beginning_affiliates_domain_hostingIn this next series of posts I’m going to concentrate on a simple process that works well if you’re trying to learn affiliate marketing quickly.

In this post I’m going to outline what all beginning affiliate marketers need to know about buying a domain. I know this can be a confusing process if yoiu’ve never managed a website before, so I’ll try to break it down:

Aspects Involved in Buying a Domain

One of the most confusing things about domains and hosting is that most people are not consistent with the terminology they use. Many marketers, for example, will just say “get a domain” but not explain what that process actually entails. What they really mean is that you need a domain with a hosting plan.

Firstly, a domain ‘purchase’ isn’t really a purchase…it’s more like a rental. You can purchase domains year by year or as a multi-year package, but eventually you’ll need to renew the domain in order to continue “owning” it.

There is an organization called ICANN that manages domain allocations, and companies that sell domains to consumers like you are called ‘registrars.’

Once you buy the domain, the next step is to set it up with a hosting provider. There are tons of services out there, but it’s important to note that the act of setting up hosting should be straightforward. Your registrar will show you how to change A-Name and C-Name records to point your domain to servers.

The details are fairly technical, but think of it like this: once you buy a house (the domain), you need to tell the post office (hosting provider) where you live to get mail from your friends (website visitors). Make sense?

Where to Find Domains and Hosting

I have a separate page that lists a few domain and hosting reviews in more detail, but basically it comes down to a few core options.

For a domain purchase, you probably want to go with GoDaddy or Namecheap, since they are two of the oldest and most reputable domain registrars out there. Remember that the registrar service is not the most important part of setting up a new website; most registrars have similar services, and you generall only need to buy the domain from them, so don’t be fooled into purchasing too many “extras.”

For hosting, there’s a much wider pool of options. Dreamhost and Arvixe are two of my personal favorites, since they provide excellent service at an affordable price.

Remember that if you’re new to affiliate marketing, the most important thing is to find a provider that gets you up and running as quickly as possible. You don’t need a lot of the advanced options, like dedicated hosting, so your number 1 consideration should be one-click blog installation. For most, this will be an easy process that your hosting provider will guide you through.

For the most streamlined setup option available, you might want to go with Wealthy Affiliate. You’ll get awesome free training, research, and hosting options, as well as a great community. Hosting for two websites is included in the free version, while unlimited hosting is part of the premium package. Click here to read more about whether Wealthy Affiliate makes sense for you.

Starting an affiliate site is a rewarding and potentially lucrative endeavor, but it’s not a decision you should jump into unprepared. Read this article if you’re trying to decide if affiliate marketing is right for you, or else learn more about free learning options first. If you are interested in getting serious about affiliate marketing, you should click here to get access to the best free affiliate training out there!