What is a Domain Name?
Domain names are your internet address eg. www.yourplace.com etc there are many different 'extensions' to a domain name like .com.au .net.au .com .net .org .tv etc.

Which Extension Should I Choose?

What Name Should I Use?
Many people browsing the internet try to guess names, so make it as close as possible to your business name or product brand. The shorter the better I would suggest 5 to 10 is a good number. Some search engines use key words in your domain name to determine you placement, so if you have a brand or item that applies to your company, use it! eg. If your sold glassex marbles and you sold to Australia only a good choice for you would be, www.marbles.com.au or www.glassex.com.au

How do I get a Domain Name?
Once you have chosen a domain name you want, give us a call and we'll register it for you.

How Much Does it Cost?
Click here for pricing.

What should be on my web site?
The internet is for obtaining information. Anything your clients or visitors ask for on a regular basis should be on your web site. Save the time of your staff having to answer questions or send out information by adding things like, application forms, product specs and product photos. Remember the site is for your visitors so ensure it is what they want, not just telling them how good you are.

What do I do before talking to a designer?
First step of the process is to decide what the purpose of the web site is. Is it to promote a particular product or service, to promote a company image or to give information etc.

Ask your staff what they think should be on the web site. Not only may they think of something important you have missed, if they have input into the web site then they are more likely to promote it once it's finished (a very important tool to make your site a success.)

Look for other web sites you like, to give your designer direction on the style that you like.

How do I write my content?
Write for your viewers, What do they want? What would benefit them? Do not take the hard sell approach. The customer has hundreds of other web sites to sift through if they aren't comfortable or can't find what they want easily they will move on.

Give your visitors something to make them stay or return, an informational based web site may include a poll or help forum, a greeting card company might add a free electronic greeting card service, a security company might provide free home security tips etc. (your designer will be able to give you tips on what you could provide).

Make it short to the point and easy to read. Visit your competitors sites see what they are including.

How does content effect my search engine placement?
Search engines use different methods to decide your ranking but many of them search through the text on your site to find relevant key words and phrases. Unlike traditional writing you should repeat keywords like the type of product or service etc. For example: "Evoke Studios creates professional web sites. The web sites are customised to your needs. Call Evoke Studios if you are interested in having a web site designed."

How do I choose the look of my site?
Your site designer will deal with all the technical issues on how your web site will appear. Web sites are like a piece of art there are many different ideas and looks so you will need to give your designer direction on the type of look you are after.

Look at other sites (not just your competitors, sites that you would visit to get something) what appealed to you, why did you stay on that web site, what sites did you leave straight away and why, what colours do you like. All this information will help your designer come up with a design that suits you.

Should I put photo's on my web site?
Yes, since people can't touch or feel the item they need to be able to see it. Photos are important in establishing trust, your visitors will want to see the product or see you have the equipment etc. to perform the service you are offering. Taking photos yourself is ok however if it is in your budget a professional photographer will be able to give your product more appeal and in the end a web site with a more impacting result.

Should I put music or animations on my web site?
This will depend entirely on the type of web site you are running but as a general rule I would discourage it. Music and animation slow down the loading time of your web site and are of no interest to your visitor, likely you will be the only one who views the animations others will skip it.

If you don't allow your visitors to skip the animation or turn off the music then they may leave and go some where else that does not make them wait. Visitors viewing your site at work do not want music blaring out of the computer when they are trying to be discrete. Save the money and put it into more information on your web site that will benefit your visitor.

If you are a band or music distributor my advice would be different.

My web site is now designed, how do I get it onto the Internet?
You will need to choose a Hoster who will store your web site on a computer that is able to be accessed by the internet 24 hours a day. These computers have special software installed.

Now my site is designed, is that it can I leave it now?
No!! You will now need to promote it, keep it up to date and check the visitors to your site.

How do I promote the site?
Many different ways but don't forget the little things. Ensure the site address appears on all stationary, business cards and marketing material. Put the address in some visible area on your premises, from of the building, reception area. Ensure your staff are letting people know it's there eg. "yes I can fax that application form to you. Did you know it is also available on our web site with lots of other thing you may need?" Register with search engines, exchange links with other relevant web sites, join directories etc that are related to your industry.

How do I keep my web site up to date?
There is nothing worse than a web site that has out of date information and once a visitor sees that the page is out of date they will not trust the rest of the web site. You can update the web site yourself using editors that are very simple to use or have your designer quote you on changing necessary parts of your web site.

How do I check visitors to my site?
Most web site hosts have site statistics that will allow you to see, the number of visitors to your site, what they are looking at and where they have come from as well as much more information. Keeping an eye on these statistic will allow you to see if people are missing a particular part of your web site that may need to be moved or called something else to get peoples attention. You can see which search engines or partner sites are directing visitors your way.

If you wish to discuss getting a web site designed by Evoke Studios please give us a call to answer any further questions.