A domain name is the address where internet users can access your website. Your domain is “www.example.co.za” where example is your business name. It can end with .za / .com / .org and is not just a name you choose, it has to be available and registered at a hosting company. Example: the domain for this site is www.desygn.co.za and the website address is: https://www.desygn.co.za

Web hosting is a service that allows organizations and individuals to post a website or web page onto the internet. A web host, or web hosting service provider, is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for the website to be viewed on the internet. Websites are hosted, or stored, on special computers called servers. When internet users want to view your website, all they need to do is type your website address or domain into their browser. Their computer will then connect to your server and your web pages will be visible to them through the browser.

If you already have a domain name and hosting, you can send your login info to us after we send the formal quote to you. If you still need to get hosting, we will register your domain and host your website for R99/month. The first hosting fee payment is due on the 1st of the month after your domain was registered, whether the website is completed or not. The domain is your “website name” and hosting starts the moment it is registered. When you have a registered domain and hosting with us, you may add up to 100 e-mail addresses at no extra cost.

If you prefer to register your domain yourself, you are welcome to do that and send your login details to us. We recommend Xneelo as a hosting company (and use them for our website as well). We usually pick their R99/month basic hosting plan.

Sometimes people think an online shop is a “smaller website”, but in fact it is a larger site, because it is a website with the added feature of having your products available to purchase online. An online store is a specific kind of website where customers can purchase your products or services. If you decide that you want your website visitors to be able to order and pay for things you show on your site, you will need to have an online store as part of your website.

We use WordPress for all of our websites. It is, by far, the most popular open source Content Management System (CMS), used by approximately 75 million websites. This is what we use to “build” the website.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of taking steps to help a website or piece of content rank higher on Google. To make it a bit simpler, search engine optimization means taking a piece of online content and optimizing it so search engines like Google show it towards the top of the page when someone searches for something.

Keywords are words or phrases that are used to match your site or ads with the terms that people are searching for. Selecting high quality, relevant keywords for your website or advertising campaign can help you reach the website visitors and customers that you want, when you want.

To list even higher on Google search, use Google Ads.

Click on this link to search for keywords your customers may use to find your business or service. Select South Africa and type a keyword that describes your business/service to see what people are searching for on Google.

We add basic SEO settings to all of the websites we design, but if you need a more in-depth SEO setup, you are welcome to select it from our Website Quote Calculator.

Once your website is complete, you need to maintain it. You can do it yourself or use one of our website retainer maintenance packages. You want to be able to do what you do best in your business and shouldn’t need to be worried about doing backups or maintenance stuff on your website. We will keep your website fresh, relevant and up to date when you use one of our Website Maintenance Packages. Click on the button below to see monthly prices and which package will best suit your business.

Add a playlist or song to your website or on specific pages. The music player can be set to start playing when the website loads or when the website visitor clicks on the button.

e-Commerce or Online Shopping is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the internet using a web browser. Online stores usually enable shoppers to use “search” features to find specific models, brands or items.

A slider is a term that refers to a slideshow on a website. An example of a slider can be a revolving carousel that displays products or photos. Have a look at the home page of this website to see an example of a slider at the top of the page. View examples on the following links as well to see them in motion:

The map can be added anywhere on the website, although it’s usually added to the “Contact us” page where your website visitors can easily find the physical address of your business.

If your business has multiple physical addresses or branches, you can display them all on your website in the form of a map with listings of each address. Your website visitors can then search for the store, agent or branch closest to them. We will add only the addresses you supply to us.

Add contact info to other businesses to your website. You can add them for free or charge a fee (and generate income from your site) to show their details on your site. It’s shown in categories which you specify and when a website visitor clicks on a category, all listings within that specific category are shown. They can see more info when selecting a listing.

Example below as used on:
www.livelifelean.co.za

A lot of time is spent on answering client questions, so it might be a good idea to add answers to the questions you or your business get asked often. You can then refer your clients to the FAQ page on your website.

This is needed for blog websites – a regularly updated website, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. Your posts are labelled into Categories where your audience can search for them easily.

Some businesses like to keep their clients updated on new developments or news about their company and also adds the info on a blog. This can also be added to the “locked content” on your site if you want to limit the audience to only your employees or staff for viewing after they are logged into your website. Have a look at the section “Members locked content” on this page to read more about that.

Web Push Notifications or Browser Notifications are notifications that your website visitors can opt-in to receive to stay updated. They will usually see a bell icon somewhere on the website and be asked to give permission to your website to send push notifications to their phone/computer whenever you add a new post to your website. These clickable rich content messages can be sent to users’ devices by your website every time you add a new blog post. There is no need for these push notifications if you will not be using blog posts on your website. Read more about blogs on this page in the section named “Blog / Posts”.

This is not the same as the notifications you will receive whenever someone places an order on your website or contacts you via the website. Those notifications are already included in your basic website setup.

Galleries are a popular way of integrating images into a website, allowing your website visitors to see several images clearly at once. This can be added to “albums” or even a “carousel” (examples below).

View another example on www.laerskoolwollies.co.za

People who visit your website may sign up to receive your weekly/monthly newsletters via e-mail.

Show availability and receive bookings for your service or property. Your website visitors can check availability of property (like apartment, house, hotel room, etc.) or any service you offer and make a booking for a full day(s) or specific time slots. This is especially helpful for salons.

Show your website visitors what previous customers said about your business or services.

Display your staff or sales personnel where website visitors may read more about each one.

Add a countdown timer to your site like the one below. It can also be added to products in your online shop.

Perfect for setting targets or getting donations on your website. Can be added as a horizontal or vertical view with amount or % units.

View an example on www.christianapets.co.za

Add a “Download” button where visitors can download files directly from your website.

A small notification bar added to the top or bottom of each page of your website to display messages such as sales, notices and any text messages.

Small images “falling” from the top of the screen.

Add a calendar with your events to your website.

This adds a WhatsApp icon to the bottom of your website (or certain pages if you prefer). If a website visitor clicks on the icon, they can contact you on WhatsApp (on the number you want us to add to your website).

Have a look at the bottom of your screen for the WhatsApp icon for this website or use the links to view it in action on the websites below.

A digital catalog provides examples of your services or products offered in a digital format. These are often provided through a combination of graphical images, such as pictures of a product, along with text that offers descriptions and additional information.

It can also be downloaded in PDF format and shared with your clients. Click on the book to view the next page. You can also zoom in or out.

The example below can be found on www.livelifelean.co.za

Try it out below:

Access to specific content is protected and placed behind a member login page. A membership site can have both free and paid members. It can also have different levels of members, all with unique access rights assigned to their membership levels. You decide who can see which pages or products on your website.

Reward your logged in users with loyalty points when they visit and engage with your website. This is only available when you have the “Members Locked Content” option added to your website. Read more about that in the section above.

Give your potential customers a chance to complete an online quote and see the quoted amount immediately. Results are sent via e-mail and it is PDF printable.

Allow online applications on your site. This is handy for recruiting agents, submitting vehicle financing applications, bond applications etc. Results are sent via e-mail and it is PDF printable.

One contact form is already included in the basic website (on your Contact us page), but some website owners need more than one form. Make it easier for your website visitors to contact you about a specific service you offer or to ask questions on a separate page on your website.