An ideal domain name should be short, easily remembered and describe your website. Top Level Domain Providers (e.g. .Nominet) create all Top Level Domains in this country which means you should not pay extortionate odds for domain names.

To publish or host this domain, web space is needed (a broadband or ADSL connection will enable hosting for your own site). This requires a static IP address and IP pointing option (usually known as the domains Zone Records).

There are many third party hosting companies to choose from and you can choose between them when referring to your requirements and budgets. Basic packages can be bought and upgraded. Hosting companies make a lot of money by selling un-used space. They will allow FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and provide a username and password in the hosting space. If you are not using a domain name registrar but another hosting company, Primary and Secondary DNS or Domain Name Settings will be needed.

MS Frontpage is a good place to start with web-design (it follows MSOffice format). The package is usually sold at a reasonable price and easy to obtain. Macromedia Dreamweaver is more professional and advanced however. It will only take a few minute to set up a website but it may take around two days for a new domain name and DNS changes to pick up on the worldwide DNS system.

Nathan Barham