Web FAQ

What is a Web Site?
Why do I need a Web Site?
What if I want to change my Web Site once it is up and running?
My business isn't usually associated with computers, why do I need a Web Site?
What sort of people will I reach by having a Web Site?
I don't understand computers, aren't Web Sites very complicated?
I'm already listed on someone else's Site, why do I need my own?
How will potential customers find my Web Site?
One of my competitors has a Web Site and says nobody seems to visit it, what is he doing wrong?
What is a domain name?
What is web hosting?
My nephew says he can design a Web Site for me - why not?

What is a Web Site?

Think of a Web Site as an electronic brochure for your business which can be looked at by anyone in the world who has access to the Internet via their PC. As with a brochure, your Web Site can have as many pages as you like, with pictures, photographs and text chosen by you.

Why do I need a Web Site?
Web Sites are used to attract new customers who would not otherwise have heard of you. In the not too distant future, every family will be able to access the Internet via the television in their front room - that's a lot of potential customers. Web Sites can also give information about your company, products and services to your existing customers and contacts. Remember that your Web Site will be available 24 hours a day.

What if I want to change my Web Site once it is up and running?

No problem. A Web Site is much easier and cheaper to change than printed advertising. If you alter your prices or products, the Web Site can be updated in a matter of hours to reflect the changes.

My business isn't usually associated with computers, why do I need a Web Site?
The Internet is gaining new users at a phenomenal rate. Every day thousands of people are joining the Internet, either at home or at work. You can use the Internet to order your supermarket shopping, book a holiday, do your banking and many other activities not normally associated with computers. Many people use the Internet as a kind of Yellow Pages to find the service or product they want.

What sort of people will I reach by having a Web Site?
Customers from all over the world - huge corporations, small companies, schools, universities, ordinary people, there's no end to the list. Why limit your advertising to one sector of the population?

I don't understand computers, aren't Web Sites very complicated?
A Web Site just tells the world about your business and how to contact you. All you need to do is tell us what you want to say and we'll do the rest. If your company has existing brochures and stationary, this is usually a basis for designing your Web Site.

I'm already listed on someone else's Site, why do I need my own?
Some companies offer web sites which group together similar businesses onto one Web Site. This can be a cheap way of getting onto the Internet, but they can only offer limited information to customers. If you have your own Web Site you can decide what to say, how to say it, and change it as often as you like.

How will potential customers find my Web Site?
There are millions of businesses advertising on the Internet. In order for potential customers to find you, instead of your competitors, the Web Site needs careful placement in the Internet. 'Search Engines' are the Internet equivalent of Yellow Pages, we make sure your business is correctly placed.

One of my competitors has a Web Site and says nobody seems to visit it, what is he doing wrong?
The placement of the Site is probably incorrect - potential customers can't find it, or he isn't promoting the site by printing the address on all stationary etc. A well-designed Web Site is useless if it is not correctly placed.

What is a domain name?
A domain name is the address of your web site. The domain name of this site is www.lancasterhunt.co.uk. You will need to buy a domain name for your web site, in the same way that you need a postal address for your business. The .co.uk part of the domain name denotes a uk company, many other suffixes are available eg. .com, .org, .org.uk. Just tell us what you would like as domain name and we will register it for you if it is available.

What is web hosting?
All web sites on the internet have to physically reside on a computer, this computer is called a server. The space reserved for your web site on a server is called hosting. You rent hosting from other internet companies, usually on a yearly basis. Lancaster Hunt can provide the hosting for your web site.

My nephew says he can design a Web Site for me - why not?
Web Sites designed by amateurs usually look amateurish! A Web Site needs a professional finish and layout in the same way that a company brochure does, if your nephew is a professional Web designer then let him do it, otherwise find a company who will still be around when your Web Site needs updating.