| So you want to build your own website, but where | | | | before you sign anything, check them out thoroughly. |
| do you start? Once you decide that your company | | | | Support is typically the number one priority, so look |
| will benefit by going online, you should know that | | | | into this aspect very carefully; call or e-mail the |
| building a website requires a lot of time, hard work | | | | support team of a prospective host to see what the |
| and dedication. The most important part of building | | | | response is like. |
| your website is the planning stage; only once you've | | | | Make sure that the host is established and that their |
| put all your ideas on paper can you move forward | | | | business is stable. Look at the quality and locality of |
| with purpose. | | | | their data centres. If you don't know anything about |
| The First Step, Choosing a Domain Name | | | | data centres, ask an expert so that all the relevant |
| Choosing a domain name for your website can be | | | | questions can be asked. Make sure that their |
| exciting but also exasperating. It is easy enough to | | | | hardware and software packages are up to standard |
| find a domain name which is catchy and suits your | | | | and that their network platform is reliable. You don't |
| company, but is it available? The best and most | | | | want constant crashes when your website is up and |
| obvious domain names are often already taken, | | | | running, so do your homework well. |
| which leaves you back at square one. The best way | | | | Adding Content to Your Site |
| to go about choosing a domain name is to brainstorm | | | | Building a website is not a once off event; it is an |
| a few ideas; sometimes it's the most obvious or | | | | ongoing business process, requiring a commitment to |
| descriptive domain names that are available to | | | | maintenance. The more time and effort you are |
| register. | | | | willing to put in, the more reward you will get out. It |
| Now Register It | | | | is difficult to get a site to start off with a bang, so |
| Once you've checked the availability of your chosen | | | | continue adding content if you want to see traffic |
| domain name you should register it to make sure | | | | increasing. |
| that somebody else doesn't beat you to it. If you're | | | | You have to please your target market, so naturally |
| aiming to receive South African traffic on your | | | | your content should be centered around what your |
| website you can register your domain name as a | | | | target market wants to read. Do your research and |
| .co.za site and if you're aiming for global traffic you | | | | find the topics that your prospective customers |
| can register as a .com website. You may find that | | | | want to read about. |
| your domain name is available as a .co.za, but not as | | | | Steer clear of Flash, unless you know exactly what |
| a .com or vice versa. Consider choosing a domain | | | | you are doing; the design of your site is typically not |
| name that is available in both, so that if your website | | | | as important as the content. People would much |
| grows you have the option of transforming it into a | | | | rather pay attention to the type of articles you have |
| .com site, also, if a visitor mistakes your URL they | | | | posted on your site than images that move around |
| won't land on someone else's page. | | | | the screen. Having said that, good design should not |
| You can register yourself or you can ask a web | | | | to be neglected, because you can have the best |
| hosting company to do it on your behalf, provided | | | | content on your website, but if the layout and overall |
| that they register the domain in your name. This is | | | | look of your site is not appealing then the content |
| crucial if you wish to switch service providers at a | | | | won't look appealing either. A great website will have |
| later stage. Site registration takes between 24 and | | | | the balance of both; excellent content and a creative |
| 72 hours for the process to be completed after | | | | design. |
| which your site will go live. Once it's live, everybody | | | | Contact Details |
| who navigates to your URL will be able to see your | | | | When setting up a website you're going to need an |
| website. | | | | email address so that your visitors can contact you. |
| Finding a Web Host | | | | Registering your own domain name means you can |
| There are a lot of web hosting companies out there, | | | | use the name for email too. It is important that you |
| so when searching for the ideal web host for your | | | | use a company or business email in order to portray |
| site, get quotes from a number of hosting | | | | a professional image. These are just guidelines to get |
| companies. It's always better to get a second opinion | | | | you started, but they are not set rules. It's not about |
| - and even better if you get a third, fourth and fifth. | | | | following rules; it's about playing around with the web |
| Some web hosting companies ask you to sign annual | | | | and finding a formula that works for you. Once your |
| contracts which means that you won't be able to get | | | | website is off the ground all you'll need is content |
| rid of them if you're not happy with their service, so | | | | and the World Wide Web's your oyster. |