Beginner Questions

[arex]

Greetings, I am a super green beginner looking to host my first web site. I have some experience working on web applications, but none with hosting my own. I have a website that I'm working on currently, hosted on my own computer using iis7. I'm almost at the stage where I want to put it out there, and have it hosted.

I'm unsure of what to do first, and how to do it. It sounds like I need to purchase the domain name I want from somewhere, but not here because I need to be the "administrator" of it myself? And then I need to transfer that domain to a hosting site (like this one), which costs extra on top of the registration? And then I need to copy my site here, which sounded simple enough (using copy website). And then there's the issue of copying the sql server database and making sure it's still connected to my site.

That sound's like the procedure, but I'm lacking the details. I'm a complete noob at this process. Can someone give me some guidance?

This looks like a good site based on reputation, but I am a bit concerned about the lack of telephone support, especially because I'm inexperienced and I might want to talk to someone. I'm hoping someone can alleviate my concerns and get me started.

Thanks,
Alex

PS: I should clarify that this is using asp.net 3.5, and I'm using it as a blog site for myself and friends, but also as a learning site for myself. So it's simple right now, but I plan to add ajax and javascript frameworks for some neat graphical effects later on.

Also, I'm using free Microsoft tools to make my site. Visual web developer 2008 express, and sql server 2008 express. Would this cause any problems with deployment?

[mjp]

You sound like you have all the bases covered. The best thing to do would be knock down the issues one at a time.

It sounds like I need to purchase the domain name I want from somewhere, but not here because I need to be the "administrator" of it myself? And then I need to transfer that domain to a hosting site (like this one), which costs extra on top of the registration

We do not insert our name as administrator of your domain. Your name will be on all the contacts except "technical," where we will be listed. But you have full ownership of your domain.

If you register the domain with us, it will automatically be associated with your account here. If you register it elsewhere, all you have to do is set the domain's name servers to:

ns1.discountasp.net
ns2.discountasp.net
ns3.discountasp.net

There is no fee to do that at your registrar (at least none that I know of).

Then you'll need to set up the account here and order the database add-on if you're going to use a database. We don't support SQL Express directly, but you can attach your SQL Express database to the SQL database here. You can find out more about that here in the forum or in our Knowledge Base (http://support.discountasp.net/KB/root.aspx) when the time comes.

Just try getting those things out of the way and then you can come back if you have trouble transferring the site.

[arex]

Thanks for the reply. I have a couple of follow up questions:

1. So could I essentially just make a copy of my database, and put it on your server? And could I then back it up by copying it back to my computer for archiving?

2. The domain name registrar I was looking at offered a service where they mask my information on the domain registry. So instead of my name, phone number, email address etc. Someone looking up my registration would see their information, not mine. It's called "whois" I think. They said this prevents junk mail, improves privacy etc. Does discountAsp offer this type of service?

[mjp]

So could I essentially just make a copy of my database, and put it on your server?Basically. But not exactly.

If you were using SQL 2005 or 2008 at home, yes. But SQL Express databases have to be attached to a SQL 2005 or 2008 database. It adds an extra step to uploading or backing up the database, but it's manageable.

Someone looking up my registration would see their information, not mine. It's called "whois" I think. They said this prevents junk mail, improves privacy etc. Does discountAsp offer this type of service?It's called "private domain registration," and no we don't offer it at this time.