FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We are frequently asked questions from individuals seeking information regarding the intricate processes and various components encompassed within the establishment and maintenance of a website. In an endeavor to demystify these fundamental aspects, we have taken the initiative to elucidate them through the answers provided in the following questions.
Why should I have a web site?
Plain and simply, having a corporate web site is the most cost-effective marketing medium available today. Compared to most marketing materials (e.g. printed brochures, business cards, flyers), a web site is much more flexible as it can be changed “on the fly”. If your business changes or you have a special offer, your web site can very easily be changed to reflect these changes. In addition to the flexibility, the marketing exposure your web site can bring is phenomenal. The whole world can view your products or services for a literally pence per day running cost.
My business is regional, so will a web site work for me?
Yes. We can assist you in developing a marketing strategy that will promote your web site in your local area. What this mainly means is making sure your web site can be found in major search engines (like Google) using local search phrases (eg “greengrocer Heathfield”).
Additionally there are many small search engines that list businesses locally. Some of these we have strong relationships with and can develop a localised marketing campaign for your web site. We also use other local media to promote sites.
What can I do with my web site?
The most important thing to do is promote it. Put your web site address on all your business paperwork, letterheads, business cards, promotional materials and advertising. Add attachments to all of your outgoing emails.
In this way your web site can work most effectively for you as a port of call for your clients to find out all about you.
What is hosting?
The internet is a massive network of computers, permanently connected worldwide via cable, satellite, and telephone systems. Each computer stores information about web site locations, ensuring you’re directed accurately.
A web site comprises files interconnected via ‘hyperlinks’.
The term ‘hosting’ pertains to the computer storing your web page files, making them internet-accessible. Without hosting, your web site ceases to exist
Can I use the web space that is supplied with my internet service provider?
There are two main schools of thought on this. The first, and most common, is to have your company name or brand as your domain name (such as www.questgraphics.co.uk).
The second type of domain name is one that contains keywords that explain about your business. An example of this would be www.webuildwebsites.com. We can help you select the right domain name for your business.
Why do I need a domain name?
A domain name can help to increase your brand awareness. Instead of having www.yourisp.com/yourname, your web site address can be www.yourcompanyname.co.uk. Firstly, this is easier to remember, plus it repeats your company name or slogan to your prospective visitors and clients.
What domain name should I have?
There are two main schools of thought on this. The first, and most common, is to have your company name or brand as your domain name (such as www.questgraphics.co.uk).
The second type of domain name is one that contains keywords that explain about your business. An example of this would be www.webuildwebsites.com. We can help you select the right domain name for your business.
Will my web site be seen across the world?
Yes. Once your web site has been developed and uploaded to your hosting space, the whole world will be able to see it. Of course, if your web site is selling or promoting a regional product or service, we can assist you in promoting it more locally. If your product or service is an international one, then the Internet is the medium for you.
What must my website contain?
A quick surf round the world wide web soon throws up a lot of sites that are either badly put together or fail to deliver any commercial benefit back to the business. These are usually the ones that were created because someone said the company ought to have a net presence without really working out what they wanted it to do.
A good site includes the following:
- Business name and logo
- Brief description of your business activity
- A summary of your products or services
- Your business address
- Ways to contact you – telephone number(s), email address
- A contact name
- Opening hours
- A photograph of your product, services, and business activity
- An opportunity for feedback
A crucial issue is security. Consumers are nervous about buying online and stories of credit card fraud abound. So you not only have to be sure that you’ve found a secure way of processing credit and debit card transactions – you also have to communicate this to the customer.
We are experienced at setting up secure payments solutions with a variety of providers, and we can offer you advice as to the best solution to suit your needs including installing an SSL certificate to add the green padlock to your site that your customers will expect as a sign the site is secure.
Your company and the internet – an introduction
There are already 47 million internet users in the UK (over three quarters of the population), and with a great many actively buying online, ecommerce now makes up a significant portion of all business conducted in this country.
To take advantage of this opportunity, and to keep your existing customers, it is no longer a question of whether you are going to put your business online, but how and when you’re going to do it.
Mills Designs can take you through the process of getting your business online and give you the essential advice you need to help make your business an internet success story.
If you are looking for a ‘brochure style’ website branded throughout with your corporate identity then we can custom build a website for you.
Your site may need updating on a regular basis – an information site, an e-commerce shop or a membership site. This might be through a bespoke content management system that we can design for you, or it can be created using an ‘off the shelf’ content managed site environment such as WordPress. In either case you will be able to update your site yourself, or we can update for you if you prefer.