Update: Read the post after this about finding your "niche" before reading this post. Sorry, kind of took them out of order. 

Once you’ve got a plan and decided whether to build a website or a blog, you will need a domain name and webhost so people can find you. Many webhosts include the domain name for free with their hosting packages. I myself use Omnis.com because when I first started building websites, that is what the instructor used and recommended. Their webhosting is pretty cheap ($5.95) and they offer a free domain name. The things I like about Omnis are:

1. It’s extremely reliable. They are up they say 99.9% of the time. In all of the time I have used them, they have never been down that I know of. That is very important.
2. They give you Unlimited Storage
3. Unlimited data transfer, etc.
4. They offer the first 30 days free to try it out.
   

The things I don’t like about Omnis are

1. It uses a File Manager to manage the "behind the scenes" stuff. Most tutorials and programs that you will come across are set up to use a "C-Panel". For me, being a non-techy this has made some things harder than neccessary.
   
2. It has "site builder" as it’s website builder if you don’t want to build from scratch. It’s a really great and easy tool, but they only let you build 3 pages for free. You have to pay extra for more pages.
3. I don’t like their help program. It’s like an "open source" from around the web vs. being specific help program for Omnis.
4. They’re customer service isn’t very helpful and seem rather condescending if you don’t know what they know as far as how things work.

The original webhost that I was with when I took over my first website was Lunarpages. I was so inexperienced that I didn’t understand how to use a lot of the great stuff there and thought the C-Panel was very scary. I probably should have spent more time learning my way around. The thing I don’t like about Lunarpages is:

1. It sets limits on storage, etc. It’s quite a bit and they say you’ll never use it all, but I don’t like the idea if something goes extremely right and I get a ton of traffic, my site could quit or break down. I know the average website uses very little bandwidth etc.
2. They offer a 30 day moneyback guarantee vs. just letting you try it free for 30 days.

The things I like about Lunarpages are:

1. It has so very many useful and easy features.
2. It’s cheap, especially right now because they have a special going.
3. You also get a free domain name
4. It has the regular C-Panel vs. File manager which is usually easier to use with a lot of software programs and tutorials

Another Webhost that is making big onto the scene is Go Daddy. If you watch Nascar at all you’ve probably seen a lot of their ads as they sponsor a car. I really don’t know much about this service as I have never used it. I know their prices have gone up a bit since they’ve grown so much. Just be sure and compare services side by side to see what you’re getting for your money.

If you google "webhosting" or "domain names" I’m sure you will find a ton more. One tip I read recently is to not get your domain name and your webhost in the same place. I don’t know why this is, as I have never had a problem and you can move your domain to another webhost at any time you wish. (Verify that with whatever service you use).

Also, when choosing a domain name, stick with the .com. Most people are used to using it and it will keep your visitors from landing at another site by mistake.

Once you have your domain name and webhost, you are ready to upload your website files to your server and go live!