Need help developing a website

[iridescentt]

I'm sorta' confused in this area so bare with me, ha.

If I were to create a website with a functioning discussion forum to go with it, in this case a SMF forum, what steps would I need to proceed with to make this happen? Its a low-scale website so nothing major. So its not like its a company website or anything like that. I'd need to be able to display information and implement a forum to go along with it.

So far I've gathered the following:

1) Purchase a domain name
2) Purchase web hosting - this is why I get confused.
3) Upload forum software to the web host server - FTP?
4) Install the forum software
5) Create website with relevant information and link to forum

I'd want my forum to be linked like this; ie. www.websitename.org.au/forums - by following this approach would it lead me to that conclusion?

At the moment I'm leaning towards going with WebCity (AU based), unless someone else can offer a good reccomendation. I'm leaning towards the Business Starter hosting pack. Is this what I need?

Help is appreciated!

 

[swacker]

Purchase web hosting - this is why I get confused.

One of the best hosting sites as far as I know is either Godaddy or Hostgator.

 

[ArcherMcKinley]

GoDaddy's prices are outrageous.

HostGator is perhaps the best option... last time I used it at least. As for a forum software, there's always Invasion or vBulletin.

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