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Here are some details that will help you understand how to get started. As always, if you have a question, email
us, or call us during business hours (Eastern Time) at 770.614.8063.
What You Should Know About Web
Hosting - Overview
-
What do I need to have in place to put a web page on the
Internet?
- What does it cost?
-
What can I do to get the most for my money?
-
How do I decide what is right for my business?
- What kind of experience
do you have as a web designer? What sites
have you created?
Vocabulary and Specifics
Our Answers
Q: What do I need
to have in place to put a web page on the Internet?
A: Five things are needed to operate a web site. We do all the set up and
get you going:
- A Web Server (Web Hosting).
The world-wide web lets people in other locations look at
your page. This is done with either a dedicated machine in your office, or more usually,
through an Internet Service Provider, such as Earthlink, which "hosts"
your
page on their Server. They provide the multiple, high-speed phone lines that let numerous
people browse at one time, and they are also connected to other Internet Servers.
- An address.
You can have your own
domain name, (i.e., acme.com,
microsoft.com, ibm.com), or you can have an address using the domain of your service
provider (mindspring.com/acme). There are extra fees associated with having your own
domain, both in registering the name and in hosting the site, but many feel that this
gives them better visibility.
- A web page.
A web site can be composed of one or many different pages that are linked
together through hyperlinks. The page is written in a language called HTML, and can
contain pictures, hyperlinks, and text. You can create your own web pages, (we teach
classes on that), or we can design it for you.
- A way to post and update your page.
This is done through your dial-up Internet account,
using your modem to connect to the Server that hosts your page. You send the
files over the phone line to an address specified by the Internet Service
Provider or your web designer.
- Email service.
This is usually bundled with the internet access. You have to have a way to
communicate with people who visit your pages.
Q: What does it
cost?
A: There are two parts to the investment.
- Web
Design
- We send you worksheets to help you
plan your site. Your designer then gives you an estimate of what the overall web will cost, along with suggestions and
alternatives.
- From Flash movies, streaming
video, Javascript, or interactive pages, we can do it! Design rates are
$50-$75/hour.
- If you only need a small site, you
may want to check our new $250Web.
- The Web Hosting
programs encompass a wide range of
hosting requirements, from a starter site to a big e-commerce web.
Many businesses find that the $19.95/month
Starter Web is fine for their
needs.
Q: What can I do to get the most for my
money?
A: Plan ahead!
Costs are determined by the
number of pages and their
complexity, the
number
of graphics to be scanned, and by
how often you change your mind
during the design process! Obviously, then, you can keep
expenses down by planning ahead. Define
your expectations – what you want the web site to accomplish.
Look at other sites and decide why you like or dislike them.
Plan a color scheme that is in keeping with your logo. Collect marketing and advertising
materials for the designer to use as a reference.
Start out simply,
and get feedback from your clients and prospects on what
they want to see! With a little planning and good communications, you will be
way ahead of the game!
Q: How do I decide what is right for my
business?
A: Decide what you want to web to accomplish!
Your website should be a coordinated part
of your overall
marketing plan. We can help you choose the right design and hosting plan once
you have defined how the site fits with your other marketing efforts.
Q:
What kind of experience do you have as a web designer?
A: This is a really important question! Go check us out!
We invite you to check us out. Details on our credentials
are available on request, as well as names and phone numbers
for our references. We have been in business for over
17 years.
That's real longevity in this industry - where computer years are kind of like
"dog years!"
Go look
at
some of the sites we have designed, and see if you like what we do. Then call us at
(678)
377-9510,
and we'll get you going.
Vocabulary and Specifics - Domains
- Q. What is a
domain?
- A. A domain is a specific internet address, such
as www.ibm.com, or www.microsoft.com. Most businesses, even small ones, are
finding that their customers expect them to have an internet domain. Many
individuals, however, are also reserving a domain, such as "www.myaddress.com," or
"www.myname.us"
-
- Q. What does it
cost?
- A. The cost varies by registrar, and may be as much as
$75 for a two-year registration. You can get your domain through
Cyber
Studios at the
Cyber Domain Store for under $15 (.com, .net, .org; 1 year)
-
- Q. Do I own the domain forever?
- A. No. A domain is leased, just like a telephone
number. It is yours as long as you pay the registration and renew it on
time. This can be set up to occur automatically, if you choose.
- Q. What will be my web address if I
don't get a
domain?
- A. We can set you up to host with us on
Earthlink's servers, or on the internet service provider of your choice. The web address
will be "http://www.provider.net/youraddress"
-
- Q. So, which choice is better?
- A. It depends on what you need, and for how long.
Here are some ideas:
- If you are listing a home and won't need a
website in the future, add to your realtor's web.
- If you are a business, you really should register your domain.
Nowadays, a website should be viewed as an important part of
your overall business and marketing plan.
- Maybe you're just starting out in business,
and things are tight. At least go ahead and
register your
domain, so it doesn't get taken! It can park (at no additional
charge) until you are ready to move forward.
- Start online inexpensively with Cyber Studios'
$250Web, and expand the site as your
business grows, and you can afford more elaborate web pages.
Vocabulary & Specifics - Web Hosting
- Q. What is web hosting?
- A. The world-wide web lets people in other locations look at
your page. This is done with either a dedicated machine in your office, or more
normally,
through an ISP, (Internet Service Provider), such as
Earthlink, who "hosts" your
page on their Server. The ISP provides the multiple, high-speed phone lines that let numerous
people browse at one time, and they are also connected to other Internet Servers.
-
- Q. What does it cost?
- A. The monthly hosting fee is currently $19.95,
unless you need e-commerce or other advanced types of web services. (Hosting
Plans)
- Q. Why do I need
an ISP?
- A. Unless you have adequate staff to set
up a dedicated web server, manage security, and integrate multiple,
high-speed phone lines ($$!) with the computer, you are better off using
an ISP. Because of the capital investment and staff requirements, an ISP
is usually much cheaper than do-it-yourself.
-
- Choose a service provider with a proven track record and a high
percentage of "up-time." Your cheap ISP may cost you clients
when your web is down, slow, or cannot handle much traffic.
Cyber
Studios has used Earthlink
as ISP for our clients for the past 5 years, and we recommend them highly.
-
- Q.
Do I still need internet access services?
- A. You will need a way to look at your pages
and others online, and to use your email. We can consolidate your web
hosting and access services in one billing by offering dial-up, cable, or DSL
access (through Earthlink).
-
- Q. Do I get email?
- A. Email is usually included with internet access. If
you have existing email, such as (HotMail, AOL, etc.), we can "point"
your domain mail to that existing account. For example, instead of "you@aol.com", your mail will be
"you@yourdomain.com"
- With our basic web hosting packages, you start out with 10 pop email
boxes, and more are available at a nominal cost.
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