Question
So I just used register.com to register a domain name that I liked. What happens now? I didn't purchase any extra services or anything. Is there a way to find out my IP address?
I realize I have a long way to go and am not really in a hurry. I'm glad I got the name I wanted and was curious as to where to start in getting a web page up.
Thanks.
Answer
My domain name redirects to my website that I have hosted elsewhere.
It all depends on what you want to do. Are you going to sell from your site, or is it just a fun page? Do you want a shopping card? Shipping calculator? How will your customers pay you? Do you know HTML, or would you rather sign on with a turn key type operation? Do you know how to use Front Page?
Most ISP's offer some free webspace, but many prohibit you from doing business from that space. Check with whoever you use to get online, like AOL, Comcast, Earthlink, etc., & see what their requirements are.
Hopefully Sharon will be along. She helped me set up my site and does a great job. She can host sites now too.
Congrats on getting the name you wanted - that's a tough thing to do these days!
http://members.aol.com/melbayone/thread.gif
Melinda
Answer
Thanks for your response, Melinda. I was sure happy to get the name I wanted.
It's basically a fun page for a computer club at school (7th graders). I thought it would be neat to have a domain name that is ours where we can post the club's events and projects.
I was able to use a template provided by register.com with their FirstStep web page creator to throw a dummy page up.
They allow (I think) 3 free pages. That actually might be enough for now. I was reading the help section and it said it takes 24-48 hours before the site is actually on the internet.
The next thing I need to figure out is how to get a page we create in html to show up instead of the modified template that I created.
Answer
For this particular company, you get three web pages with your registration. To build your pages, check http://www.register.com//faq/registr...?1|3789054174|
When/if you decide to do a fully functional website, you will need to purchase hosting. At that time, the company you purchase from will tell you which settings you need to change on your domain registration account.
jayne
Answer
Thanks Jayne.
I think I have been wrong in my thinking that when you register a domain name, along with that name you get an IP address.
Let me see if I have this right: The hosting company has the IP address. When I sign up with them (the hosting company), they give me the IP address and I set up my domain name to "go to" the hosting company's IP address and the hosting company's computer will know where to direct requests for www.mysite.com?
Answer
Well, sorta. It's a little more complicated than that.
When you registered at register.com, they set up the part that leads (or resolves) your domain name to an actual server. This is called a DNS entry. Register.com set it up to lead to a space on their server. So that's where your domain name leads now.
When you buy hosting from another company, they will take over the functions that resolve your domain name to a server--on their DNS. They will lead it to a space on their server.
A DNS entry basically contains your domain name and corresponding IP number. So, yeah, it's about IP numbers. But it's also about having the equipment and the service set up to get the DNS entry out on the internet.
DNS info is shared between internet servers. When a change is made to one DNS, it's propogated to every DNS. That's why companies tell you it takes 72 hours to make a change.
jayne
Answer
First get yourself a host. Shop around. The big boys like Earthlink, etc., charge a bundle (over $20 bucks a month). You can easily find hosting for $5 a month or even less. You will still need a separate dial-up account.
Once you've found a host, they will transfer the domain from register.com. Most hosts include that as a free service. It will take another few days until the Internet points to your new host.
Then you are ready to create your web page. Find a basic HTML tutorial or buy an HTML for dummies book. It's pretty simple and fun to maintain your own web pages. You'll transfer your pages from your computer to your host's servers using a program called an FTP client. If you go to www.sourceforge.net and type in "FileZilla" there's a pretty good free one there.
Using FileZilla (or another FTP client) you'll see a couple of windows. On the left, your hard drive, and on the right, your server. Just drag the files from one window to the other, and your web site is updated. Easy and fun. Good luck.
Answer
In most cases you'll never need to know your IP address. But if you need to, you can look it up at whois.net once you've got your host set up.
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Hopefully Sharon will be along. She helped me set up my site and does a great job. She can host sites now too.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks, Melinda! http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
Yes, I can host sites, I own my own hosting company now.
Feel free to email if you want more information.
msjohn*sharlyndesign.com
~Sharon
Custom WEB DESIGN and reliable WEB HOSTING including e-commerce.
Answer
Thanks so much for all the informative and helpful posts!
Sharon, I may contact you when we want to take this site further. You were terrific in helping out my friend Marlo and I won't forget that.