Frequently Asked Questions about Websites

1. What is a domain name?
The purpose of a domain name is similar to that of a street address or telephone number. The domain name directs customers to you on the Internet. The domain by itself is not your email or web address. The domain does form the base from which these addresses are derived.

For example:
Company Name: Websites 4 Small Business
Domain Name: web4business.com.au
Web Address: www.web4business.com.au
Email Address: info@web4business.com.au

2. Do I need to register a domain name to have a website?
The simple answer is NO, but a better answer is YES it is a good idea. The cost of registering '.com.au' domain name is only A$140 for 2 years and has many advantages. Read more.. http://www.web4business.com.au/GettingStartedStep1.htm

3. How do I find out if my domain name is still available?
Once you have decided on the domain name that you would like, you need to check if it is available. To check go to: www.melbourneit.com.au

4. What do I do if my domain name has been registered by someone else?
Panic! Just kidding!!! Simply call us and we can recommend alternative names that would be suitable for your business.

5. How do I choose a design for my website?
The best way to start is by choosing a colour scheme – 2-3 colours are the best. If your company has a logo or preferred colours on its stationery that’s a good start. For those of you starting from scratch, choose two or three complementary colours and stick with them – don’t change colours on every page.

If you’re not sure what colour scheme to choose, surf the internet and find a website that you like. You can then model your colour scheme on what already exists.

Can’t find a website you really like? Another option is to choose a template. There are many templates or pre-set designs. These come as part of your web design software (such as FrontPage) or you can check out some websites that specialise in designing templates.

You can find many templates by going to:

http://www.web4business.com.au/GettingStartedStep2.htm

These templates can be customised to suit your business. Templates are great, as they allow you to see what your website will look like before you spend any money. One suggestion for using templates – if you are planning to add a lot of your own pictures and photos, stick to a neutral, basic website which doesn’t have any graphics. This way your photos will stand out, instead of competing for attention.

Naturally, your designer is a good source of information. If you are looking for a custom website, he/she can design one for you from scratch, but knowing your preferable colours is a great help.