Do you offer web hosting?

GTP Designs does not directly offer web hosting. However, many of my clients host with my partner company New River Computing, which offers website hosting for $50/quarter ($200/year). This hosting fee includes maintenance and support for hosting related issues.

Can you explain domain names and website hosting?

Website hosting refers to the computer that "hosts" your website. Every website you visit is comprised of files that exist somewhere on a server. This server is your website's "host". When somebody types your domain name into a browser, information associated with your domain name directs your browser to the host computer that serves up your website.

It should be noted that having a domain name is NOT the same as having a hosting provided, although many domain name registrars also offer hosting plans. Your site's domain name is essentially a set of directions to where your site is hosted. After the files that comprise a site are uploaded to a host, the domain name is essentially edited to include the directions to where your site is located. Once this occurs, when somebody types your domain name into a web browser the browser will be taken directly to your website.

In order for your website to be viewed in the world wide web, you will need to have both a domain name and a host.

Can I host my website with another hosting provider?

Absolutely! You can host your website wherever you please. While a bulk of my clients are hosted through New River Computing, I have multiple clients who have sites hosted with various hosting providers.

Can I get an email addres setup with my website's domain name?

You sure can, but this is really more of a hosting issue than a design aspect. That being said, almost any reputable hosting provider out there will offer the option of email accounts with your hosting plan.