There are a few steps to creating and connecting to your SQL Server 2008 database.  This will outline the basic steps to create your SQL Server 2008 database and connect to it via SQL Server Management Studio 2008 Express/Standard, and create your connection string for your web site.

These instructions only pertain to those account higher than the Lite plan.  The Lite plan does not include a SQL Server account.

Create the SQL Server database account in Helm 4

http://track.gizmobeach.com/KB/a10/how-do-i-create-a-sql-server-2008-database.aspx

Manage your database tables

If you need to create your database tables, views and/or stored procedures, you'll need to connect to the server using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express.  NOTE: SQL Server 2005 or earlier will not be able to connect to this database.

SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express can be downloaded free from the Microsoft web site.  Click here to download the FREE database.

Once you've downloaded the SQL Server Management Studio, you should build the database for your website on your local machine. 

General best practices is to create your entire web site and database on your local machine, and then when it's finished, you can connect to the server and export your working, complete database to the production database. 

The production database server should NOT be used to build and debug your web site applications!

To connect to the production database server, use this connection information:

• Server name: sql2008.gizmobeach.com,2433
• SQL Authentication
• User name: enter the database user you created in Helm 4
• Password: enter the database password you created in Helm 4
• Click "OK" to connect

Once you've connected to the server, you will see your database.  Expand the database folder to view the Table, View, etc. folders.

You can right-click on the database and choose "All Tasks" --> "Export Data" to export your local database to the production server.

Connection String

The general syntax of your connection string should be something like this:

Server=sql2008.gizmobeach.com,2433;Initial Catalog=[your database name];User ID=[your database username]; Password=[your password];

This would go in the connectionStrings section of the web.config file for ASP.NET applications.

For other connections strings, you can go to: http://www.connectionstrings.com