In the previous part of this series, we discussed the topic of domain registration: researching, and selecting the perfect domain name for your affiliate business.
Today it’s time to talk about the second mandatory element for all affiliate sites – how to setup your hosting.
Types of Hosting
First of all, forget about free hosting. Those platforms are either full of external ads (ads you have no control over, nor can profit from), or experience frequent downtimes.
The standard types of hosting are:
- Shared hosting. The most basic and cheapest plan. Here, you share your server with other customers of your hosting company. This is usually the best solution for new sites that will be developing their brand over time (without major launches).
- Dedicated server. In this case, you get a whole machine and you don’t have to share it with anyone. You can choose the configurations and set everything up the way you want it. Recommended for advanced website administrators and big affiliate sites. It’s the most expensive type of hosting.
- VPS hosting. VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. It has the characteristics of both shared hosting and dedicated servers. In short, you get your own server, but it’s a virtual machine (not a physical one). That virtual machine runs on a shared physical machine. Such construction allows you to get some of the benefits of having a dedicated server, yet for a fraction of the price.
The Provider
Here are CAP, you can find a number of posts talking about specific hosting providers. Feel free to browse our archive and pick the company that speaks to you the most.
Here are the individual posts:
- Web Hosting in the U.S.
- Web Hosting in the UK
- Web Hosting in Australia
- Web Hosting in South Africa
- Web Hosting in Sweden
- Web Hosting in Denmark
If you’re just starting out with a new site in a new niche, shared hosting is probably all you need.
Also, pick a hosting provider offering servers in the country where you’re going to be doing most of your business.
Connecting Your Domain to Your Web Host
The last piece of the puzzle is to make sure that your domain name and your hosting account are connected to each other.
The process can be slightly different depending on your hosting provider. Generally, this involves doing three things:
- Getting the nameservers from your hosting provider. (Nameservers are like the internet’s phonebook – it’s where the exact location of all websites can be found.)
- Setting those nameservers for your domain name.
- Setting the domain name in your hosting account.
If you need a more detailed tutorial, you can find it here: Pointing Your Domain to Your Webhost. Also, to get specific instructions, contact your hosting provider or visit their help center.
Once you complete this step, your domain and your hosting account are ready to welcome your website.