STRIKING DESIGNS

A domain is the main address for a website, typically in the form of "www.example.com". It is a unique identifier for a website on the internet and is used by people to access the website by typing the domain name into a web browser. Each domain name is registered with a domain registrar, and can be purchased and owned by an individual or a business.

You have to pay for hosting of a website because hosting allows your website to be accessible on the internet.

Web hosting involves providing server space, website security, and technical support to ensure your website is always up and running. The web host stores your website files on a server and makes them available to anyone who wants to access your website on the internet.  

Additionally, hosting providers also offer various features and services such as domain registration, email hosting and other add-ons that help you manage your website more efficiently.  

Therefore, the cost of hosting varies depending on the hosting provider and the features you select. However, paying for a reliable and secure web hosting can help ensure that your website has a good performance and runs smoothly.

• Any business owner should at least have an electronic brochure somewhere in cyberspace. The internet is the first place where potential business associates look to "check you out" (i.e. "Gooogle you"). A website is part of your public image.
• Most people will agree that the internet search industry is like nothing else that we have ever seen (apart from maybe the whole internet in itself). If a business ignores search engines (or the internet), it is missing out on a market that is growing by the day.
• A website is a "silent salesman"; it gives potential customers the opportunity to view your products and services from the comfort of their chairs. Even though a business might not necessarily sell goods or services online, the potential customer can make a decision online to visit you in person to do business.
• Because your competitors (with websites) will take away your customers without you even knowing it. For example, who would have thought that Ebay will become the biggest car dealer in the world?
• The sooner you get a website, the better you will fare in future internet searches. The older a website, the better the search engines rank them. If you think that "in three years time, I will need a website", it is advisable to rather start today. In three years time, it will be so competitive that you might not even "get in" (i.e. your website will rank on page 100 of search results).
• The days that people look in the Telephone Directory for your phone number are so to say gone. A growing number of people simply Google your name to get your phone number. If they Google you and don't find you, they might see your competitor in the search results and then you might lose a loyal client.
• A Website allows you to compete with bigger and more established businesses.
• You can save on marketing and printing costs. A business can get a lot more bang for their buck on the internet than any other method of marketing or advertising.
• As fuel costs and traffic increases (as well as internet access), more and more people will prefer to first browse online before getting into their vehicles to drive to the supplier.
• Even though you might "be fully booked" and don't need any more customers, don't you think that you can perhaps expand or increase your gross profit?
• A Website serves as a "communication tool" to keep your stakeholders interested and informed about your business or organization.
• The question is not to ask "Can I afford to have a web site?", but rather "Can I afford not to have a web site?"

A responsive website is a website that is designed to adapt and adjust to various screen sizes, such as those on mobile devices, tablets, laptops, and desktops. It utilizes a flexible layout and coding techniques to ensure that the website's content is easily readable and accessible across all devices. By incorporating responsive design principles, websites can ensure a consistent user experience regardless of the device being used to view it. This is particularly important in today's mobile-first world, where more and more users are accessing the web from their smartphones and tablets.

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and establishes an encrypted connection between a user's web browser and the website's server. When a website has an SSL certificate installed, it ensures that any data transmitted between the user's browser and the website's server is secure and private. This is particularly important for websites that handle sensitive information such as credit card details, login credentials, and personal information. The SSL certificate provides a secure connection by encrypting the data and verifying the identity of the website, preventing any unauthorized access or tampering of the information being transmitted.

Do you ever use Google to find products and services or contact details of businesses? If you answered yes, then you obviously understand that it is important to have a good presence on the internet. If you have not heard of Google then you have probably been on the moon for the last couple of years! Google is now the world's biggest brand, second year in a row! If your website is not found when searching on Google you are missing out on a lot of new business. You might even be losing clients to your competitors and not even know it. Having a good, search engine optimized, website is like having your company brochure available to 2 billion internet users all around the world. OK, so you won't sell a bicycle to someone in China, but nevertheless you need to be on the internet as there are millions of internet searches done everyday right here in South Africa.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It refers to the optimization of a website's content and structure to improve its visibility on search engine results pages (SERP) like Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. 

SEO is essential for any website because it helps to drive relevant traffic to the website. By optimizing the website for search engines, businesses can increase the online visibility of their website, attract more visitors, improve engagement, and ultimately convert those visitors into customers.

Through SEO, businesses can also ensure that their site is optimized for specific keywords that potential customers are using to search for queries related to their services and products. This can lead to a significant boost in visibility and traffic, especially for businesses operating in competitive industries where it's challenging to stand out from the crowd.

Graphic design is integral to a company's professional image because it helps to visually communicate the brand's values, messaging, and overall aesthetic. A professional graphic design can create a consistent and cohesive visual identity that aligns with the company's brand voice and values, making it easier for consumers to recognize and trust the brand. Additionally, effective graphic design can also help to differentiate a company from its competitors by conveying unique branding elements that set the company apart. Overall, graphic design is an essential component of a company's professional image as it helps to establish brand recognition and credibility in the eyes of consumers.

Having a dedicated domain for email is important for several reasons:

1. Brand identity: A dedicated domain helps create a professional image for your business by giving your emails a branded look. This not only creates a strong brand identity, but it also helps build credibility with customers and clients.

2. Legitimacy: Using a free email service provider such as Gmail or Yahoo Mail can make your business appear less legitimate. Having a dedicated domain for emails shows that you are an established business and take your online presence seriously.

3. Better deliverability: Using a dedicated domain for emails can improve deliverability rates since many email servers are suspicious of emails coming from free email accounts.

4. Customizability: A dedicated domain allows you to create custom email addresses for different departments or employees in your business. This can help with organization and communication within your company.