Question about Web Hosting

I'm brand new to creating a website and I'm in the process of starting my first. I've just been looking around and making sure I know what I'm doing before I jump into anything.

If anyone can help me me out with this I would appreciate it:
Do you have to get web hosting from the same place you purchased your domain name? Because I was wondering if I'm able to buy my domain name at godaddy and get web hosting from webair. I just wanted to know if that would be possible (or recommended). The reason I wanted to do this is because the domain name is cheapest at godaddy but I keep hearing how much better webair is as a hosting site.

 

The short answer is no.

You could host with anybody you like but having only one provider for both domain name & hosting provides you a single point contact & less hassles.

 

So it's better to either get the domain AND hosting from either godaddy or webair but you don't recommend to mix/match between the two?

 

I agree with rsinfo on this,

Although technically there should be nothing to stop you mixing and matching, if you encounter any problems you could be caught in a catch 22 situation...

The host blaming the provider and vice versa, using only one company kills that argument straight away.

FWIW if you want to play before you buy and your site isn't too busy (eg keep it amongst a select group of friends/colleagues whilst testing) you could use a free service such as dyndns.com and host the site yourself.

I done exactly the above for a couple of years for our local computer group with very few problems. Obviously you'd need to keep your server running 24/7 but it's perhaps worth considering.

 

do you recommend any particular webhosts?

 

Agreed, but some of these companies will try anything

One point of contact is better IMO unless you're making a significant saving.

EDIT: VaCcArO (I hate it when users mix case like that ) anyway, just to be clear my comment above has nothing to do with the companies you have named. I have never heard of them and cannot say whether or not they'd engage is such dubious tactics)

As far as recommendations go, it all depends on your needs (bandwidth/reimbursement for downtime etc) and TBH I'm not experienced enough in the field to offer any suggestions.

 

ahh, I read Tony's post a little too late. I just bought my domain name from Godaddy because I wanted to make sure I had it before anyone else (not that I think it would've been gone anytime soon, but it's a very good name nonetheless). I also had discount codes to use for godaddy so I have the name for 1 year for $7. All in all I'm glad I did because now the domain name is mine all mine muahahaha.

Right now I'm trying to learn all I can about web hosting and be well-informed before I jump into anything else.

 

Has anyone else ever heard of Host Gator? I heard they were one of the best for web hosting. I may use them. Also, do you recommend that I get a web host package now or should I wait until after I have created my webpages first?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

I have to disagree. It is not that hard to use a separate hosting company especially with godaddy. Plus, godaddy hosting is not that good. They are a great registrar though. I like hostgator. A Small Orange is very good too. All you have to do is sign up with hostgator,, etc. They will give you instructions on changing your DNS. Very easy.