Any advice on domainname and web hoster please

[den]

Hi, i have been ofered as a gift a web page via a company called zenfolio,(kids xmas present) i believe i can purchase a domain name and then use the zenfolio account i get to put my photos on,....problem is i have know idea how it all works , i have done a search and i can get a domain name for two years with my name etc,i would apreciate it if any one could give me a idea of how i go about it and how easy or difficult it is ,as i am not that computer literate when it comes to new areas of the web , Thanks

 

[arad85]

It's unlikely you'll be able to use a custom domain name with Zenfolio on a free page. Looking here: http://www.zenfolio.com/zf/help/presenting-and-customizing-pages/using-your-own-custom-domain-name it seems to be able to use Zenfolio with a custom domain name, you need to be on a paid package.

The way it works is you buy a domain name at a domain name registration service and then point the domain name registration service name servers at your web hosting name servers. That way, when an address lookup happens, the response to which web address you need to go to comes from your web hosting companies servers. Buying your domains from a domain registration service and hosting independently (even if at the domain registration service) is always the most flexible solution - even if it isn't the cheapest (some hosting packages include the domain name, but then it may cost you to move it to a different provider if you decide you don't like your current one).

Personally, I buy my domains from 123-reg and I host with unlimitedwebhosting.co.uk as I can serve a number of domains very cheaply from the one account. Other providers may provide a cheaper overall package if your needs are different though.

 

[ShoeQueen]

It's unlikely you'll be able to use a custom domain name with Zenfolio on a free page. Looking here: http://www.zenfolio.com/zf/help/presenting-and-customizing-pages/using-your-own-custom-domain-name it seems to be able to use Zenfolio with a custom domain name, you need to be on a paid package.

I don't think the OP is referring to a free page, they're being bought a Zenfolio page as a gift - though I think it does depend which package you get as to whether you can use your own domain name, not sure you can do it on the basic package etc.

Hi, i have been ofered as a gift a web page via a company called zenfolio,(kids xmas present) i believe i can purchase a domain name and then use the zenfolio account i get to put my photos on,....problem is i have know idea how it all works , i have done a search and i can get a domain name for two years with my name etc,i would apreciate it if any one could give me a idea of how i go about it and how easy or difficult it is ,as i am not that computer literate when it comes to new areas of the web , Thanks

You'll be glad to hear that Zenfolio is very beginner friendly. I had no idea how to set up a webpage, get a domain name etc - and even I managed to have a Zenfolio site set up, with several pages, online galleries, opening slide show etc, in a couple of hours.

You don't need a domain name to start off with - you can have a Zenfolio address - if you do then want to use your own domain name as Andy has explained above (and if you have a package which allows that) then there are detailed instructions on the Zenfolio site as to how to do that.

I bought my domain name through 1and1 and a friend helped me with setting it as my site name for Zenfolio, but I could have done it myself and there are Zenfolio forums to ask on if you need help with anything.

I've had my Zenfolio site for a few weeks now and have been having a lot of fun with it - enjoy your new site!

 

[arad85]

I don't think the OP is referring to a free page, they're being bought a Zenfolio page as a gift - though I think it does depend which package you get as to whether you can use your own domain name, not sure you can do it on the basic package etc.

Ahhh... that makes more sense. The page I linked to says:

This feature is only available if you subscribe to the Unlimited or Premium plan

 

[den]

Thanks for the help, have i got this correct,if i buy a domain name *******photography.co.uk for example , and if the package allows i can use that on my zenfolio page , if not then i will get one from zenfolio . I wil do some more reading on the zenfolio site ,i am just not familiar with web hosts and domain names and how best to use them,i just got a link from my wife showing the zenfolio site and the link were you can purchase as a gift ,which i think is a good ide as a present from my kids and i would love to know how to get the best from it so i can use it correctly .

 

[arad85]

Thanks for the help, have i got this correct,if i buy a domain name *******photography.co.uk for example , and if the package allows i can use that on my zenfolio page

If your package allows, it means when you type in http://www.*******photography.co.uk you will be presented with the site hosted by Zenfolio but looking like it is yours and your domain.

if not then i will get one from zenfolio

If not, you will get something like http://densphotos.zenfolio.com

 

[den]

Thanks for the quick response, i have my own domain name already, i think it's now a question of what package and learning how to upload photos ,sizing etc.

 

[ShoeQueen]

You can use your own domain name on all but the very basic packages.

Uploading is really easy - you can simply drag and drop from a windows folder. You can then move them all around, its just like using folders with thumbnails. (You can also mark them as private so only you can see them if you're not ready to have them for public view.)