I got a part time business im starting. Id like to put up a site for before and after pictures. Id like to have my own URL what does something like this cost.
I know nothing is FREE but I just checking.

 

Try this to get you started in understanding how hosting works.

How to Choose a Free Web Hosting Service | PCMag.com

There are at least main things to focus on:
1) content (what you want to show or say on your site)

2) hosting (the place where you put your content and that provides the abiity fro others to see it)

3) domain name (this is the name of your web site - how people will find you)

As the article points out, you generally don't an excellent provider for all 3 at no cost. At some point you have to pay for better service/storage/ease of access. Also, don't be disappointed if you don't get alot of hits/traffic through your first versionof your web site. It really does take some know how and experience to see what works best. There are things like how to get recognized by the search engines (yahoo, google) so when people search a topic that you nme will actually show up on the list or even at the top! You can get started yourself but if you are looking for immediate success, pay for someone with experience to help you. My recommendation is to start slow by yourself (assuming you are not counting on the income the website might generate) and learn all about hosting a website. When you understand the terminology and concepts then you can have a discussion with a professional about the services they offer.

 

What pjaffe said. I do my own websites and use a not so free service. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, so with that in mind, you need to know if you can stand the pricing. My host will charge $x to host a 5 page site. More pages, more $, of course. I pay by the multiple years so it comes down a little in price. Then you have to pay yearly (or multiple years) for your domain name. Make sure you choose one that is short, sweet and directs people to YOU and not other groups. For instance, if you were Coca Cola, you wouldn't use coke.com (although they have a redirect if you type that in). Coke is a form of coal. It is a drug. So it could be confusing.

You will invariably get robo calls every week from scammers indicating they can move your website to the top of Yahoo and Google listings. Just hang up.

Aside from those costs, building the site is not too complicated. My host has templates that allow you to get started. You can, with time and experience, modify them as you go along to customize it for your needs. Another plus in doing your own site, is you can modify them at a whim. If you have someone else doing it, it could take a week for a change to take place.

Another good source is your local community colleges. Most will offer website hosting courses that will give better insight to the in's and out's.

 

I never have been too interested in a website of my own but I do know my ISP Verizon offered me a free website for my own personal use. I just ignored the website offer as I wasn't interested and I don't know if they offer it anymore. I would look for something like that though first but be warned if you start using a website intended for personal use only for a business your ISP will start charging for business use. One company I hear that helps with web hosting is Amazon.com but I know nothing about how much they charge but do know they can help process payments.

 

somebody told me Face Book can set you up a account you can put pictures and tell all about it.
I might just go that route..
im a older guy and I'm just not to swift on computer stuff setting stuff up..
My kids used to do it all but they long gone family's of there on to deal with.
They both live in another city far off

 

That is true you can set up a Facebook page and talk about your product but you still want it to look professional and there are people who can do that. Also there are companies as was said before that can set up a website for you and usually they will do both. May I ask though what you want to sell and how much of what you want to sell. If you set your sights too high your whole business could collapse and that is the reason I ask.

If you don't want to say in the open forum just pm me once and I will give you my advice. I am no business major but I helped a bit at my fathers gas station and have sold some things online since then. If it is in the open though you get better feedback and more voices so I encourage you to tell us in open forum. I started a Facebook group too so I can give you some pointers but my group doesn't sell anything so it will just be basic.

 

I think I would go the Facebook route. Not only is it free, but you can get instant feedback from your "followers" who "like" your page. And believe me, they will tell you when they don't like something.

However, Facebook does limit the amount of followers each post to your page reaches, and if you want to reach them all you have to pay. Still, it's a great way to test the waters.

Larry, may I suggest inmotion hosting? I don't work for them but I've had several sites with them over the past few years. No downtime. The price is right. Size, number of pages or hard drive space are not issues. Multiple addon domains, FTPs and email addy's are included.

 

Rick, thanks. I use Network Solutions, now,but will look into your suggestion.