Web strategy: Go live

Hosting

Your web host is the place where your website and all its associated files ‘live’ on the internet. It offers large amounts of file space and 24/7 accessibility so that people all over the world can view your site at any time. Your hosting account will also store your incoming and outgoing emails.

Hosting is not the same as your domain name, although many companies including Captovate can offer you packages for both. If your target audience is largely within Australia, your website will generally load faster for them if it is hosted here.

Domain name

Your domain name is the name in your web address (URL), so it needs to be memorable and easy to spell if you want people to come looking for you.

Your domain name should usually include all or part of your business name (e.g. captovate.com.au), and something short and sharp is best, without any confusing under_scores or hy-phens! You can buy a number of domain names and link them all to your site, which may be a good idea if your name is commonly misspelled or if you’re worried another company will use the alternative.

You have a number of options for your top level domain including .com, .com.au, .net, .org etc, although some of these have specific criteria you need to meet. Your email addresses should be linked to the same domain name (e.g. info@captovate.com.au). Registration for a domain name is usually renewed every one or two years.