SoAustin.Net Options: Your Web Site

This page describes web site options at SoAustin.net.

So what does it mean to host a web site?

Two things are involved. The first is that physically, the files (bits) that make up your website are stored on our server, and that we set up the technical "stuff" that makes the information accessible to the computers on the Internet. The second is to give the site a name, so that users on the Internet can find it.

Our name? Or your name?

It's up to you. If you don't mind having your site name look something like yoursitename.soaustin.net, that's the cheapest way to go. Or, if you want to be fancy, we can help you set up a new (or transfer an existing) domain name, so it will look like e.g, yousitename.com. (This is what most people mean when they talk about hosting a domain, as opposed to hosting a website, as above.) For instance, we host both the website, and domain name, for lonesome.com, all on this same machine.

We don't charge extra for hosting your domain, but domains do cost money. There are a number of registrars that for, say, $18/year, will license you a domain name. We can do that for you and just pass the cost on to you if you like, or we can tell you how to do it. (All we ask in return is that you promise not to use Network Solutions.) (Note: since we don't control domain names, your choices are subject to availability --- but you don't have that restriction if you use our name.)

Still with us? Then let's go on to setting up and maintaining your web site.

Or, back to the SoAustin.net home page.