Why have a web site?

The reasons for having a web site are varied. In the end, an on-line presence provides opportunities in a new domain. A Web site can enhance your business by displaying your products to potential customers. With e-commerce you can even sell your products on the web and increase your productivity. Keep your advertising costs down advertising on the Web. The Web can also keep you informed of your customers needs by placing a feedback form on your site where the customers can contact you with regard to enquires about your product or service. Your Web site will take your business to a global market and give you the ability to sell your products to a worldwide audience.

What type of site is best for me?

Clearly some thought must go into this. Decide what you want to get out of a web site and how much you're prepared to pay for it. Develop an 'online' strategy into your budget and decide on performance measures to gauge it's success.
At the low end, a 'brochure' style site requires little maintenance (and therefore overheads), and provides the product/contact information you want out in the public domain, while generating email leads from contact and feedback forms.
At the other end, eCommerce sites providing secure payment transactions requiring integration into business practices such as accounting and fulfilment.
In the end, our advice is listen, learn and plan before striding forward.

What is a domain name?

The Domain Naming System (DNS) is used as a way of uniquely identifying a computer or service on the internet. It provides a hierarchical way of organising the owners of the domain names and the computers and services they put on the internet.
The organisational breakdown is read from right to left. Starting with the country code, then followed by the type of owner. Note that the US has no country code.
Therefore, when we read RyServ.com.au, we recognise it as being an Australian domain, of a commercial type (there are over 10 types) and that the owner is known as RyServ.

There are rules about the sorts of domain names and prices vary considerably depending on types. In the end, your domain name is who you are on the internet. If you wantto register an Australian domain name (.com.au) then it you must be aware of the following:
Australian domain names must be a derivative of your registered business/company name. The words in your domain name must be in the same order as in your company/business name too. This rule only applies to Australian domain names. It does not apply to International domain names (.com). International domain names do not have to reflect your registered business/company name. The ABN and ACN numbers will be required.

What is hosting about?

Large companies and institutions can afford to have their own computers on the internet, however a cheaper alternative is to use someone else's computer. That person is then 'hosting' your web site.