Step by Step Guide to Signing up for Web Hosting on HostGator

There are many web hosting service providers online today.  However, I decided to use HostGator for their lower price, reliability and professional service.  A good web presence is critical for your business and that means having an excellent hosting service provider.  You want to be sure that your website is up and running all of the time and that you can update information anytime.  HostGator offers many excellent services including 24/7 online tech support!  Which I love so much!  Setting up your website is very easy.  I signed up my domain name on godaddy.com and I decided to sign up for hosting service with HostGator.com. 

HostGator offers four types of Hosting Service.  Depending on your need, you will select what type you need.  Most people chose Shared Web Hosting services.  However, if you have videos or own large online business, you would choose other hosting services.  HostGator offers 24/7 tech support and tools to get you started. 

Step 1:  Decide what type of hosting you need:

1)    Shared Web Hosting:  This is the service that is used by many website owners.  It gives you the online presence without problems.  If you own few websites, go with this one. 

2)    Reseller Web Hosting: If you are interested in owning your very own web hosting company, you would choose this hosting service.  You will be surprised at how easy and inexpensive to start your own web hosting company through HostGator.  HostGator provides 24/7 tech support and tools to get your business up and running.  All the reseller hosting plans will allow you to create unlimited websites under your own brand name, with their own prices, packages and features.  Unlike other web hosting companies, HostGator lets you keep the money you make.  Reseller Web Hosting allows you to:

·         Make money with your own web hosting business

·         Free Client Management and Billing Software

·         Free Site Building Tools and Templates

·         Free Enom Domain Name Reseller Account

3)    VPS Hosting:   This is an ideal bridge between shared hosting and dedicated servers.  HostGator’s Linux VPS Hosting allows you to customize to your needs and upgrade anytime as your site grows.  It gives you the flexibility to install advanced software and customize to your needs.  It will be great choice if you need to stream large media files and send large amounts of emails. 

4)    Dedicated Hosting:  If you own a large online business, then this is for you.  You can sell hosting services, and have the ability to customize their server settings.  Good for high-traffic sites, large customer database, etc. 

HostGator is that it allows you to upgrade or downgrade your hosting needs.  This is great because once you monitor you needs, you can change your plans.  HostGator is great about customizing your needs. 

Now that you have decided what type of hosting service you need.  Next you will decide on what types of plan you need.  I only have one domain name, so I chose Hatching Plan. 

Step 2:  Chose a Hosting Plan.  HostGator has 3 plans. 

1)    Hatchling Plan: Choose this plan if you have only one domain name or want only one website. 

·         Single domain

·         Unlimited bandwidth

·         Unlimited disk space

·         Shared SSL certificate

Price: starting at $3.96/month

2)    Baby Plan: It offers :

·         Unlimited domains

·         Unlimited disk space

·         Unlimited bandwidth

·         Shared SSL certificate

Price: starting at $6.36/month

3)    Business Plan:  

·         Unlimited domains

·         Unlimited disk space

·         Unlimited bandwidth

·         Free private SSL & IP

·         Free Toll Free Number

Price: starting at $10.36/month

Step 3: Start the order process

Now, you have selected what type of hosting you need and which plan will work best for you.  Continue to place your order.  Select the plan you wish to purchase.  I have chosen the Hatching Plan because I only have one domain name. 

If you don’t already have a domain name, you can register it with HostGator.  However, most people register the domain name with Godaddy.com and then use HostGator for web hosting.  It is really your choice.

Step 5: Enter your billing information

·         Double check that the right plan has been selected.

·         Using the drop-down, select how often you want to pay.  I chose 36 months because it is cheap.

·         Choose a username and security pin for your account. This will be your login information to login to HostGator website. 

• Enter your billing information.  Read carefully and fill in the required information.  You must enter a valid phone number because HostGator will call you to verify your account. 
• Select Credit Card or PayPal and enter the required information.
• Review your order details.  Make sure you have all the information. 
• Select the box to say you have read and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Click Create Account. You will be redirected to confirm your order.

There you go.  Now you have signed up for hosting service.  Enjoy your website!  Wasn’t that easy!