Checklist

There are three main items you need to start a website:

• Domain Name - this is the address that people will type into their browser to view your website. You will need to register a domain name for a period of time, for .co.uk there is a minimium registration period of two years. The costs tend to be quite minimal.
• Website Files - these are the coded files that are used to create each webpage of your website. They can be created in a number of different ways, using HTML, DHTML, XHTML, XML, Flash or a combination of these techniques. Costs vary greatly depending on the complexity of the website and the technology needed.
• Hosting Company - you will need to store your website on a computer that can be accessed by other computers on the internet. Rental costs are normally quite reasonable and can be charged monthly, quarterly, annually. Choosing the right hosting solution is very important, as having a slow server or no connection will be detrimental to your online presence.