Website and Facebook Question

[walkerlawncare09]

First off I dont know if I picked the right topic to post this in. But here goes. I am trying to find a place to host a website and I have no idea where to begin with it. What do you all suggest? Does having a website w/ just starting up really help out or should you build before doing a website? And as far as Facebook goes, how do you all go about getting a possible client list built up on there? Adding people you know and having them suggest people or find local people and start adding everyone? thanks for any help. Eric

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Funny. I was just thinking of starting a thread on the subject of web hosting. I know nothing about websites/hosting. I've been looking into it over the last week, and the only thing I can suggetst is that you read the fine print - IF there IS fine print. I've noted that many of the great "deals" offered on hosting sites are just "fist month" or "first year" prices. ONLY $3.49/mo!!! Yeah, if you sign up for a three year contract, AND you pay it all up front. (Just one example - not all like this) So far, I'm looking at ipage and Hostgator. I was considering 1and1, but someone suggested staying away from them. Whoever you look at, ASK QUESTIONS first. I've found that none of the ones I've looked at have pricing info anywhere that can be found. I think it's very deceptive, but seems to be "the norm". It's all so confusing. Here's a web hosting "review" site.

[The Cleaning Doctor]

The majority of hosting providers are resellers of registrar services.

Personally I host all my sites at GoDaddy. If they are not on the list of registrars for ICANN I would skip them. Just my preference.

As far as when to build the site, why wait to build later because it is a tool for you to build your business. As far a ROI it is the best advertising method that you can use.

[walkerlawncare09]

thats alot of the problems I was running into, I did see a few w/ prices like $499 for basic package and went all the way up to $3000 for the premium stuff...

I will take a look at the places you put on here and see what they are like. thanks for the info


What about web designs, did you go with a template or have someone do that for you?

[Steve]

And as far as Facebook goes, how do you all go about getting a possible client list built up on there? Adding people you know and having them suggest people or find local people and start adding everyone?

I know we talk about facebook quite a bit on here but is anyone tracking their calls to see if any are coming in due to their facebook site?

[The Cleaning Doctor]

I can confirm that facebook works. I just put Search Engine Tweaks.com online and I have already gotten requests for SEO services through my site from facebook friends.

[walkerlawncare09]

What is the Tweaks.com and how does that work?

[The Cleaning Doctor]

LOL here is the link.... http://www.searchenginetweaks.com

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by The Cleaning Doctor

The majority of hosting providers are resellers of registrar services.

Personally I host all my sites at GoDaddy. If they are not on the list of registrars for ICANN I would skip them. Just my preference.

As far as when to build the site, why wait to build later because it is a tool for you to build your business. As far a ROI it is the best advertising method that you can use.

Forgive my noobness, but if one is a "REseller, I assume that makes them sort of a "middleman". If I want to skip the middleman, who do I buy hosting from?
Or does it not matter if I use a hosting reseller?

I don't know what the "list of registrars for ICANN" MEANS, but I Googled it and found this.
What makes these hosting services more desirable than those not on this "list"?

Any insight would be appreciated.

FYI I need to register a domain name as well, so I was figuring I'd wait until I decide on a hosting provider to use and do it all at the same time.
I note that some offer free domain reg. with hosting services, and when reading the fine print, it sounds complicated to transfer domain registration from one hosting provider to another. (But that's just my take on it as a web noob)

[Growing Green]

I hosted through godaddy and then got the website through weebly.com. Only $3.99 a month and they provide templates and it was very easy to create website.

Matt