AlphaWeb

computer training+design+hosting

Questions & answers

Why do I need my own domain name right now?

Domain names are allocated by Uniforum SA on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a domain name has been registered, it is no longer available. The most popular and easily- remembered domain names are being reserved daily, at the rate of over 300,000 worldwide per month!

The domain name is unique and will give your company or organization a competitive edge and a recognisable identity on the Internet. You can use this name for your website, for email and for FTP.

You will have exclusive use and rights to the domain name.

A good domain name creates an added inherent value to your organization. Domain names that reflect your organisation's name (i.e. iafrica.com, microsoft.co.za, bmw.co.za) are an invaluable asset to your company as this is the first place your customers will try to find you on the Net.

Your own domain and website reflects that your company is established and up to date with the advances of the 20th Century.

to set the pace, not follow in your competitor's wake.

to avoid costs of address changes later on.

to avoid somebody else from registering the domain name you want.

to maximize the chances of a successful internet presence.

Eventually, the .co.za's will be all taken up! Don't be left behind - the faster you act, the better your chances for getting the domain name you want.

Once a domain name is taken, you would have to track down the owner to get it and you will definitely have to pay far more for your name in that case.

What if I'm not a business?

Domain names aren't just for companies. People everywhere are securing domain names for personal or group use.

There are already over 45 000 domains registered in the .co.za domain. Don't be caught out! Each month thousands of Domain Names are being reserved. It's time to take advantage of the internet boom!

Your domain name is your business card on the Web: an easily remembered website address ensures added exposure and visits. With over 50 million users logging onto the Internet every day there is no other market that can compare!

If you have not already registered your domain it is now time to do so!

Domain name reservation

Do you currently own a domain but want somewhere to keep it until you decide what to do with it?

We provide basic DNS and domain parking for a domain for any length of time at no charge provided you undertake to host with us for at least 6 months once you are ready to implement a website on your domain.

Search engine registration and promotion

We will provide traffic to your site by offering advice concerning advertising options, registering your site with all major search engines, numerous minor ones and other applicable sites. We will also provide a link from our own site. The latest promotion techniques will be applied when registering your site.

Public web sites are a waste of money if nobody visits them. You need interested visitors - an audience.

One of the most important ways in which the web works is through the use of search-engines. They can attract visitors to your site by interested surfers finding your site thanks to the search. Many visitors are also attracted by banner ads placed on popular sites (such as search-engines). The interested party clicks your ad to find out more in response to your message.

We can design and place banner ads for you to help make your site work better. We may also be able to help if you're looking for sponsorship for your site through advertising. (i.e. placing our banners on your site thereby reducing fees owed to us)

Typical advertising charges vary from R190.00 CPM (cost per thousand impressions), although some sites charge by the month, or even by the number clicking through to your site. Contact us to help develop your on-line advertising strategy.

One recent survey has shown that 70% of public Web sites generate at least 20% of their traffic from search-engines listings, with the balance coming from advertising, other forms of promotion, and repeat visits. In addition to general site-promotion consultancy, VSphereNet offers a specialised search-engine publicising service which can be tailored to meet the promotional needs of individual sites.

We attempt to demystify the hype surrounding search-engine submissions and to make it clear how your site could benefit from the services we offer.

The key elements are:

Understand your target audience.
What general key words or phrases might they use for searches?
Would they use particular sections in classified directories?
Would they use any of the specialised directories. If so, which ones?
Include your chosen key words (and any other that appear relevant to your site) in your pages following the above guidlines.
Submit the site to all the major search engines plus any specialised directories that appear relevant - do this systematically ensuring that information is provided in full and in the specified format, keeping proper records of all submissions.
Monitor how people arrived at your site to assess the traffic being generated by the various search engines i.e. the source of your hits.
At regular intervals (3 months is recommended for a serious site) review your rankings in the major search engines on selected search terms, along with referral traffic, and resubmit with modified key words if required
We can help with all of the above elements either as a package, or by providing selected elements. Please call us to discuss your requirements.

Please contact us for a quotation and if you require advice on which services might be most effective for your site.

Domain forwarding

Forwarding domain name to any other URL worldwide.