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Web Design FAQ
Q. How can I get a domain name for my ISP's workspace?
Q. What is a dedicated IP and do I need one?
Q. Where can I get free hosting?
Q. How can I promote my website offline?
Q. Will my choice of domain name affect the google ranking?
Answers for Web Designers
Q. Where can I get a simple free domain name?
Visit www.dot.tk. A range of free .tk domain names are available. All you need is an existing website hosted somewhere and you can setup an auto redirect to your homepage, eg.:
www.ahomepage.tk ---> members.an-isp.com/~username
I wouldn't recommend it for a large organisation, primarily because .tk is not a widely recognised TLD (Top Level Domain), but if you have a webpage with a verbose address on a free server then go for it.
More info - http://www.dot.tk
Domain names aren't that expensive to register so I really think if you are going to be serious about your business then you need a .com.au
Q. What is a dedicated IP and do I need one?
A dedicated IP is an IP address that does not change. On a dial-up internet connection you may have a dynamic IP. That means each time you disconnect and reconnect you get a new IP address.
If you have a hosting provider, then you do not need one. If you are hosting on your own internet connection (some businesses with their own servers do this), then you should have a dedicated IP. Dedicated IP addresses are often allocated to sites which require Anonymous FTP, or their own SSL certificate.
ARIN.NET
"Because the number of available IP Addresses on the Internet is limited, many factors must be considered in the determination of address space allocations. Therefore, IP address space is allocated to ISP's using a slow-start model. Allocations are based on justified need, not solely on a predicted customer base."
Q. Where can I get free hosting?
A. There are many free web hosting providers around, try
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/Web_Design_and_Development/Hosting/Free/
for a summary. We only charge a small fee for web hosting. There are cheaper web hosting companies but if you want someone local that you can call on the phone and visit if you like then you probably would prefer if I host your website for you.
Q. How can I promote my website offline in the real world?
A. The few ways I've found is:
TELL PEOPLE! Talk. It's what everyone does, so might as well use it!
Get business cards, give them to everyone you meet. strangers and family and friends and leave a few on the supermarket bulletin board
Flyers. Flyers can help but don't expect great results
Newspapers can be a great advertising medium.
Providing free services has the added value of creating good will in the online community, local newspaper editors like this sort of thing.
Try contacting your local newspaper to have a feature written about you/your business as a 'human interest' piece. An article that has local relevance and appeals to a wider audience will work best.
Apply a decal to your car with your domain name on it.
Get your URL printed on TShirts, and then give them away to cute girls and guys at the beach.
Q. Will my choice of domain name affect the google ranking?
Google, and many other SE's for that matter, don't put much (any?) weight on the domain name as they do on anchor text of links, and page titles. You could go with vxoxo.com, and it still would not affect your ranking.
However , when people link to you, would want the anchor text to relate to your website topic and people are more likely to do this if your domain name is related to that. Time spent finding a good domain name is usually time well spent. The more memorable the better.
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