These are questions that we are
often asked about the Internet, and about our services. If you have a question that isn't
answered here, please contact us and we will add it to the list.
About the Internet
Doing Business on the Web
Page Design
Web Presence Hosting
Following Up
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a vast collection of computer networks, with millions of users across the
world. Individual users of the Internet can communicate with one another, and retrieve information from other
computers, do their shopping online by using a variety of protocols such as telnet, ftp (file transfer
protocol), gopher and http (hypertext transfer protocol).
Is the Internet the
same as online services such as VSNL ?
Online services are not equivalent to the Internet. Many online services now include some
form of Internet access, however such access may not provide you with all the features
that you could use if you had direct access to the Internet. If you mainly need to receive
and send electronic mail (e-mail), and don't plan to use the Internet for more than a few
hours a week, an online service may be adequate.
I have
access to e-mail. Can I use other features of the Internet?
E-mail access does not
necessarily imply
complete Internet access. In order to gain complete Internet access, you need to set up an
account with an Internet Service Provider. Most providers offer unlimited access for a low
monthly fee. Unlike online services, a direct Internet connection generally incurs no
additional charges for the amount of time you spend online. If you are reading this page
using your own Internet account, you should already have a full Internet connection.
I'm
currently using someone else's computer. Do I need my own Internet connection?
An Internet connection is not necessary to use CyberStation Design's
services. We recommend, however, that you obtain an e-mail account if you wish to use
services that provide interactive feedback from your customers. If you decide to obtain an
Internet connection.
What is the
World Wide Web?
The World Wide Web (often referred to as "the Web" or WWW) is a system that
provides access to information on the Internet in a "hypertext" format. Hypertext allows the user to navigate
through many different sources of information by following a series of links that connect
different documents. These resources can be located on the same computer, or on a
completely different computer half-way across the world. Hypertext documents are made
available on the Internet using a computer specially configured for this purpose (a Web
server) and retrieved through hypertext transfer protocol (http).
How will a
Web presence benefit my organisation?
The Web is the most
rapidly-growing area of technology associated with the Internet. Benefits of a Web
presence include:
- Be Proud to have your own Web Site
for custommer support and for online
Bussiness at www.yourcompany.com
- A rapid and effective way to
communicate information on your products and services to a world-wide audience.
- A Web presence often costs less
than traditional advertising, and provides more exposure.
- Your information is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Your company can communicate more
effectively with the customer through the use of surveys and feedback forms. You can even
monitor the usage of your information to determine how effective your site is.
- Get your customers to visit your site at
www.yourcompany.com
Is the Web
going to increase my business?
Many businesses which have
established a Web site value the increased customer interaction and exposure that a
well-designed Web presence brings. However, the Web may not be an appropriate medium for
all businesses. We
can analyze the options available for your organisation and provide you with information to help you make this decision. We can
also recommend other alternatives that may be more suitable for your particular business.
How do I get
my business on the Web?
There are two main stages in
designing a Web presence. First, the information (text and images) that you supply needs
to be converted into hypertext documents. Next, the documents have to be placed on a Web
server. CyberStation Design has services that cover both these aspects of designing a Web
presence. We can design your pages according to your specifications, or you can leave the
creative part to us. If you currently have an Internet Service Provider, you may be able
to host your own Web pages. If not, we provide a variety of page hosting services.
I have
existing company brochures, advertisements and fliers that I'd like to use in a Web page.
Is this possible?
We generally recommend submitting material in electronic format, as text-only files and images in
specified file formats. If you do not have electronic versions available, we can convert
your existing material to electronic format, however, additional charges will apply.
Will the
Web pages look exactly like my printed materials?
No, the language of the Web (HTML) is not intended to be a page layout language. While your Web page can contain all the
information that your printed brochure does, it is not possible to specify details such as
font type, exact colours and page size. Different Web browsers will display the same page
differently, depending on the default settings used by the viewer.
How long
does it take to get my Web presence designed?
The time will vary depending on the amount of material that you need on your Web site. A standard
Web presence can be designed in approximately five working days. If you require
customised features, the design time is longer. We will supply you with a complete
quotation and time estimate when we receive your material.
I'm viewing
a Web page and some of the text looks odd - all the words run together. What's wrong?
Most Web pages are designed to standards set by the World Wide Web organisation. However,
some Web browsers may not support all these standards. If you are experiencing problems,
check to see if you are using the latest version of your Web browser. You can also try
using another browser.
Can I host
my Web presence on another provider's site?
Yes, there is no obligation to use our hosting
services after we have designed your Web presence. You should contact your Internet
provider to ensure that you have access to space for hosting your Web presence. You will
also need to use ftp and/or telnet to install and maintain your Web files.
What
hosting services does CyberStation Design provide?
We have several
options available
starting at as little as Rs.690/month. More advanced services include our Virtual Server hosting and Professional
Web Site Design. All hosting services include weekly access statistics and there is
no extra charge for traffic to your site.
What is a
Virtual Server?
Many big companies run their own Internet server, which typically costs
Rs.75,000-Rs.180,000 for equipment, Rs.50,000/month for a high-speed Internet connection
and Rs.1,656,000/year for a "Webmaster" to maintain the server. With a Virtual
Server, you will enjoy all the benefits of having your own Internet server, except it will
cost you much less - as little as Rs.1000/month. The cost is shared among other clients
with the Virtual Server system. You also receive your own registered Domain Name and up to
10MB of space for your Web presence.
What is a
Domain Name?
A domain name is a unique name that identifies your organisation on the Internet.
Registering a domain name is similar to registering a trademark or trade name; once your
domain name is registered, only you can use that name. Your Web site will be listed simply
as http://www.yourcompany.com,
where "yourname" is the unique company name that you choose. Without a
registered domain name, your Web site will be located at
http://cyber-station.base.org/yourname/. Once you register your domain name, it is yours even if you later
change to another Internet provider.
My Web
presence has been designed and hosted. How do my customers find out about it?
Finding information on the Web can sometimes be a daunting task. If your Web pages are hosted and
Designed by CyberStation, we will list your site in 200 of the Internet's most popular
indexes and
databases, using the appropriate keywords so that your site can be found by using common
Internet search engines. These indexes and databases are updated periodically. Due to the
large amount of new sites appearing on the Internet every day, some search engines may
require over six weeks to process your registration. If your pages are not hosted by
CyberStation Design, you should check with your Internet Service Provider to make these
arrangements.
My Web site
has been live for a few days already, but I haven't got any phone calls or e-mail from
customers. What happened?
Remember that it may take more than six weeks for your site to appear in Internet indexes
and databases. Also keep in mind that a Web presence is only one aspect of marketing your
products or services, and does not, in itself, produce overnight results. Your Web site should supplement and
enhance existing forms of promotion, not replace them entirely. You can maximise the benefit of your
Web presence to existing customers, by including your Web address (www.yourname.com) in your business cards, letterheads and
publicity materials.
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