It is much simpler to set up the server to handle anonymous FTP and SSL encryption if the server has got a dedicated IP address. And this is possible in case of dedicated web hosting only. Well, it is possible however it is much more difficult in the case of Shared Web Hosting. Hence, one can make a choice her as well.
As a result of choosing the right web hosting, you don't have to worry about having your website up and running anymore. You already have that part settled so you can relax and focus on building your website.
Which all brings me back to what is Affordable Web Hosting? I have my pages hosted at GVO and I pay a higher monthly cost than if I used certain other cheaper hosts.
So, you have a name, a plan and a place for your site to live. Finally, it is time to start designing! The choice here is to try to build yourself, "self-build", or find a professional to do the job for you. A half way house some use is to find a family member or friend who dabbles in web design and will do the job for as little as a case of beer. I would strongly advise against this route as the design process can be quite intense and is apt to place some strain on any personal relationship if significant redrafting is needed or the design is not all you had hoped for. If your first designer is not up to the project you can fire them and move on. Letting go of a family friend can present far more issues.
Check out the web hosting company customer support. The quality often varies between hosting companies. All hosting providers claim to have superior customer support, but most of the time; this is just not the case. You might want to contact current and past customers, and ask about their experiences. Most Shared Web Hosting UK hosts have community forums and online support options. Check these out as they may give you some insight as to the quality of the support you may receive.
Where do I buy a domain name? Don't worry. Nowadays, many hosting providers will give you free domain name just to sign up with them. But if you like to build many websites, then you will need to register domain names. I would suggest Moniker, Godaddy etc...
Today most web hosts are very efficient and your domain (if new) can be accessible almost immediately. The hosting company will send you an email with your access information and password. You can then begin to upload your files to your web site and be assured of affordable and dependable web hosting, which is what we are ultimately after.