Where Do I Start?

Let's start here....!

If you're wondering whether you need a presence on the internet, you're not alone. Struggling to make sense of the various options? Welcome to the club!

Thousands of people, organisations and businesses are in the same situation. That's what this page is for -- to help you understand the possibilities and make the right decision.

What does it mean to have a website?

Many feel they need to get their business/organisation "on the internet". Often they aren't sure exactly what this means, but think they should be doing it.

Being "on the internet" is a bit vague and could mean many different things. We use the term "Internet Presence" to describe all or any of the possibilities, but more specifically, being "present" and visible on the internet so that other people can find you. Here are some of the things your internet presence might include:

• Website
• E-mail address
• Listings in directories, search engines

Do I need to put my business on the internet?

Some organisations really don't have much use for the internet, in fact many small businesses survive without a computer at all. However, if you're in business or if you represent an organisation of any kind, then we can almost guarantee that some sort of internet presence will benefit you. It may be a full-blown website, it may be a lower-cost alternative, it may be a simple listing in a directory. In any case it makes sense to explore the options.

What if I don't use the Internet?

It doesn't matter. You don't necessarily need to use the internet to have an internet presence, just as you don't need to read the phone book to be listed in it. Just remember that most other people do use the internet -- more and more use it as their main source of information. If you're not there, you're slowly becoming invisible.

Do I need e-mail?

Do you need a postal address or a telephone? If not then maybe you don't need an email address. Otherwise you certainly should be considering it. Even if you've never needed an email address you may be surprised at how useful it can be.

Do I need a web site?

This is a more difficult question. Generally speaking, you should have a website if any of these criteria apply to you:

• You would like to provide information about your business/organisation to the public.
• You would like people to have a good chance of finding you on the internet.
• You would like your business/organisation to have a professional image.
• You would like to sell goods or services over the internet.

There are many other reasons to have a web site but these are the most common.

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Okay, I want a website. Where do I start?

There are three items that you absolutely positively need to get your website online.

1) A domain name (eg. www.yourdomain.co.uk)
2) A web hosting package (provides web space and email facilities)
3) A means of designing your website (eg. Microsoft Frontpage or an Online Site Builder)

Choose your domain name carefully, make sure it is easy to remember and easy to spell. Your domain is your website address. If you purchase more than one domain name it is easy to point your extra domains to the original domain.

You web hosting package really depends on what application you are using to design your website and how busy your website will be. In short, if you purchase "Starter Hosting" this covers all options. If your site gets very busy in the future it is easy to upgrade.

Unless you are comfortable with an FTP application (such as FileZilla, which you can download here) we recommend you design your site using either Microsoft FrontPage or simply use our Online Site Building Tool.

Ready? Start by finding a suitable domain name, choose "Starter Hosting" and then choose "Business Website Builder" for access to 10,000 pre-designed templates!

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