Hi, just want to know if you've got any recommendations on good web hosting packages... basically I want to upload files and test/preview new designs and stuff. Mainly front end so maybe need SSI, web form processing...

 

I don't have a domain name yet so I don't want to pay for this - is it possible to get web space without a domain name?

Web space and domain names are separate, so you can just get hosting.

 

Many hosting providers who use Apache/Linux with cPanel will be able to provide mod_userdir where you can access an account on preview path like so:

 

/servername.com/~cPanelusername/

 

If you check with your preferred hosting providers that they offer this, then you're fine.

 

The other option is to buy a really cheap domain - for UK, a .uk domain is pretty cheap and that would of course work with all providers.

A .co.uk domain is less than £7 for two years. Bite the bullet and pay for it.

Thanks for replies. If I get .co.uk domain, does that mean I have to settle on a specific name now e.g. 'websitename.co.uk' or can I choose one later (and still use the web space).

If I get .co.uk domain, does that mean I have to settle on a specific name now e.g. 'websitename.co.uk' or can I choose one later (and still use the web space).

 

You can usually change the domain on the web space (confirm with you preferred hosting provider) but you cannot modify the domain name you bought. So the hosting is flexible, but the domain name once paid is not.

 

If you buy domainA.co.uk now, you can usually change it later on the web space to domainB.co.uk. You'd then be paying for 1 web hosting package, but for 2 domain registrations.

Should you really not want to purchase a domain name, you can pick a random name out of your head, add it as an add-on domain in the hosting company's admin panel, and then point your local hosts file to your hosts IP address for that domain.

 

For example, add

 

anonstestdomain.co.uk as an addon domain, and within C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts on WIndows, or /etc/hosts on *nix add;

 

#YOURHOSTSIP   YOURDOMAINNAME
192.168.1.10 anonstestdomain.co.uk

 

This will send all requests for anonstestdomain.co.uk coming from your computer to your hosts IP, which should then be captured by your vhost, and the site wont be accessible to anyone else unless they know your made up domain and hosts IP.

 

Great for testing

I use tsohost and highly recommend them. No domain is needed, however like RD says, for the sake of a few quid it would be a worthy investment in yourself.

Thanks for your time guys. Maybe I'll just think of a decent domain name just to keep things simple!

For static sites you can use dropbox. No SSI though, but I thought I should share anyway for those that only need a very simple static site.

 

Here's how:

• upload all the files to a public folder in Dropbox
  
• access the home html (doesn't have to be index) with it's public link (something like http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7012/file.html)
  
• enjoy
  

as I know, almost any hosting provides also alternative url for your page.

So even if you don't have or don't want to have your personal domain and pay for it every year, you can just use alternative link from your hosting provider.

That's quite simple and free.