QuickLinks

Non-University Hosting Site

A hosting site is a website that allows you to store your Web pages or create your website on their server. There is a wide range of host providers and several options for creating and storing your site with a host provider. In addition, there are many free hosting sites as well as paid hosting sites. Here is some basic information about hosting on a server outside of Regent.

Hosting Choices

Using Free Sites

You must be careful when using free sites. Make sure you are familiar with the Terms of Service (TOS). Some sites have a hit or update requirement in order to keep the service.

Free Sites will put ads on your portfolio. You cannot usually control what ads go on your site. If you do not want unsightly or even embarrassing ads on your website, you may not want to choose a free site to store your work.

Fee-Based Hosting Sites

There are many, many for-payment hosting sites. There is also a large difference in the quality of service, hosting and cost depending on the host you choose. Hostek and Network Solutions are two hosting providers that have a record of good service and reasonable fees. For a basic website at Hostek you will pay $5.00 a month.

Website Creation Options with Host Providers

Make Your Site

You can use a program which is not connected with the hosting site to make your ePortfolio. Dreamweaver is an example of a website creation program. These programs can be costly and usually require knowledge of html. However, you can have full control over the look of your site and you can add as many pages and links as you want.

Use Host Provider's Wizard or Templates

Some hosting sites have a Wizard you can use to easily make your website without knowledge of html. The program will take you through the website creation process step by step. This option is often expensive with some providers charging as much as four times higher than average for this service as compared to the amount paid for creating your site yourself and uploading it to the host provider.

Benefits and Disadvantages

Pros:

• When you finish your program you do not need to move your website
• You can have a customized domain name like "www.johnsmith.com"
• You will opften receive relatively good technical assistance when creating your website

Cons:

• You may have to pay a monthly or yearly fee.