In part one I mentioned PHP, MySql and Apache. Please, to avoid headaches and disappointment later make sure that the servers are updated with latest versions of this software. Even if they supply a one click install of WordPress, it’s up to you to install any plugins that you could get for it. Some of these plugins might only work if you have the latest PHP or Apache installed. So just because the platform(I.E. WordPress)that you want to use for blogging will work, it doesn’t mean that all addons or plugins will.
Most providers will include some sort of admin panel so that you could access all of the features that you are getting like one click installs and PHP/Apache/MySql and database management. The most popular is cPanel with Plesk probably the next most popular and then some providers have their own versions of an admin panel. Make sure that you have one of these. It makes life a lot easier when it comes to administering your databases or accessing your PHP or Apache settings. Most providers also offer something called Fanatastico which does the one click installation of many different scripts. (Programs such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, phpBB3 and many others are called scripts). So don’t get confused if you see the word scripts substituted for programs. Fantastico unfortunately does not keep up with the latest versions of these scripts as well as some others. In my experience Fantastico lags behind by as much as a few months. Another one click installer that some providers offer is called SimpleScripts, and SimpleScripts is updated weekly even daily sometimes. In the past 6 weeks WordPress released the beta versions of the next full release. SimpleScripts offered these for download on the day that the different versions were released. And today WordPress 2.7 is available for installation. As of this writing Fantastico is still only offering WordPress 2.6.5. Some providers offer their own versions of these panels and one click installers and from what I have seen some are outstanding. The ‘but’ here is that these providers are the most expensive ‘but’, they offer some of the best services and performance.
My recommendation is this. If this is your first time venturing into the world of web development and your not even sure what your going to do with it, then I recommend getting the least expensive provider that you can with the features I mentioned above. I use Hostmonster and I have been very happy with the services that they provide. Tech support is excellent and thus far there has been no down time. Two others you might want to take a look at are DreamHost and MediaTemple. Both have very good reputations and are in the top 5 lists of some reputable reviews.
Which ever host you choose, I wish you all the best and hope that you have a very successful venture. Check back often as I will be publishing a series of articles and tutorials on building and designing websites and blogs. Subscribe to my feed to stay up to date and I will be offering a newsletter shortly.
Happy blogging!