Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a certain type of computer?

You don't need to own a computer at all to be the owner of a website.

Websites are usually hosted on a computer owned and managed by someone else.

What is hosting?

A website is made up of computer files.

For a website to be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week a copy of these files must be on a computer which is always running, and always connected to the Internet. This computer is often refered to as a host.

Therefore, the arrangement where a copy of the files which make up a website can 'live' on such a host is known as Hosting.

Hosting is often reffered to as "Internet Air Time".

What is a Domain Name?

A Domain Name is an easily remembered alternative Internet address for a website. For example: "www.NorthsideLandscaping.com.au" .

This Domain Name is attached to where a website is hosted.

Do I have to have a Domain Name?

No. It is optional.

However, there are many advantages of having a Domain Name:
• Easily remembered
• Is yours forever if you keep renewing
• Helps people find you easily if the name is obvious eg.brooksidebooks.com.au
• Lets you change hosting without changing your Internet address
• Can be an asset for a business

Is the "www." needed any more?

It depends how each individual Domain is configured. These days the trend is to configure a Domain so that the www. is optional.

What is a Web Index?

A Web Index is like a giant phone book for the Internet.

Examples of Web Indexes are Altavista, Google etc.

People use these Web Indexes to find websites containing information that they are seeking.

For example, a person might be looking for a solicitor on the northside of Brisbane so they would search using keywords such as "solicitor" and "northside" and "brisbane".

Therefore, if you want people to find your website in this way your website needs to be submitted for inclusion in the Indexes.

How long before my website appears in a Web Index?

It varies. It can sometimes take several weeks, sometimes months. Web Indexes are leaning more toward payed listings and taking longer to include basic listings. Paying an additional fee can ensure listing within days. Unfortunately, there is a growing trend for Web Indexes to charge in this way for any submission at all.

Can I forget about conventional advertising?

Web Indexes provide an alternative way for people to find you, but shouldn't be seen a replacement for conventional advertising.

Your Internet address can be included in your conventional advertising, thus leading a potential customer to full information.

This often means you can have a smaller conventional advertisement.

What are the on-going costs for a website?

Domain Names must be renewed or they become available to the free market.

Hosting costs vary depending on your requirements.

Can I use my free Powerup website?

You can, but many of these free websites that come with Internet access are intended to be for personal content only.

The Internet Service Providers often take these websites off-line during peak periods to reduce the load on their system.

This means that your website may be unavailable for viewing just when most people are likely to be looking at it.

Therefore professional dedicated hosting is well worth the expense.

Who owns the Copyright to the website?

YOU! Accent Web Design is simply doing the work for you in the same way that a printer might print a book that you have written. It is your website and you own the Copyright.