Memory Communication Services

Web Site Creation

Setting up a web site can be about as easy as placing a card in a newsagent's window - and at the same running cost. Everything above that is elaboration that needs to be justified. 

Purpose of Site

The first step in the creation process is to determine the site's purpose. This then determines the type of design to be used. There are two fundamentally different types of design – static which is used for informative or advertising purposes, and dynamic which is used for transactions with the customer eg a search engine, or an online shop.

The first is cheap and simple. The second is more complex and potentially expensive – particularly if things go wrong. But only the second type can directly earn money by selling goods online.

Static Site Design - Informative

There are no absolute rules. In general the "right" design is the one the client wants and fits in with the way he/she wants their work to be presented to the customer.  In addition the site should provide a "give and take" experience for both client and viewer. The client having paid for the site needs to get a return from the viewer. So the web structure should lead the viewer to what they want to see in a fashion that conveys the client's message on the way. Feedback to the client from the viewer should be provided by a guest book, or contact form. Note that openly publishing email contact details is now an open door to spammers so it should be avoided.

Dynamic Site Design – e-commerce

Many web hosting companies (mostly US) now offer e-commerce turnkey web shops which provide displays of goods, shopping baskets and secure purchase and payment clearance facilities. The client can customize the design and add and organize goods for sale. See 1&1 Internet Ltd. Such sites offer an attractive entry into e-commerce.

It is possible to design such sites from scratch but for small businesses it is likely to be uneconomic to do so.

Domain Names

Domain names with extensions (for example .co.uk .com .org .biz) are purchased on a first come basis for typically 2 years and registered with the purchaser. Cost is typically in the region of £6.00. See 123-reg.co.uk They may then be lodged with a hosting company so that web traffic is directed to the site.

The domain name can also be used for e-mail addresses with or without web hosting.

Hosting

The site is best hosted at a company specializing in the work rather than at an ISP. Charges are based on traffic (often stated as bandwidth) and start from as little as £20 per year.

Maintenance

Static sites require little maintenance in the way of text updating but dynamic sites are labour intensive - an e-shop needs an e-shopkeeper. It would be as well to provide for this at the web design stage.

Contact me for further details about Web services  ~~~~