I have a shared hosting plan with hostgator. This is my first time setting up a website so I have a few questions.

First and foremost, I keep reading about things I can/need to do with a htaccess file. Is this something I just create in a text editor and place in my web directory or should I be able to access this somewhere in cPanel or the file manager?

How do I configure my error pages like 404 for when a user enters a url on my domain that doesn't exist? Do I have to activate something in cPanel or put something in an htaccess file? Currently, if I go to: www.domain.com/madeupnonexistentpage.html, all I see is a blank page rather than an error screen.

Also, I read for SEO purposes I want to direct all traffic to either domain.com or www.domain.com with a 301 direct. However, on hostgator (my hosting company) I read somewhere that it said I can't use a regular 301 direct as it will put my site in a permanent loop...so what do I need to do? Also, which is more preferable domain.com or www.domain.com

I see in the file manager where I upload all of my pages that I have the option to compress files. I obviously want to optimize the performance of the site so would it be beneficial to compress any pages or images and if so, what format?

Lastly, I built a small mobile site on a sub-domain that I want hand held devices to be redirected to when they browse to my main home page. I did some research and came across Wurfl but have no idea how to actually implement it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Anybody?

linux or windows hosting first of all?

It's linux and I'm using cPanel.

Originally Posted by samo1215

First and foremost, I keep reading about things I can/need to do with a htaccess file. Is this something I just create in a text editor and place in my web directory or should I be able to access this somewhere in cPanel or the file manager?

No just make it in a text editor and upload it. As long as it's called '.htaccess' it's rules apply to all files and directories in the directory it's in and the subdirectory.

How do I configure my error pages like 404 for when a user enters a url on my domain that doesn't exist? Do I have to activate something in cPanel or put something in an htaccess file? Currently, if I go to: www.domain.com/madeupnonexistentpage.html, all I see is a blank page rather than an error screen.

Stick this in you .htaccess ErrorDocument 404 http://www.yourpage.com/custom404.html

Also, I read for SEO purposes I want to direct all traffic to either domain.com or www.domain.com with a 301 direct. However, on hostgator (my hosting company) I read somewhere that it said I can't use a regular 301 direct as it will put my site in a permanent loop...so what do I need to do? Also, which is more preferable domain.com or www.domain.com

No idea.

I see in the file manager where I upload all of my pages that I have the option to compress files. I obviously want to optimize the performance of the site so would it be beneficial to compress any pages or images and if so, what format?

No. I'm pretty sure that's like making a zip, or rar, or tar archive. It's just for storing it or transporting it.

Lastly, I built a small mobile site on a sub-domain that I want hand held devices to be redirected to when they browse to my main home page. I did some research and came across Wurfl but have no idea how to actually implement it.

Wurlfl is an XML file that I guess you'll have to parse. Use php or whatever script you're using to detect the useragent of the users browser, compare it to those in that XML file, if it's in there then redirect to your mobile version. More info here: http://wurfl.sourceforge.net/help_doc.php

Now that I've helped you I want you to learn something for me. Every time you don't know something go to google.com, stick your thoughts into the search bar and click search. The answers will be immediatley avalible for you.
For example
First result from a Google search for .htaccess is Apache Tuturial: .htaccess files