Are you trading online? If not you are missing out on a massive opportunity. In the UK more than a quarter of the population now buy online with online sales in 2006 nudging close to high street sales. To get online is not hard.

For a business to prosper online, there are a few intrinsic stages you need to be aware of. To give you the best advice SmartHouse News has teamed up with NetRegistry a leading ISP who has operated in the Australian market for a long time. During the next few weeks in association with Net Registry we will bring you a series of tips and hints that will help you understand what is involved in getting your business online. Then you can make a decision as to where you want to go.

This article focuses on domain names, website creation, and the web hosting phases of establishing an online enterprise. With numerous service providers to choose from, it is important to choose one that can provide all necessary services to facilitate the online growth of your business.
Many businesses might have asked themselves at one time or another, “Why does our business need a website?” The simple answer is that businesses have a direct channel to prospective customers through the internet, facilitating an area to promote past work. This portfolio could be in the form of images as well as testimonials from clients, boosting your credibility and business success.
In the future, online businesses with eCommerce facilities will be able to offer online purchasing of products or information, considerably increasing their market presence whilst making it easier for customers.
In January 2006, over 68.4% of Australians were recorded as using the internet on a regular basis, (Nielson//NetRatings). This is the second highest per capita usage in the world, with the United States topping the list at 68.7%. Internet usage has doubled since 2000, when only 33.8% of the population were online. These days, Australians of all ages are frequently using the internet as a resource, and according to the Australian Bureau of Statistic’s most recent polls, over 72% of 40-54-year-olds and 32% of 55-year-olds and above are actively online. These statistics exemplify the potential success of Australian businesses online.

Registering a Domain Name

A domain name is the unique name by which a website is identified on the internet; it’s a memorable address, and should be both recognisable and relative to your company name or brand. To secure a specific domain name, a business must register it with a domain registrar, where it is as simple as entering your desired name and domain extension (for example .com) on a registrar’s homepage, and ordering the available domain or a domain that is as close to the domain you want, if it’s not available.
When purchasing a domain name, it’s important to ensure the company is an accredited registrar. Prices range considerably, so it pays to shop around. For example, some IT companies can charge up to $140 for a 2-year domain name versus Sydney-based NetRegistry who charges only $44.95 for exactly the same service.

The Value of a Domain Name

If the internet is part of your business strategy, a small fee ensures the protection of your business’s domain name. It’s recommended that businesses register a domain name to secure it for the future, even if you’re not ready to build a website. Reputable service providers will automatically provide business owners with a placeholder site, advising visitors it is “under construction.” In doing this, businesses can effectively prevent competitors from obtaining/using their name, benefiting from the business foundations already established. Therefore, domain name registration provides a simple and affordable method of protecting a brand or product name.

Making a Website for Your Business

To position your business online and establish a strong web presence, creating a useful tool for current and future clients, you need a valuable and working website. The 2 main alternatives for web design include:
· The first option for business owners is to outsource the entire creation to an experienced web designer. This is a cost effective alternative, which will fulfil a company’s individual requirements. For businesses requiring a more polished aesthetic, web designers are indeed recommended. Businesses can either find a web designer on their own accord or use experienced designers offered by their service provider. NetRegistry offers a Custom Website service for only $499, with a ten-day turn around and a dedicated account manager to handle any concerns.
· In contrast, some hosting companies, like NetRegistry, offer customers Instant Website software – a free website builder. This software is the latest technology in website creation, and with a step-by-step process, customers with no web design skills can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing website for their venue. With Instant Website software, businesses can choose from over 500 templates which offer a seamless integration of business graphics and text to create a professional and customised website. NetRegistry customers have had considerable success with this free website builder – Bert Newton’s Family Feud website as just one example at www.bertsfamilyfeud.com.au .

Web Page Hosting

After producing a web page, the next step is hosting. This is essential to make the site available for public browsing. It’s important to confirm that your web-hosting provider will maintain the server on which your site is hosted, as well as manage the technology linking it to the internet. Service providers should also offer a range of packages that tailor web-hosting specifications (data storage and data transfer) to customers’ requirements. These quantities should be easily upgradeable to facilitate business growth. All packages should include full technical support, which is vital for any technically-challenged businesses.

Choosing the Right Service Provider

When choosing your service provider, ensure they offer the services provided below. It’s also important to choose an accredited domain name registrar who has a solid reputation for consistently delivering value, reliability, service, and technical support to their customers.
· Speed: Remember you are selecting a business partner as well as a service provider. Ensure they’re dedicated to maximising the effectiveness and online performance of your site or multiple sites. It’s important your website maintains a consistent speed/performance, particularly during peak activity periods. This is when many potential customers are trying to access your virtual business.
· Location: Does it matter where your web hosting company is located? Absolutely. Bandwidth in USA is much cheaper than in Australia, which enables US hosting companies to offer hosting services at highly competitive prices. However, with servers on the other side of the world there can be speed issues (known as latency) that can result in your website being delivered slower. Technical support can often be problematic when a US office is closed during Australian business hours. Even though a hosting company presents itself as being Australian, if their data centre is in Florida you’ll experience the same issues. To be sure, look for web hosting providers with high quality Australian data centres.
· Customer Service & Technical Support: It’s important your service provider has technical support staff dedicated to addressing any question or concern that you may have, while also assisting you in configuring your services so that you get the maximum benefit out of all the features that come with the package you choose. Your business relies on the successful, consistent hosting
of your website therefore choose a service provider that will give immediate help, so you don’t have to wait for call-backs or explanations. Also take into consideration the after-sales support offered by each hosting company. Ensure your web hosting company can be contacted by telephone during business hours, because many smaller web hosts only offer email only support. It’s also preferable you choose a company with a dedicated technical support telephone number with a set time of availability so should you require any advice, or have any technical issues, you’re able to contact someone for a quick resolution.
· Range of Services: Choose a provider whose web hosting packages are scalable, facilitating the potential growth of your business needs. Businesses can start with a basic web hosting or email package and as your internet presence grows, you can upgrade easily to more comprehensive packages such as eCommerce.
· Specialist: Choose a company who specialises in web hosting. In return, your website will be stored on infrastructure that is fast, stable, and secure – with a dedicated customer support team.
Whilst your business may only want a simple website in the first instance, you are likely to want to grow in the future. Does the hosting company offer a range of services that will facilitate your growth online, in areas such as eCommerce or online marketing? Do they offer any extras such as news articles or tutorials that will help you increase your understanding of the opportunities available online, as well as technological developments? Web hosting is a business critical service – do not be afraid to ask questions of your web hosting company or your web designer to ensure you are receiving a quality web hosting service.
When you are ready to take your business to the online market, call a NetRegistry consultant on 1800 78 80 82 to trial their web hosting for a month and experience the benefits it will bring to your business, jump online and visit www.netregistry.com.au.