creating a website

[benji79]

Hey guys, i was thinking bout building a small web site, just to show family and friends my work. I went to register an Australian domain name and it tells me you need a registered business to get a .com.au address:? Why is this? Do you need one for a .com address? My father in-law owns his own business, i don't work for him, but can i use his ABN? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.
Benji.

[silentC]

Anybody can register a .com or .net

The rules for .au domains are a bit more strict to stop people from domain name squatting.

Or try a .id.au name: http://www.whois.com.au/personal_domain.html

[abitfishy]

Benji,

The policies for .au domains are fairly strict. In the old days, it was basically you could only register a domain that pretty much matched your business name. ie bunnings could register bunnings.com.au or maybe bunningshardware.com.au. These days, they are a LITTLE less strict, in the regard that you still need to be a sole trader/business/corporation etc, but you can now register domains that RELATE to your business, so bunnings could now register hardware.com.au, nails.com.au, plumbingsupplies.com.au etc etc. But they could not register computerparts.com.au.

If you want to register a domain relating to boats, like myboatprojects.com.au, unless your father-in-law owns a boat type business that makes boats, you won't be able to.

However, its so cheap to register a business name, about $130 for 3 years, and if its not 'used' as a business, theres no need to bother with an ABN etc (you can register a domain with your Business number which you get when you register a business), if you are really keen just do this 'Benjis Boats' and then you can register benjisboats.com.au. Make sure the domain you want is available before you register the business name though.

I've had a fair bit of experience registering domain names (I own about 8) and organising web hosting etc, so if you require any more help, feel free to PM me.

But no, there are basically no requirements for a plain old .com domain.

Keep an eye on what your registrar are going to charge you as there is a huge difference in pricing of domain names, my latest I registered for 2 years I found I could pay anything from $27.95 (which is pretty cheap) to $99.99 for the same period, so shop around.

As silentc said, you can register a .id.au domain, however my personal opinion is if someone can't exactly remember your domain name address and are trying a few or guessing, and they know its something about 'benjis boats' or similar, not too many will try .id.au as the extension. Keep this in mind. I think a plain .com is a better alternative unless you REALLY want some .AUstralian connection in the domain name (but you could always do Benjisaussieboats.com)

Hope this helps.

Martin

[Rossluck]

Hello benji79. I don't want to hijack your thread, but I'm sure the following questions could be helpful to you as well.

Once you have a registered domain name, what's the best process by which to set up a page. Should we buy software, or are there some reasonable programs that are downloadable?

What's the process after you have designed a page on your home PC?

[ozwinner]

I use this program.
http://www.wysiwygwebbuilder.com/purchase.html

Once you have your domain registered and the web page designed the program uploads it for you, nice and simple.

The program is easy to learn too. :2tsup:

Al :cool:

[Grunt]

If Al can learn it, it's gotta be easy.

[abitfishy]

OK, that wysiwyg creator looks ok for $34.95, there are a few others around that do the same sort of thing. Do a bit of a web search and see if there are trial versions to download.

Keep in mind too, that once you register a domain name, you need a web hosting account as well. That is, somewhere to upload your pages, images, etc etc. Basically if you register a business name, you need to lease a shop to show your wares. A Hosting account is the web equiv of leasing a shop, but you are leasing space on a web server computer. I've used a combination of different registrars and web hosts, however recently discovered www.intaserv.com.au (http://www.intaserv.com.au) or www.webhostsaustralia.com.au (http://www.webhostsaustralia.com.au) which are very well priced. Forget using your ISP to do it all (like bigpond etc) unless you have a few spare $$$

Once you register a domain and get a hosting account, you will get the info required to upload pages onto the web server etc using an FTP client.

[ozwinner]

If Al can learn it, it's gotta be easy.

Thats the way good programs should be.

Al :2tsup:

[Dr Jan Itor]

For an excellent comparison of domain pricing, check www.whatsinaname.com.au

[rayintheuk]

WYSIWYG web editors are OK, but - because of the modular way they write code in the background - they often make the sites large, clunky and slow to load.

HTML is dead easy to grasp and writing sites is much more efficient than dragging and dropping. The best (and totally free) HTML web editor is HTML-Kit (http://www.chami.com/html-kit/download/) from Chami Software. This has more features than some editors that you have to pay for - a brilliant piece of software!

To see how easy HTML is to cope with, have a look at a tutorial (http://www.raygirling.com/ownpage.htm) I did a while ago which sets out all the necessary basics. All you need to invest is a little time and effort. The tutorial includes how to obtain free tools and how to upload your files, together with the conventions needed to make a site work. HTH :)

Ray.

[Rossluck]

Good info everyone. Thanks. We already have a com.au and are trying to find the time to set up a page. Thanks for the tutorial Ray. It looks good.

By the way, Freddie Flintoff is an Aussie.

[silentC]

WYSIWYG web editors are OK, but - because of the modular way they write code in the background - they often make the sites large, clunky and slow to load.
I'd go a step further and say that WYSIWYG editors are the bane of my existence. If I'm ever asked to maintain a site written by one of them, I would rather rewrite the whole thing from scratch.

