I Don't Know Where to Start!

If you have very little knowledge about the internet or how websites work then we can appreciate it can be very daunting knowing where to start! Well, we make it very simple for you...read on...

In order to have your own working website you basically need a few things;

1. A domain name i.e. www.bobstools.co.uk
2. A website
3. Someone to host the website i.e. a hosting company
4. An e-mail address in order to receive customer enquiries

We do not provide domain names and hosting however we will be delighted to advise you exactly what to do and will manage the process for you.

Domain Name

A .co.uk domain name will typically cost around £6 +vat for 2 years registration. Many will charge you much more but this is realistic. Choice of domain name can be a very important decision and we will be happy to advise you. You can search and purchase a domain name here - www.fasthosts.co.uk. If you are intending to use our services and you do not have a domain already, please ask for advice.

Hosting

Hosting for a simple site will typically cost around £50-60 per year. Fore complex sites, hosting will cost more up to around £200. There are a few hosting companies who offer free hosting but please be aware of any historical system down time, and also read the terms and ensure they are contactable and offer help and assistance in the event that the system is down. You get what you pay for...or rather you get what you don't pay for! Hosting can be arranged here www.host-it.co.uk but again, best to check with us first to ensure you buy the most appropriate package to suit your needs. Many design companies will provide hosting but do check that they are available to resolve hosting issues at the drop of a hat. If your website generates £1,000 of business for you each day, then it is worth paying a few pounds a year to host it. Don't cut corners.

E-mail

When you purchase a domain name, this also entitles you to use the e-mail address that goes with it i.e. bob@bobstools.co.uk. The name in front can be whatever you choose it to be. In order to be able to send and receive e-mails on this address, you need hosting. The host company will host your website and also your e-mails i.e. when you send and receive and e-mail it goes through their system. If there are any problems with your e-mail or if your website fails to show on the internet then it is your hosting company whom you contact.

Website

When your website is complete we upload it to your hosting company web space. From there we can make any necessary alterations in the future.

Will I be able to edit my website?

If you choose a database driven site, this will generally come complete with a customer management system allowing you to edit your predetermined areas. With any other site, we have an optional web editing system that we can 'bolt on' to your site at a cost of £99+vat. This system allows you to edit your site from any PC in any location, no software required, simply login to your website!

What kind of website will I need?

If you are looking for a very simple basic website that doesn't have a high degree of customer involvement then a Budget website will probably suffice.

If you want to impress your customers and maybe want to build a brand for your business, our Advanced website designs will probably be what you are looking for. Considerable time is spent creating your bespoke design and there is a strong focus on attention to detail and consistency.

If on the other hand you have a large product range and need to be able to manage your content quickly, be able to change pricing etc at the drop of a hat, or perhaps you need to include Paypal payments and a checkout system, then it is likley you will need a Database driven website.

We hope the above clarifies basically what you need. We will be delighted to discuss your needs so please do not hesitate to contact us and we will call you back and advise accordingly.