I just want a website ... what are all these terms!?!
Am I supposed to understand all of this?
It is wise to have a basic understanding about what it is you are paying for when having a website built. I have rounded up some simplified definitions for terms you will come across:
Hosting
"Hosting (also known as website hosting or web hosting) is the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more websites. In a sense, you rent space on a computer to hold your website." - GoDaddy.com
"Web hosts are what make websites accessible over the Internet. This means they keep all the webpages of the hosted site on their server, they take care of all the setup and technical issues, and they have a very high-speed connection to the Internet." - pc.net
"Your website's data and files are stored on a remote server, or a host, where your content is made available to you and your customers through a web browser." - onsharp.com
Domain
A domain name is the Internet address where users can access your website.
Privacy Registration
"Domain privacy or WHOIS protection (different registrars sometimes refer to it by different names) hides the domain registrant's personal information from the public WHOIS database. ... If someone knows a registered domain name, they can enter it into any WHOIS search tool on the web to retrieve this public information." - asmallorange.com
Storage
"...storage space or disk space, generally refers to the amount of space on a web server that is allocated to website owners by the web hosting companies. It is made up of the total quantity of all text files, images, scripts, databases, emails and other files related to your website." - ntchosting.com
Bandwidth
"In its most basic definition, bandwidth describes the level of traffic, and amount of data that can transfer between your site, users, and the Internet. Web hosting companies offer a maximum level of bandwidth for their tiers of hosting packages." - executionists.com
"The Build"
Once we've identified your target audience, your goals and objectives, "the build" consists of implementing your content and developing the functionality and framework that will be unique to your site, as well as the overall "look" and the site's accessibility to visitors.
For all of my builds I utilize the WIX website platform, which will serve as your host, storage and SSL encryption service. This is why your annual fees are billed through WIX, but your build and maintenance (if necessary) are billed through Grey Duck. - greyduckwebsites.com
Landing page
"Anything referred to as a landing page is intended to maximise conversion of visitors to a page or series of pages towards lead or sale. - smartinsights.com
At Grey Duck websites, a simple landing page consists of: your logo, phone, email, physical address, description of service. May also include a "call to action" form & customer testimonials.
I often do these as a test run to make sure you like my work. We can build out the rest of your website from there!
Interactive Site
Grey Duck Websites can help you interact with your clients through plug-ins such as: booking appointments, events calendar, ticket sales, live chat, community forums, music streaming, forms, blog, and eCommerce.
eCommerce
Do you want to sell your goods on your website?
"Electronic commerce or ecommerce is a term for any type of business, or commercial transaction, that involves the transfer of information across the Internet. ... Ecommerce allows consumers to electronically exchange goods and services with no barriers of time or distance." - networksolutions.com
SSL encryption
"SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) keeps your name, address, and credit card information between you and merchant to which you are providing it. Without this kind of encryption, online shopping would be far too insecure to be practical. When you visit a Web address starting with "https," the "s" after the "http" indicates the website is secure." - techterms.com
Mobile Friendly
Because more than 70% of your visitors will use their smartphone to find you, Grey Duck Websites will always optimize your website to be viewed on mobile devices.
SEO
"Search engine optimization (SEO) is a marketing discipline focused on growing visibility in organic (non-paid) search engine results. SEO encompasses both the technical and creative elements required to improve rankings, drive traffic, and increase awareness in search engines." - moz.com
Google My Business
"Getting on Google My Business can increase your chances of showing up in Google’s Local Pack, Local Finder, Google Maps, and organic rankings in general.... your listing will have valuable basic data that will make it easier for potential customers to find more information about your company." - moz.com
Google Analytics
"Google Analytics is a free web analytics tool that generates detailed statistics about activity on a website....the system “helps you analyze visitor traffic and paint a complete picture of your audience and their needs, wherever they are along the path to purchase.” - astek.com
WiX
WiX is a website design and hosting platform providing storage, bandwidth, ecommerce, newsletter and SEO functions, to name a few. Grey Duck Websites uses WiX exclusively because of its consistently new function offerings and its ability to easily make your website mobile friendly. Once Grey Duck builds your website, we will either maintain it for you or train you to manage it. See our Rate Sheet for more details.
Contact me anytime.
I look forward to helping you get your business off the ground!
Julie Dempster
Owner + Designer
Mankato, MN