HTML is a markup language derived from what they used to use to format documents for printing and display back when a computer took up a whole room. It is dead easy to learn. Take the time to learn it (probably no longer than it takes to learn how to use a WYSIWYG tool) and you will find it much quicker and easier to do what you want and you'll have much more control.

I used to use notepad but now I use a tabbed text editor, which is really just a beefed up version of notepad with tabs so you can open multiple files in the one window.

[craigb]

from what they used to use to format documents for printing and display back when a computer took up a whole room..


You mean they don't? :? :oo: :wink:

[silentC]

Not the ones manufactured since 1977 :wink:

[Wood Butcher]

I used to use notepad but now I use a tabbed text editor, which is really just a beefed up version of notepad with tabs so you can open multiple files in the one window.

Which program is that? I do a little bit of basic html with school and that sounds like it would make life easier.

[silentC]

It's called UltraEdit: http://www.ultraedit.com/

There are others around but I found this one to be one of the best. I don't only use it for HTML, it's the default text editor on my machine.

[masoth]

Jeeze, you smart buggas give me pain. I can't remember what HTML represents without concentrating for 10 minutes!
If computers are so clever, and computer languages so simple, why can I not simply type " I want a site named ...... for a local dining club!" and bingo (now there is something I remember) up it pops - all done - $5 please. :smack:

soth

[silentC]

5 bucks! Yeah, I've got clients like you. I want an all singing, all dancing site with online payments and newsletters and remote update whenever I feel like it. How much will it cost? @#$%!! I only budgeted $500 and I already spent half that on the domain name.

:)

[craigb]

Not the ones manufactured since 1977 :wink:

Well that's funny because at work they've just set up a new computer room.

Rows and rows of black boxes as far as the eye can see. :?

I'm pretty sure they were all manufactured within the last coupe of years. :wink:

[silentC]

Ah yes, but is it one computer or lots of little ones?

When I was working on 3090's they were the size of about 4 fridges side by side. We had four of them (Dev 1, Dev 2, Prod 1 and Prod 2). The rest of the computer floor, which was the size of a football field, was taken up with DASD and modem racks etc. That was in 1990

I went in there one day a few years later and half the gear was gone but we still had the same 4 systems.

[bitingmidge]

Unfortunately, my computer takes up about a third of my office space even today.

It's a 15" Mac notebook.

I'm thinking of getting a 12" one to give me some more space, or maybe I'll ask if I can move to a bigger office.

P
:rolleyes:

[craigb]

Lots and lots of "little" ones. They still take up a pretty good sized room though.

(I'll stop now).

[masoth]

5 bucks! Yeah, I've got clients like you. I want an all singing, all dancing site with online payments and newsletters and remote update whenever I feel like it. How much will it cost? @#$%!! I only budgeted $500 and I already spent half that on the domain name.

:)

But ............. you only spotted the $$$$$. What about the web site and how easy it's claimed to be.:?

soth

[silentC]

OK, I'll give you a serious answer. The reason why we don't have something like that is because end users have yet to come up with a clear idea of what they want. They need us IT geeks to tell them what they want. If there was any way of extracting the ruminations of your average user and converting them into a program or web site, I would hate to think of what it might look like and what horrible things it might do. I think it would be the end of the world as we know it :wink:

[masoth]

:- Catch 22, eh?
We don't know what we want so you can't write a program to answer the un-asked questiions.
The one time I had a work application created I drove the, er, 'geek' nuts with requests for unforeseen, small, immediate, alterations over six months.
Thanks.

soth

By the way: my world "as it was" ended just now!

[silentC]

requests for unforeseen, small, immediate, alterations over six months
I've got a client who has been doing that to me for 6 years!!

Still, it keeps me in beer and skittles. :)

[K_S]

Hi all

Just posting details of another option for creating a web page and having it hosted if required.
NB: I have no financial connection or benefit from this service provider

Keith S


WEBSITE<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<!---->1. <!--[endif]-->Your WEBSITE is built at no cost to you by professional designers, we do not use templates and all designs are unique to you and include the following, Home Page, About You Page, Products and Services Page, Contact Page (additional pages will attract a charge and will be quoted on if required), along with 5 email addresses using your own domain name.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->When all required information has been supplied to us we will create some designs for you to choose from and following consultation and any modification your WEBSITE will be created. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Any additional services such as animation, film/DVD inclusions, e-commerce or Google advertising are not provided in your free WEBSITE and where requested will be charged at an agreed price.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Following approval and sign off, your WEBSITE will be uploaded and appear on all the major search engines.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
WEBSITE REGISTRATION

