If you are ready to take the plunge and create your own website, using something other than a free webhost such as Blogspot, then you need two things: a domain name and a web host. The domain part is relatively simple and inexpensive: there are dozens of decent registrars, and purchasing a
domain is incredibly cheap. For example, each name that I purchase only sets me back (at most) $9.00 per year. And once you have a domain, it’s done: you don’t have to do anything about it until it is time to renew.

But when it comes to hosting your domain and site, well…then things can get a little confusing and even bewildering. If you have a friend that recommends a web hosting service - and you trust that person - then making your choice might be simple. But for a “newbie” who doesn’t have a tech-savvy friend, then choosing a web host can be overwhelming.

That’s where Web Hosting Choice comes in. It’s a free, searchable database of scores of web hosts, and you can customize your search according to your needs, such as by cost, setup fee, storage, bandwidth transfer, etc. The layout of the site is simple, too: the main page that greets you features a simple “Quick Search.” For more detail, you can use the Advanced Web Host Search, which allows you to select the features that are important to you: PHP, ASP, mail, payment options, uptime, etc.

The site also offers some good tips - FAQs about web hosting in general, scams to look out for, and a “quick start” guide to get you going.

Overall, I’d give Web Hosting Choice a thumbs-up: it is simple to use, full of features to help you decide, and delivers just what it promises. Wish it had been around back in 2000 when I began using hosting services!