This may sound a bit green, but I am currently having a website designed by a company. It will be a large database driven website, where people can send information etc. Once complete, I want to get it up online with a web host.

Some things I don't understand are.

1. Once the website is complete should the company forward me a copy of the website on a disc or can they just upload it to the web host I specify?
2. If I get a disc how do I upload it to a website?
3. How much web space should I go for with a new site and is it easy enough to upgrade a plan?
4. Should you use a web host in your own country, is there any advantage?
5. How do I get a back up copy of the site once online? My fear is the site will constantly change and I don't just want the site to exist on the web I need to have a hard copy should something go wrong.

Any helpful advice most welcome.

Thanks

Originally Posted by code1999

This may sound a bit green, but I am currently having a website designed by a company. It will be a large database driven website, where people can send information etc. Once complete, I want to get it up online with a web host.

Some things I don't understand are.

1. Once the website is complete should the company forward me a copy of the website on a disc or can they just upload it to the web host I specify?
   
   the company should give you a copy on disc if you request it. they would also upload it for you to any hosting off your choice. some design compaines offer the web hosting as well so i would enquire about it with them.
   
2. If I get a disc how do I upload it to a website?
   
   if its on a disc simply copy it from the disc to your computer and then use a ftp program to upload it. here is a list off free ftp programs.
   
   http://www.coffeecup.com/
   http://www.coreftp.com/
   http://www.smartftp.com/
   
   all these programs will come with manuals should you ever need help. but they easy to use. and easy to pick up on.
   
3. How much web space should I go for with a new site and is it easy enough to upgrade a plan?
   
   first off all you need to figure out how big your site is and what is requires. 90% off web hosting compaines will allow you tp upgrade if your starting to out gorw your hosting package. this is a simple task for the hosting company to preform and you wont notice any down time.
   
4. Should you use a web host in your own country, is there any advantage?
   
   depending on what country you wish to target i would suggest finding a hosting company most closest to it. alot off servers in the US will be fast and easy to access from any location so keep that in mind.
   
5. How do I get a back up copy of the site once online? My fear is the site will constantly change and I don't just want the site to exist on the web I need to have a hard copy should something go wrong.

Any helpful advice most welcome.

it is always good to choose a host that backs up's there server every day this will ensure your site is safe. there is alot off free applications that will back up your website from your own desktop. this will ensure you have a fresh copy each whenever needed. please checkout this applications:

http://krakjoe.info/mod/abmcpb/
http://www.cpsitesaver.com/?hop=aunclimb
http://www.tech-pro.net/site-backup-cp.html

Thanks

hope tihs will help you

Thanks scottm

Some great advice.

1) This is really something you should ask the design company about. Most have a standard delivery policy for jobs once they're completed.

2) Uploading the files from a disk or even from your hard drive is just a matter of using any FTP program you're comfortable with. Also, most hosts have some form of uploading capabilities within the customer's control panel as well, however FTP is typically faster.

3) If it's not provided when you receive your new design, you should request that the design company provide you with a list of recommended specifications on hosting disk space, database and any other software requirements. From reading your posting I'm under the impression that this isn't just a website design you're having made, but a full web application? They should provide you with information on the requirements for running it with a host upon delivery.

4) It depends on your country and the hosting options available there, as well as your hosting requirements (see above). If your site is going to require some special software or database server than you may not have local options. The best bet is to look into several hosts both locally and not, ask them about any questions you have and requirements you need to get a sense of their support levels (remember that the less you know the more important it is to have a host with quality support that is readily available to help you), and also test the speeds of some other sites they're already hosting to see how fast they respond in your area.

5) Most hosts will provide some form of backup service, as well as the ability for you to download frequent backups for yourself too. This is the best option, there's simply no substitute for having a recent copy of your own site and database(s) backed up on your own hard drive in case of an emergency. This is especially true with databases. If you pick a host who uses cPanel this process is as simple as a single click for you to download an entire, up to date, compressed archive of your site and database(s) as often as you want/need to ensure you have a good backup saved on your own hard drive.