Web hosting advice please

[VJT]

Hi,
This is my first posting so please be gentle! I am looking to start an online business in the new year selling decorative accessories for the home but I am a complete novice when it comes to the technical side of things.
My past experience is selling through ebay but I would now like to have my own website. I have looked at various hosting packages and uk2net seem to offer what I need and I like the look of their site templates. Has anyone any experience of using them? Or have you any other recommendations?
Any other general advice about setting up would also be gratefully received.
Thanks:)

[Red Eye Media]

We'd be happy to help if required. My name is Richard and any am happy to answer any questions you have.

[PointandStare]

Your answers here will mainly be "choose us" but hopefully you'll be able to wade through the vultures and get some good replies.

My recommendation would be to invest in a quality, non-hosted online store, failing that try a hosted version but steer away from any 'free' offers if you're looking to hopefully expand your site.

[Dwebs-Ltd]

!! Removes Web Host Hat !!

Look at an ecommerce solution where you can install it on the host of your choice i.e. don't go for a package where you pay for a hosted solution but can't go elsewhere if you need to.

Plenty of shopping cart packages ZenCart, OsCommerce, OpenMind Commerce, CubeCart look through the options try the various demos and see what you like then look for hosting.

[Dawg]

VJT,
use the search function here to search 'hosting', 'ecommerce', 'ecommerce templates' and whatever else you can think of. It's really worth finding out about this before you spend any money, and there is a huge amount of info here. In particular I'd recommend that you take a couple of hours and read most of Paul at Awebaparts (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/member.php?u=9621) posts, as he is very knowledgeable, explains clearly and fairly, and will point you in the right direction.
A few hours reading now will save you a lot of time and money later.
HTH

(PS I have no connection whatever with Awebapart.)

[VJT]

Thanks for the advice so far. There seem to be so many options to choose from, I can see that this may take some time to get right!:|

[Burden]

Id recommend OpenHosting on here and also Chris / D Webs above :)

[alexandros24]

Hello we can help you with your hosting. contact me if you need any help

[Island Computer Repairs]

I would say:

For Hosting: www.ukhost4u.com (http://www.ukhost4u.com)

For an Ecommerce Site Install Cubecart: http://www.cubecart.com


Some sites I have made with cubecart are:

www.dnnsigns.co.uk (http://www.dnnsigns.co.uk)
www.wightcanvas.co.uk (http://www.wightcanvas.co.uk)

If you need free advice or have any questions please feel free to PM :)

[RJH Enterprises]

!! Removes Web Host Hat !!

Look at an ecommerce solution where you can install it on the host of your choice i.e. don't go for a package where you pay for a hosted solution but can't go elsewhere if you need to.

Plenty of shopping cart packages ZenCart, OsCommerce, OpenMind Commerce, CubeCart look through the options try the various demos and see what you like then look for hosting.

Echo this sentiment! There is a lot of good open source (free) software out there. The best of the bunch is my opinion is magento (http://www.magentocommerce.com/), but that is still in its infancy. The best "aged" software I would say is osCommerce (http://www.magentocommerce.com/).

If you do chose magento be warned that not every host can support it but they do provide a comprehensive list of requirements that you could give to prospective hosts to check before signing up.

When looking for hosting you will more than likely want a linux based server not a windows. You will need the latest version of php and mysql installed. Check with the hosts how much they will charge you for a dedicated IP and a private (not shared) SSL certificate, both of which you will want for online trading. Also as a word of warning try to avoid hosts that offer unlimited disk space and bandwidth - there is no such thing! Best to no exactly what the limits the host uses are before you part with money :)

Cheers
Rob

[ken_uk]

Also as a word of warning try to avoid hosts that offer unlimited disk space and bandwidth - there is no such thing! Best to no exactly what the limits the host uses are before you part with money
Why do you offer unlimited sites and unlimited bandwidth on your hosting site then?

[RJH Enterprises]

Why do you offer unlimited sites and unlimited bandwidth on your hosting site then?

Erm I don't! I offer unlimited domains as I don't care how many you have. Obviously you can only have as many as will fit in your diskspace but in theory you could point an unlimited number of domains at 1 domain therefore not use all your diskspace! - This was not what I advised the OP to avoid I said unlimited diskspace and bandwidth!

Where on my site do I offer unlimited bandwidth?

In future please read my post and get your facts right before posting!

Thanks
Rob

[ken_uk]

http://www.rjh-enterprises.com/

Bottom left, and bottom middle boxes.

Unlimited Sites
Unlimited Bandwidth

Thats on the main page.

You may have limits further on, but if the main page offers unlimited bandwidth, and its not true then its just wasting peoples time, and a false offer.

I do note that you are a sneaky ****** as you have just altered your site to remove the unlimited bandwidth that you claimed on the main page.

But you cant hide the truth, and I have my facts right, google can verify this as anyone can see - your page with the claim is cached at the following link

http://216.239.59.132/search?q=cache:SCeBpboZXgQJ:www.rjh-enterprises.com/+http://www.rjh-enterprises.com/&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk

Its one thing to make fake claims, but to then call me a liar, and to then try to cover up to make yourself look innocent, thats pretty disgusting really.

You should be ashamed.