looking for info on web hosting etc.

[radfringe]

a friend of ours is setting up a business and wants a website - he's asked for my assistance...

but I have some questions - so I'm asking for your assistance

--recommendations on where to get a domain name/cost
--recommendations on hosting/cost

he's providing family history productions - using movies/video/photos to document family geneology, and also offers duplication services -- so any suggestions as to where we should be looking for hosting of this type of business is appreciated

[kcr]

1. It sounds as if

He needs to look for someone with a generous bandwidth policy. And read the fine print -- I have noticed people saying "unlimited" when "unlimited" means "unlimited up to a certain point, then we charge you out the wazoo but dn't turn your bandwidth off"

[Ravenseye]

3. Exactly

if he's doing video and stuff like that bandwidth is the key for him. If that's the case anything that's a 15 a month, 25 a month deal is probably going to be only a temporary stopgap and eventually he's going to have to pay for more.

If it's a serious business and the bandwidth calls for it, I recomend Rackspace for getting your own server. 300 bucks a month or so and it's all yours. Still bandwidth restrictions but massive compared to the 20 a month types.

[HeeBGBz]

2. I use HostGator

Lots of extras in their Cpanel. I pay $15 a month and have had no problems. They have several options to choose from.

http://www.hostgator.com/shared.shtml