Do you know where your website is?

We never cease to be amazed by the number of new clients who come to us and have no idea about some of the details connected to their website, or what they are paying for associated services.  That said, it is not the clients' fault; too many web-connected companies fail to explain these aspects in layman's terms.


In essence, there are 3 main ingredients you need to have a website visible on the internet:


1.  The website itself - all the aesthetically pleasing and attention-grabbing artwork, design and other content;


2.  A website address, or domain name, such as www.argentrammedia.com;


3.  A server that hosts the website - space where the website physically sits waiting to be found by your customers.


The website is the easy bit, as this is the one aspect that most clients actually see.


The domain name is a little bit like a PO Box address.  It is your fixed website name that directs your customers to the server space where your website sits.  It doesn't matter where that space is, as long as the web address (or PO Box Number!) points to that space.


Too often, though, the client has no idea who has control over their domain name, or the space where the website sits, and they naively pay any invoice that mentions anything to do with their website, for fear of losing everything!


You do have to pay for these 3 main ingredients, as follows:


1.  The website.  Depending upon the complexity, your website can cost a couple of hundred pounds or many thousands.  Make sure you know what you are getting and that your requirements are met by the designer and developer.  If your website does not work for you in the way that you want, all your money will be wasted!


2.  Website address, or domain name.  You can have as many as you like, all pointing to the same website, but it is not necessary.  Most small businesses in the UK are quite content with a .co.uk domain, but may also want a .com as well.  The thing to remember is that there are ongoing charges associated with every domain name you have registered.  A .co.uk website address is renewed every 2 years, and a .com every year.  If you, or your website company, do not renew, you could lose the domain name. These recurring fees are not high.  Make sure that, whoever initially buys the domain name, they do so in your name!


3.  Hosting.  Server space costs money, and there will be some sort of annual charge to allow you to have your website sitting on a server.  This annual charge can vary quite considerably, and often depends on the size of the site, and its complexity (does it have a database, for example, or is it expected to attract many 1,000s of visitors?).  Make sure you understand the charges up front, and what the ongoing financial commitment will be.


Once you have the above clear in your minds, make sure you keep a note of who manages what on your behalf.  Most website design companies can manage the whole package, and this is often the most cost-effective solution.  It is also easier to keep all aspects under the same roof.


We had one business contact us this morning because his website had been suspended:

He had no idea where to turn to get it reinstated.  The domain name was held by one company, the website was hosted elsewhere, and the poor chap had no record of any of these details - critical for any business.  Fortunately, we were able to trace the location of all the disparate components of his website and get it back online, doing what it is supposed to do.  Any good web design company will be able to keep you abreast of this information, so make sure your website doesn't get lost!