I have registered my domain name, what now?
I have Blue Host as my host, how do Iaccess my email?
How do I upload a picture or video to my website?
How do I register my domain name? First you will want to decide which registrar you want to use. There are many out there. One easy way to decide is to find a host that offers a free domain name with hosting. That way there is one provider for all your web stuff. My favorite host is Blue Host. Follow this link and click on "Sign Up Now". You get a free domain name with hosting! Their hosting is inexpensive and they give you a TON of space and more email addresses than you can use!
I have registered my domain name, what now? Registering your domain name is only the first step in the process to get your own website. The next thing you need to do is setup hosting. There are many hosts out there. My favorite host is Blue Host. Follow this link and click on "Sign Up Now". You get a free domain name with hosting! Their hosting is inexpensive and they give you a TON of space and more email addresses than you can use! If you get hosting at the same place you registered your domain name they will setup the domain name for you. If you have a different registrar than the company you are using for hosting you will need to setup the DNS at your registrar. This will tell internet browsers where to go when someone types in your domain name. Your host will usually send you an email when you sign up that will include the DNS. It will be a number that looks similar to this BLU.113.412. Locate the number(s) (usually 2) in the email then go to the place where you registered your domain name and enter that number. It can take up 24 hours for it to go through so you can access your website by entering your domain name in the url bar of an internet browser. If you're unsure about how to do this some hosts offer this as a free service when you sign up or I will do it for free when you purchase any of my web design packages.
I have Blue Host as my host, how do I access my email? Here is a great tutorial on how to setup your addresses from Blue Host on various email clients http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/kb/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&id=344. This tutorial is also very helpful. http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/kb/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&id=151. Blue Host also offers top notch customer support, if you're still having trouble contac them and they will help you out! Here is a LINK to their contact page.
How do I upload a picture or video to my website? You can either access your website via ftp or server control panel. Most hosts now days use cpanel. In cpanel there is a file manager. First you will need to log into the admin of your server. Then click on "File Manager". This will open a new window with a list of files and folders on the left. On the right are some functions that can be performed to files and folders. To place a picture or video on your server so that it may be accessed via your website you will want to click on the "www" or "public_html" folder icon. One of the biggest things I like to emphasize when doing web developement is organization. An organized server makes it much easier to locatet things. It also helps if your site ever gets hacked, it is easier to tell what you put there and what someone else may have uploaded, because you will know what and where everything is. If you don't already have a graphic or video folder you will want to create one. Toward the top of the list of files and folders there is a function called "Create Directory". To create a new folder you will first click on "Create Directory". In the upper right corner where the functions are located you will see a place to enter a name for your directory. Go ahead and name it accordingly. You won't want many folders on your server, so it's best to name them something fairly generic like graphics, or videos. After doing this you will want to click on the folder icon located next to your new directory that you just created. After you are taken to that directory click on "Upload File(s)" located near the top of the files and folders list. At the top will appear about 8 boxes and "browse" buttons. You will click on a "browse" button and navigate your computer till you find the file you would like to upload. Then click the "open" button on the navigator. This will place the file name in the corresponding box. When you have finished locating all the files you would like to upload, click on "Upload file" button. Now you can place a link to your picture or video on your website so that people can access it. If you want to use fpt and are using Blue Host, here is a tutorial on how to do this http://helpdesk.bluehost.com/kb/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&id=100. This tutorial written generically for any file type, but the same applies to pictures and videos.
I use Zen Cart as my shopping cart, how do I add product? First off, I love Zen Cart. It is very functional and can be customized to look EXACTLY like the rest of your site. Something that can be very important to have a successful online business. It has many features, including downloadable products. First you log into the admin of your Zen Cart. You will then put your mouse over "Catalog". Then go down the menu to "Categories/Products" and click on it. You will need to create a category first. Click on "New Category". Fill out the information and click "save". To add a product to that category you will click on the folder icon next to the category name. Then click "New Product". Fill out the information and click "preview" then click "insert" to create your product.