So your business has reached the point where it needs a web site. Well let's begin by looking at what you need to get the whole thing up and running and selling for you.

The Web Site:- A web site comprises one or more pages, interconnected in some way so that the viewer can find their way around. This site consists of several separate pages connected by the links on the left hand side. Although we use the word "page" because it is easier to think in terms of a paper document a web page can, in reality, be any length you wish. The whole of this site could be on one page, It's divided into separate pages to make it easier for the general public to find their way around and to simplify the job of updating information as it changes.

The Host:- Once you have the site ready to sell for you, you need a place on the internet to put it. This is the server, a costly piece of equipment, expensive to maintain and needs to be connected to the phone lines 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week. It is also considerably larger than any of us need for our individual web sites. So instead of buying one we rent a small amount of space on someone else's. This is the host.

Free Hosts:- Many of us already have a host available, it comes free from our internet service provider. Firms like btinternet, Freeserve, Onetel etc. provide it when you sign up. So why shouldn't we use this free space? In some cases there is no reason at all. However, check your terms and conditions, some internet service providers prohibit business sites from using free space, in other cases there are limits on the amount or types of files which can be used, but worst of all some free web space comes complete with pop up ads for other people's products, It looks cheap and unprofessional and is the last thing you want after you have put all that effort into selling your own.

Uploading your site to the host:- Once you have decided upon the host you need to send the web site from your computer up to your web space on the host. This requires a piece of software called an "FTP client". if you choose Guestlist as your host we can do all this for you. If you have your site designed by Guestlist but choose a different host we can supply the FTP software with full instructions on how to set it up and transfer your site to your chosen host.

Updating the site:- Last of all you need to be able to change the information on the web site from time to time, prices may change or you may wish to delete or add products. With a Guestlist designed site we will give you full instructions for updating the site in most cases using the software you are using for your word processing. Or if you choose the hosting and maintenance package we can design the site, host it and make any updates and changes for you as they become necessary.

Just a couple of other things which you may find useful.

Domain names:- Your web site needs an address so that everyone can find it. All hosts provide you with one automatically, It's usually the host's address with your site name tacked on the end. If you use Guestlist as a host your address would be "www.guestlistwebarts.co.uk/yourname" If you buy a domain name it's rather like a personalised number plate and you take it with you wherever you go e.g. "www.yourname.com" easier for your customers to remember and if you change hosts you simply get it redirected to the new host.

Data transfer:- Often called Bandwidth in error, the term describes the amount of data sent down the phone line when someone visits your site. Some hosts charge extra for data transfer, others include the cost of more than you could possibly need in your rental. At Guestlist it is included in the hosting fee and is based on a realistic assessment of the number of visitors anticipated and the size and nature of the web site.