Technical talk converted to Wooza talk!

This page was created for all those who want their own website, but feel that they can't move to the next step because they are so confused by all the technical jargon and the multitude of packages offered out there in the market place today.  Well, we couldn't agree with you more - in fact this is why Wooza was founded - to make things easier.

We at Wooza have decided to provide you with some easy-to-understand explanations regarding the most commonly used website terminologies so that you are well equipped when talking to other companies, website designers or programmers about building a website! Here they are:

1) What is a website?

A website is a space on the web that stores all sorts of digital content such as photos, text, video etc. available for anybody to access and view as long as he/she has a device with an internet connection and web browser software.  People buy a web designer to create a web site or build their own in order to provide their clients/members/target market with a digital platform  regarding  information about their business or organisation.   Such information will usually be presented as various linked pages related to the information on the page such as , , , etc. The number of pages as well as the content stored on each page is totally up to the YOU!

To gauge the importance of a website, think about how many times you resorted to a quick search on the internet for that elusive contact number of a business as opposed to checking the phone book?  Today owning a website is as important as owning a telephone line and not having one may result in your competitors getting to those potential customers before you do!

2) What is a website address?

Your business or home has a physical address so people can always find you, right? Well a website is no different and when people wish to access your website in order to view certain information stored on it, they will need your website address. These are often in the form of www.yourwebsite.co.za. It is important to note that the terms "URL" and "website link" are synonymous with a website address and these are commonly interchanged when referring to the a website address.

3) What is a domain name?

This forms part of the website address (see above) and is unique to each website. Just as we have different dialing codes for each country so too we have different domains for various cateogies of website such as the region (.co.za for South Africa), entity (.org for organizations or .com for commercial entities) and specialist (.mobi for mobile websites) to name a few of these categories.

4) How do I get a web address?

Before you choose a web address you will need to make sure that it isn't already taken by someone else. If the name is available then you will have to register it. Web addresses must be registered with a certified registrar or reseller. Depending on what type of domain you want to register (.co.za, .com, .net etc) you will need to choose an apporporiate registrar or reseller. It is important to note that there are MANY companies out there who are capable of registering your web address with various domains, but although the management of these domains is regulated, price is not so be sure to check what you are receiving for the price you are paying.

5) What is hosting?

OK, so now you have your own website with your unique website address  and domain name so you're good to go, right? WRONG! Just as we rent a physical premises for our business, we also need to store our website in the digital world and pay "rent" for this. In the digital world a rental fee is equivalent to, a hosting fee. A hosting server is one that is ALWAYS connected to the internet with its main purpose to provide the necessary information when someone tries to connect to your website.  There are many hosting companies out there that charge you a monthly/annual hosting fee for storing/hosting your website. These fees can range from R15pm to thousands of Rands per month depending on your website requirements.

6) What is hosting disk space?

Disk space is the amount of storage space your hosting company provides you to store your website content. The amount of space you need will depend on the content stored on the pages of your website.

7) What is hosting bandwidth/traffic?

Every time somebody accesses or views your website - he or she is actually downloading content from the server (hosting PC) that your website is stored on. Likewise, every time you update your website with new images, text etc - you are uploading content to your server.  All hosting companies monitor the amount of uploading and downloading performed on your website each month.

8) How do I get people to see my website?

Now that you have your website stored on a hosting server ready for the world to see there's just one more thing - you need to let the world know that your website exists on the web. There are a number of ways to drive people (website traffic) to your website.  To  name a few: word of mouth, hard copy adverts (magazines, newspaper adverts with your website address on).  Then there are the ever growing digital advertising media such as Google Adwords, online banners, bulk emails etc. Digital advertising is explained in more depth below.

9) Digitial Advertising (Google Adwords, Social Media etc)

There are a number of ways to advertise your website on the web and thus attract people to your website. These include:

Google Adwords: This is a service offered by Google where you can have adverts of your business appear in Google Search results. Adverts are displayed along with search results when someone searches Google using one of your keywords (which would relate to the content on your website). Ads appear under 'Sponsored links' in the side column of a search page, and may also appear in additional positions above the free search results. That way, you'll be advertising to an audience that's already interested in your nature of business. Google uses a feature "Pay Per Click" which means that you are only charged if somebody clicks on the website link in your advert that has appeared on the search results page.  The cost per each click will depend on the keyword entered to bring up your advert.

Digital banners: Many websites sell advertising space on their website - this works in exactly the same way as you would pay for an advert of yours to be displayed on a billboard.

Electronic pamphlets: Also known as (bulk emailing) electronic pamphlets are emails sent our to a database of email addresses.

Social Media: Everybody is talking about Twitter and Facebook - but what are they? These are websites that connect people around the world and accommodate huge amounts of online social activity which include building up online friends, posting messages to each other, storing photographs and much more. How can this help your website attract people?  Just as people talk and gossip about your business in the physical world and rave about the superb service you offer; more and more people are expressing these opinions on the Internet mostly in the form of social media (facebook, twitter, on line blogs etc). In return these referrals will drive people to your website.  See 10) Do I need a Facebook page for my website?

10) How do I see if my website is performing?

You can monitor performance of your website by using online analytical toots offered by many hosting companies. One of the more popular Website Analytical tools and one that Wooza endorses is that which has been produced by Goolgle called Google Analytics. Using Google Analytics you will receive periodic reports that provide data such: number of people that vist your site; geographical location of website visitors; most visited web page etc. Read more here

11) Do I need a Facebook page for my website?

We at Wooza say YES to this question for the following reasons: it's FREE, it provides a direct communication platform between you and your clients in real time, it is growing exponentially every day.  Having a Facebook page for your business/website will allow you to be connected to your clients all of the time which has the following advantages: receive client feedback instantly (i.e. what products or services they are happy/unhappy about?); let your clients know about specials, new products etc by posting a message and having it appear on their Facebook page immediately.  As your clients see the posted messages on your Facebook page (and they are interested) this will in turn  draw them to your website for more info!