S3 PRODUCTIONS has answered many questions about the Internet and related subjects. Below are some of the more frequent questions.
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• Why do I need a web site?

  The World Wide Web offers businesses the ability to present themselves and their products or services 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

  Your business can spend a small fortune on business cards, ads and brochures that are inevitably discarded or lost. However, your web site can always be found and is always available.

  Seeking information is one of the main reasons consumers access the Internet. Potential customers will use your web site as a communications channel, enabling them to access your business and products at their leisure.

• What is a Domain Name and do I need one?

  A domain name forms part of your address on the internet. For example http://www.yourbusinessname.com.au is the online address with yourbusinessname.com.au being the domain name.

  Having a domain name makes it easier for customers to remember and find your web site. It also promotes a professional look for your business as your email will also reflect the domain name.

• Do I need to have a business name to have a web site?

  You don't need a registered business name to register a .com or a .net - the domain name just needs to be available.

  To register a .com.au, .net.au or .org.au domain name you do need to have a registered business name.

• How much will a web site cost?

  The cost of developing a web site can vary according to its size and complexity. To avoid overspending it's important that you establish what is required from your web site at the beginning. From this, features to be included can be costed and a budget developed.

  Often developing your website in phases gives you the ability to modify your goals as you learn more about how your business works online.

• How will people find my web site?

  Choosing a domain name where customers can intuitively type in your web site address is a good start. After that, monitor where your website comes up in the search results. You may find that your company name returns your website in the search results, but not your products. This could mean that your site needs to be optimised for how search engines rank websites and their content.

• Am I getting the most out of my website?

  Are customers telling you they can't find information on your website? Then you are NOT getting the most out of your website!

  It can be as easy as keeping content up-to-date and relevent and have site navigation that makes sense to your customers. Include your website in your marketing and branding strategies. Analyse your site's statistics to improve your content and search engine results.

  Website are about talking to your customers - not talking at them.

• Do I need to use Social Media?

  Social Media can be a powerful tool. However, it may not suit all businesses.

  Your audience wants engaging and informative content they can interact with - not sales pitches. To successfully use Social Media requires time to develop and update the content and to plan what aspect of your business most suits this medium.

  If you do Social Media badly, you are better off not doing it at all!