Now that you have registered your new domain, you need a web host to point it to and a place to build your new site. There are many types of hosting accounts online, from free to the more expensive dedicated servers that big affiliate programs run off of. What we are looking for here is a hosting account that supports cpanel, fantastico, php, mysql, and more. It should allow unlimited domains, virtually unlimited space, massive bandwidth, and offer responsive customer service. Oh, and it should be very affordable. I’m sure there are several that fit the bill and a few that don’t.

Two options will be recommended here. The first is Hostgator. Their baby plan meets all of our criteria and there is no setup or prepay required, just a low $9.95/mo via credit card or paypal. Just click on Learn More under the Shared section to see the different options. The second host is Bluehost. They require a longer term payment, such as 12 months in advance, but it still works out to around $6.95/mo and the options they offer are fantastic. Their customer service is also top notch. You also get a free domain registration with the 12 and 24 month plans.

Once you get your hosting account set up, you will need to get the nameservers from your host (usually in the welcome email). Then log into your domain registrar and update these nameservers. You can view several nameserver tutorials here. Your welcome email will also give your cpanel login information. If you are not familiar with what is available in a cpanel, just view some of these flash cpanel tutorials. The cpanel is a user friendly control panel for managing your hosting account and completing tasks such as creating and accessing email accounts, creating databases, adding domains and subdomains, managing site files, using fantastico to auto install scripts such as Wordpress, and more.

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