Get a Server

After registering a domain name, you’ll require a server to host all the website files. Essentially, a server is a computer that is always connected to the internet and can broadcast services online.

Servers can be incredibly useful, even without hosting a website. They can provide various services, such as email and file-sharing. With your own server, you have the flexibility to create your own website, email, service, or other online services.

Getting a Virtual Private Server (VPS)

A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is a cost-effective and easy way to acquire a web server without having to purchase expensive equipment. There are many online businesses that operate large server farms with reliable internet connections, and they allow you to rent a VPS from their farm for a nominal fee.

Typically, a VPS costs around $5 per month, which is a reasonable price for internet real estate. With a VPS, you can host multiple websites and services, such as email, chat, and file-sharing, on a single server. This makes it a cost-effective option for individuals or small businesses.

One popular VPS provider is Digital Ocean, which offers a range of hosting solutions. Their services are easy to use and affordable, and they provide excellent customer support.

Starting your server in two minutes or less

Start an account on Digital Ocean and let’s get started.

VPS providers like Digital Ocean typically offer a range of options for your VPS such as the location and specifications of the server.

Server Location

The physical location of your server is not typically a critical factor in determining its performance. While having the server located closer to you or your audience may theoretically result in faster load times, hosting a server in a location distant from your audience will not necessarily result in a significant delay.

Operating System/Server Type

I highly recommend using Debian 11 as the operating system for your server. It’s a classic server OS, and all my guides on this site are based on Debian 11. However, if you decide to use a different OS, keep in mind that some instructions might need minor adjustments.

Server size

When it comes to choosing the server for your website, you have the option to select the level of resources you need. On Digital Ocean, I suggest going for the least expensive option that includes both IPv4 and IPv6 support.

Generally, web hosting and simple websites don’t require a significant amount of CPU power or RAM. However, if you plan to do more resource-intensive tasks beyond hosting web pages and an email server, you can always upgrade your plan on Digital Ocean without losing any data. Downgrading, on the other hand, is not as straightforward.

Setting Up Authentication

You have to set the password or else can give your ssh public key to the server for loging in.

After setting up the password you can set the server name (optional) and then you can create your cloud droplet/server in Digital Ocean

Done!

After selecting those settings, the server will automatically be deployed. Soon, you will be avle to view your server’s IP adresses, which will be used for the next step.