Most web hosting providers will setup up your hosting account for you. If you have custom requirements it is not included in standard web hosting plans, but for your average website or blog on a shared web hosting account (most common form of web hosting) your control panel will be setup for your after ordering. Many hosting providers offer instant setup. This means that you can transfer files to your account or install software right away. You can access your website with an FTP program (file transfer protocol) such as Filezilla (arguably the best free FTP software). From your FTP software you can transfer files directly to your server.
Your host will also provide access to a control panel (such as Cpanel or Plesk). You may want to install a CMS (content management system) such as Wordpress or another website builder on your site instead. In that case you will have less need for FTP software since you will add pages and upload files directly from the CMS control panel.
If your order did not include a domain name, you need to order a domain name seperately either from the web host or from a domain name provider. It is often recommended to buy hosting and domain names separately as rogue web hosts could potentially take your domain "hostage" and force you to continue hosting with them. You want to check out tems and conditions if you choose to buy your domain name from your hosting provider.
If you buy your domain name from a different company you will need to change the nameservers of the domain to the nameservers provided by your web host. This is very easy to do. Typically your web host will send you the nameserver information after you order. When you buy your domain name, you should be able to log in your account and change the nameservers yourself.
It is possible that you can still find domain name registrars who don't offer a control panel where you can manage your domain(s), but you really want to order from an established company that does provide this. We use dotster.com or targetdomains.com.
Once you have done that, you should be all set. It may take a while for the namerserver change to take effect. You won't be able to access your website by entering the domain in your browser until the nameserver change has gone through. If you did it right all you can do is wait. Sometimes it can happen in as little as a few minutes, and sometimes it will take much longer.
Most web hosting providers will setup up your hosting account for you. If you have custom requirements it is not included in standard web hosting plans, but for your average website or blog on a shared web hosting account (most common form of web hosting) your control panel will be setup for your after ordering. Many hosting providers offer instant setup. This means that you can transfer files to your account or install software right away. You can access your website with an FTP program (file transfer protocol) such as Filezilla (arguably the best free FTP software). From your FTP software you can transfer files directly to your server.
Your host will also provide access to a control panel (such as Cpanel or Plesk). You may want to install a CMS (content management system) such as Wordpress or another website builder on your site instead. In that case you will have less need for FTP software since you will add pages and upload files directly from the CMS control panel.
If your order did not include a domain name, you need to order a domain name seperately either from the web host or from a domain name provider. It is often recommended to buy hosting and domain names separately as rogue web hosts could potentially take your domain "hostage" and force you to continue hosting with them. You want to check out tems and conditions if you choose to buy your domain name from your hosting provider.
If you buy your domain name from a different company you will need to change the nameservers of the domain to the nameservers provided by your web host. This is very easy to do. Typically your web host will send you the nameserver information after you order. When you buy your domain name, you should be able to log in your account and change the nameservers yourself.
It is possible that you can still find domain name registrars who don't offer a control panel where you can manage your domain(s), but you really want to order from an established company that does provide this. We use dotster.com or targetdomains.com.
Once you have done that, you should be all set. It may take a while for the namerserver change to take effect. You won't be able to access your website by entering the domain in your browser until the nameserver change has gone through. If you did it right all you can do is wait. Sometimes it can happen in as little as a few minutes, and sometimes it will take much longer.
