Field notes
Guides
Plain-English help for getting a project online — choosing a name, picking hosting, and understanding what the big marketplaces really charge. No jargon, no account needed.
How to choose a domain name that works
The handful of rules that separate a name people remember from one they mistype.
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How much hosting do you actually need?
Shared, VPS or managed — a plain-English way to pick without overpaying.
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Marketplace fees explained: what Amazon, eBay & Etsy really take
Where the money goes on each platform, and how to price so you keep what you meant to.
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Why your emails go to spam — and how to fix it
SPF, DKIM and DMARC in plain English: the three records that decide whether your mail reaches the inbox.
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What is SSL, and why your website needs HTTPS
The padlock, explained — what it does, what happens without it, and how to get one for free.
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How to price a product so you actually make money
Cost-plus, margin vs markup, and the fees that quietly eat your profit — with the maths made simple.
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Wix, Squarespace or your own website? An honest comparison
The real yearly cost, what you can take with you, and why lock-in matters more than the monthly price.
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What is web hosting? A plain guide for beginners
What hosting actually is, how it works with a domain, and the jargon decoded — without the sales pitch.
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.com or .co.uk: which domain should you choose?
When the British ending beats the global one, when to grab both, and how the choice affects trust and SEO.
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How to move your website to a new host without downtime
A step-by-step migration plan — back up, move, test, then switch DNS — so visitors never see a gap.
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How to get professional email on your own domain
Why you@yourbusiness beats a free Gmail address, and the simple way to set it up properly.
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How to start an online shop: a practical checklist
From name and domain to pricing, platform and launch — the order to do things in, with the tools for each step.
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More on the way. Got a question you’d like us to cover? Email hello@thecentaurmentor.com.