All WEBSITES must have their domain name registered (this is to stop others using your name) and usually carry the extension of .com or .com.au and lasts for two years. Please note, that if you require .com.au in your web address you must have a registered business in that name.
<o:p> </o:p>
The costs of the two-year registration fee in Australia is as follows:
<o:p> </o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->.COM $25.00
or<o:p></o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->.COM.AU $45.00
<o:p> </o:p>
INTERNET HOSTING FEE<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Whether we or someone else creates your WEBSITE there is an annual hosting fee to reserve your space on the INTERNET and is charged either as a one off payment or periodically in advance. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->If paying annually in advance $180.00 per annum<o:p></o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->@ $20.00 per month (in advance) $240.00 per annum<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Monthly payments will be charged by Direct Debit (credit card facility coming soon) and statements are issued to you for tax purposes. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
ADDITIONAL SERVICES[I]<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Maintenance of your WEBSITE – Whenever you require changes to your information, or need to list new products and services or change your details we charge $10.00 per 15 minute blocks. This works in your favor as most designers charge by the hour whether the change takes them 1 minute or 60 minutes to do, costing up to $120. If it takes us 15 minutes you pay $10 and so on.<o:p></o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->If requested we can design business cards and brochures to match your site, branding you completely- contact us for a quote<o:p></o:p>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Vinyl sign up to 75cm x 12.5cm one colour $ 45.00<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>

SUMMARY<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>
Construction of your WEBSITE: N/C
<o:p> </o:p>
Registration of Domain Name


.com only $ 25.00 or<o:p></o:p>

.com.au (registered business name required) $ 45.00 <o:p> </o:p>
Hosting Fees


If paying annually in advance $180.00 per annum<o:p></o:p> or<o:p></o:p>

@ $20.00 per month (in advance) $240.00 per annum <o:p> </o:p>
Site Maintenance

Alteration/Modification to site including upload $ 10.00 per 15 minutes<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Mark Worsey<o:p></o:p>
0407535892
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Please visit www.YTBNC.net (http://www.ab-it.net/) to view some of the sites we have built.

[ozwinner]

I wish some geek would tell people not to use Office or Word so we dont end up with all them office tags. :o

Now thats a good idea.

Al :2tsup:

[masoth]

I wish some geek would tell people not to use Office or Word so we dont end up with all them office tags. :o

Now thats a good idea.

Al :2tsup:

Don't remember! But I think you turn them off in "Options" somewhere up the top ^^^^. That way.

soth

[benji79]

Thanks guys. Also thanks Ray, i had a lok at a bit of HTML on frontpage and got lost in 5 mins without instructions. Ill look at that site and try to learn something. Might have to try it without a glass of wine :drinks_wine:

[ozwinner]

Good luck with HTML, youll need it.

Al :U

[Coldamus]

Keep in mind too, that once you register a domain name, you need a web hosting account as well.
<snip>
Forget using your ISP to do it all (like bigpond etc) unless you have a few spare $$$

Agreed. As always, I am skint, so am working on a different approach:

My current Bigpond plan is $69.95 per month for unlmited usage, throttled after 12gb. A static IP address will add $10 per month. I am reasonably competent with html, so can create my own site and have set up a server running Apache and php on Windows 2000. I have a business name and ABN.

The intention is to get a static IP address and register a .com.au domain which will be pointed to that address. When the server is fired up, I should be on the net. Secure transaction processing is beyond me, so I propose to use PayPal links.

As far as I can see, this should all be legal with no cost for web hosting or traffic and complete control over the site. I suppose BigPond's rules on allowable content still apply but that will not be an issue. It will be a conservative, strictly legitimate business site. However I want to avoid restrictions on my choice of database, ActiveX controls, etc.

Are there are any holes in this strategy? I've tested the server on my current dynamic IP address and it works OK.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Benji, but I figure it has already been de-railed!

[TermiMonster]

The only problem I can see is if your site gets really popular...in which case your clients speeds will drop down and they will probably give up....not a bad problem to have, because if you have that problem, you will be making so much money that you won't mind paying some IT guru a small fortune to take care of the details.:p

[Coldamus]

Thanks for the reply. Once the site starts to bring in some income, the running costs should not be an issue. However I don't expect that to happen overnight, so I need to keep the costs down until then.

[abitfishy]

Um, I don't know mate, with reasonably stable third party hosting starting at about $12mth, I wouldn't bother going the static IP address on your own server, and also have to deal with security issues etc. Also, if you want mail at your own domain, you'll have to install and configure a mail server using something like mdaemon or maybe there is something more basic but still a lot of stuffing around. For the low cost of hosting, let someone else deal with it already setup for you.

[calypso]

Hello,
the simpliest and best way to create a website is www.hpage.com.
There you have 300MB storage space and many design templates and it's totally free.
For people without programming skills but also suitable for professionals.
hpage offers many features - here some examples: If you do not want to make all contents of your website public, you can edit a special password-protected member area, where only friends, family members or other registered people have access. This is only one of the many extras available at hpage.
Other extras, for example a newsletter for your visitors, your own ad-server, an own forum, a personal shoutbox, etc.,

All the best!

[HazzaB]

Hey Guys,

I am looking at doing a site as well, I contacted my server and they started at about $600.00 to start, shopped around and can get on line for $130.00, thats domain name rego $34.95 for two years, and hosting for $9.95 per month, thats with www.webcity.com.au (http://www.webcity.com.au) and a mate told me about a mob called www.crazydomains.com.au (http://www.crazydomains.com.au) they also have some really cheap offers. Don't ask which one I will be getting. I haven't been allowed to make a decision yet.

HazzaB