Website 101: What You Need to Get Up and Running
The majority of large corporations have well established websites. In the past, fewer small businesses had a web presence. However, customers now expect any business, large or small, to have a website. If you answer “no” to the question, “Do you have a website?” you run the risk of not being taken seriously, and therefore not getting the business.
To this end, many small business owners are now planning to have a website. The following primer will attempt to demystify the process, and explain the technical terms and requirements to get a basic marketing website up and running.
Domain Name Registration
A domain name is the name people will type into their web browser in order to locate your website (e.g. www.mycompany.com). Ideally, your domain name should be the same as your company name, as this will make it easy to remember. Names ending with .com remain the most popular (and therefore the least available.) while .ca names are very popular for Canadian businesses. Other options, if your preferred .com name is taken, include .net, .biz, .cc, .tv. Your web developer should be able to provide recommendations on domain names that are available, and to facilitate the registration process for you. There is a small annual fee for registering a domain name.
Website Hosting
In order for people to see your website, it must be located on a special computer, called a web server. Web servers maintain dedicated computer lines connected to the internet, which allow information to be sent to and from them 24 hours a day. While large companies may have their own internal web server, this expense could not be justified for a simple informational site. Most small businesses will require a “virtual hosting” account, which means you are renting space on an established web server.
There are hundreds, probably even thousands, of website hosting companies, with varying hosting packages and levels of service. Cheaper is not always better - if your business depends on the website, you don’t want it to disappear in the middle of the night because the hosting company has gone out of business. Again, your website developer should be able to advise you on the features you will need, and can probably arrange a hosting account for you with a company they know is reliable. There is a monthly or annual fee for website hosting, and there may be a one-time set-up fee.
Web Page Design
If you have technical and design aptitude, it is certainly possible to design your own website. You will need to invest some money in a software package, and some time for a learning curve. However, if you are reading this article, then chances are that you will outsource to a web designer, in order to ensure that your website is of professional quality and represents your company and target customers appropriately. An experienced web development company should be able to offer “one stop shopping” convenience, by arranging your website hosting and domain name registration in addition to designing your site.
Designers may charge by the hour, or may provide a total project cost for developing your website. In either case, the cost will depend on the scope of the project, and on the expertise of the developer. Again, cheaper is not always better. The web design fee will be a one time cost. If you will require frequent updates to your site, you may want to arrange a maintenance contract with the designer, to allow for a certain amount of changes every month, or every quarter, etc.
ISP
An ISP, short for Internet Service Provider, provides you with an account that allows you to access the internet from your computer. Individuals and small or home based businesses will generally choose between dial-up (connection using a modem in your computer and a telephone line) and high speed internet access (connection via a special high speed modem and either phone or cable TV line). Without internet access you will not be able to see your website or send or receive e-mails. A website hosting account does not take the place of your ISP account - you need both. You will pay a monthly fee for internet access.
