If
you opt to have a web designer develop your site
you will have to pay that designer. Even if you
decide to try and design it yourself, you're
going to have to purchase a good web design
software program, which can run into thousands
of rands. And you will have to learn how to use
it, which is very time-consuming.
The normal costs for a web site from most web
site developers can easily run into thousands of
rands, mostly because they try to sell you
things that you really don't need in your site
like flash presentations or complicated content
management systems. If the site is not designed
for minimal maintenance ongoing fees can easily
eat away at your budget.
Domain Name
This is the URL for your web site, or your web
address (e.g. http://www.mywebsite.com). You
have two options for your domain name. You can
rent it or purchase it.
If
you purchase it, you will own that domain name.
You can purchase a domain name through your
local service provider or go directly to the
company that operates the domain name registry.
Many hosting companies offer free or discounted
domain names if you use their service. Keep in
mind that you won't own the domain name. You
will just be renting it from that company. And,
if you stop using that company's services you
will lose that domain name.
Hosting
You need an internet service provider to host
your web site unless you want to buy a server,
get a T1 connection etc. This would be expensive
and is not recommended.
Internet service
providers
will charge you a monthly fee to host your site
on their servers. There are many differences is
hosting services. Some offer low cost hosting
with limited services while others offer a
variety of services.
Design Options
