun one that I am living now...

Also I have neglected up dating it recently...

However...

A PM might do the trick...


JJ

 

[YukonJac]

Gotcha

Thought it might be motorhome-related! No worries and please continue to do all of the above with no guilt whatsoever!!

 

[berni109]

have a look at one.com
very reasonable prices next to nothing to get started and helpful online support
i use it for 2 web sites and never had a problem.

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[Gromett]

Ahhhh Gromett! I remember chatting with him years ago when he was just undertaking his mega-full-timing dream. I will indeed chat him up again.

I sold my hosting company last January and now do consultancy. Jim will look after you

I just deal with server admin, security, software development and writing now.

 

[YukonJac]

Thanks very much Gromett - hope things are going well for you!
J