1.  First, you need to purchase a domain name.  A domain name cost somewhere around $10 to $15.   The domain name becomes the web address for your web site. 

For instance, www.Expression-Web-Tutorial.com is a domain name that I purchased for my web site.   
 
How to Choose a Domain Name

Web Hosting

2.  You will also need Web Hosting. 

What is Web Hosting?  
When you buy web hosting, you are actually renting space on a server.  This is where your web site (web pages, images, videos, etc) will be stored until someone types your web address (domain name) into a web browser or finds your site in search engine results pages (SERPs)  -- either way, the browser tells the server, "hey, server, I need this page!"  The Server responds by retrieving the page and 'serves' it up to the browser. 

Of course, I simplified the entire example in order to keep this simple.  The point is, you need web hosting and a domain name.  Most web hosting providers will include the domain name in the pricing of the hosting. 

**So do not buy a domain name until you purchase hosting.

There are so many web hosting providers out there.  Who do I recommend?

I have had good experiences with Hostmonster,  Hostgator, and Blue Host.   What I like about these hosting providers: cpanel, and excellent customer support.  No problems with downtime. 

Excellent Traffic Stats.  Different Email platforms, included free.

Cpanel is the platform or user interface that you use when you are logged into your account.  It makes everything easy to find and easy to work with.  You can take a look at the cpanel demo on my site.  You will need to log in with demo as the username, and demo as the password.

Fantastico:  This is an entire suite of software add-ons that are free of charge and easy to install.  Do you want a forum?  No problem, and it's so easy to set up.  Just a few clicks here and there and you are off to the races.  Also Includes WordPress, Shopping Carts, Content Management like Joomla, Drupal.  Course Management like Moodle.  Realtors will like the Realty Add-on. 

Now I know some of you have a domain name already.  That's perfectly okay. 

For you folks, I will explain how to change the Name servers so that your domain name points to your web hosting.    Coming soon....