Setting up web sites

[Mr Williams]

I am a real novice when it comes to technology but my boss has told me to find out how to set up a web site, linking it to our domain name. Are there any sites you could recommend or advice you could give please?

[lisaj]

Yep. A domain name is hosted using nameservers and these dictate which physical server handle things such as mail. The www bit is a record here and can either be a machine, or an alias to another address. For example, you could point the address www.mydomain.com to your actual webspace address www.myisp.com/myusername. Alternatively, sign up a proper web hosting account and get your site, and domain, professionally hosted. If you need more help in this area I'm more than able to give it, but I think plugging my professional services as a web technology consultant is against the T&C's of this site.

[Hippy]

It's fun to find out with your personal site, but for a professional Web presence, use the professionals. The reputation of your business is a fragile commodity, and however well intentioned, amateur commercial sites are often a joke.

Why do people in business think that they can get an efective Web site for the cost of a take-away meal and a pint. They would not expect to get a Yellow Pages (other advertising media are available) insert for penny washers!

Your boss will thank you for recommending a capable professional outfit when the orders start rolling in, and the image and visibility of the company is enhanced. The professionals will also advise on a company-wide Web strategy and awareness. It will become part of the structure of whole marketing ethos - not just a bolt on freebie advert.

[lisaj]

Hear hear Hippy! I take it you've met a few "I-read-a-book-on-HTML-when-I-was-made-redundant-and-now-I-sell-web-design-services" types then ;-)