Buying a Hosting Package

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Buying a hosting package isn't different from buying something on the Internet, so if you ever bought anything online, you should be fine. You need to create an account, to provide some personal information, select the options and pay. There are a few aspects worth mentioning regarding the options you select. Not all companies have the same options or checkout procedure but they do have some things in common:

Domain Name.
You are asked for the domain name. If you don't have already registered one, you can usually get one for free from the host if you sign up for a minimum period of time. With some web hosts, free means "as long as you stay with them", and they might charge you extra for the domain name if you decide to move. We recommend that you register your own domain name with an ICANN accredited registrars like GoDaddy.com

Billing Cycle.
Usually the advertised price is for a 12 or 24 months contract. So, if you're considering signing for a shorter period of time, expect the monthly rate to be higher. But unless you're short on cash, a 24 months contract shouldn't be too expensive. This way you'll get the best price per month.

Additional features.
As we discussed in What to look for, when choosing a web host, some of the features are not standard. The most common choices that you will have to make include choosing between having and not having dedicated IP and choosing or not "non-standard" technologies like ASP, JSP.

Additional software.
Additional software packages are usually offered for free, but some of them are not. Some of them are offered only with a 24 months hosting plan, so if you need them, choose the right billing cycle.