Saturday, April 28, 2012

Low cost web presence for small and micro businesses

I am often amazed at how much people pay just to have a web site. In fact I remember one company paying $500 dollars to have a domain registered. I asked the business owner what was his site address thinking this was quite a sum of money and would like to check out his site. He said he didn’t have a site, this was just the registration of the domain name.

It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get your business started on the internet. With a small amount of knowledge it needn’t cost your anything, but I suggest spending an appropriate amount where the business has a single page site and the domain name reflects their business name or service. A one page site will enable the business to have an internet presence they are in control of, will enable their customers to find them on the internet and provide important contact and product or service information.

My approach is different to most web designers. As a computer consultant I charge for my time so my approach is to assist clients with my knowledge and empower them by setting them up so they are in control. Most web designers will set clients up using their facilities (most likely reselling larger companies services) and the designer retains control. I set clients up so they are the owner of the domain and in control of the hosting. Since most people don’t know how to create a web page I create the page for them, but they are free to use anyone, even a family member to create the page, or modify the page I create for them. The small business owner is not tied to me in any way.

The latest site I set up is Herding Dog Training (www.HerdingDogTraining.com). The cost or registering the domain was $12 for two years (discounted from $9 per year). I assisted the client to set up their hosting service which is where they’ll host their web page so the page can be found by others on the internet. I have a hosting company I suggest for reasons which provide future opportunities for the client, but the client is free to use their own preferred hosting company if they know one. The cost for hosting is around $10 a month which they pay directly to the company each month.

What I do is act as a facilitator. The time involved to register the domain and set up the hosting is around an hour.

Most people can’t create their own web page, so I’m happy to create the web page for their site. Once created however they are free to change it and update it if they wish to learn the skills, or know someone who already has the skills. The cost of creating the page can vary from one to two hours, but the approach I use is to have the client create a web page using a product they know such as Microsoft Word. There can be a lot of time involved in designing even a simple page, so if people design the layout themselves, that is a lot of time and thus money that can be saved. I then take the design they’ve created in Word and recreate the document as a web page. The software I use is reasonably priced commercial software and can be purchased by the client to maintain their own page if they want. Converting a page usually takes around an hour to an hour and a half.

An additional benefit to the client is the time from when they provide the material to the time the site goes live, which can be a matter of only days. One client provided their material on Tuesday morning, the web page was provided for review on Wednesday and changes were made. We organised a meeting for the Friday to set up the hosting (they already owned a domain), I then did the rest and they were live Friday afternoon. Their site appeared in Google in the first position when searching on their business name on Saturday night. I use some techniques which enables Google to quickly find sites and with some luck, usually provides the client with a very good position in Google. I say luck, but whilst the technique consistently works, I cannot control what Google may or may not do. As part of creating the page I also perform basic search engine optimisation (SEO) as part of the service, something others may charge hundreds of dollars for.

So in summary, if you’re thinking about a site to start your presence on the internet keep in mind it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can purchase an Australian domain for around $24 for two years and hosting for around $10 a month or less. If you don’t have the skills to set things up and don’t want to take the time to learn what you’d need to learn from the information provided on sites, a consultant like myself can assist you. I suggest to allow around an hour for registering the domain and setting up the hosting. If you need a page created and can create a document (most people are able to use Word to create a printed document they’d be happy to hand out to advertise their business) then you can have a web page created in one to two hours. You also don’t have to wait weeks or months as a site can be live within a matter of days. Keep in mind it also isn’t just about having a site. My approach often provides a strong presence on the internet, so make sure whoever you use can also give you a strong presence for your site to get you started without additional SEO costs.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Helping small and micro businesses get started on the internet.


Monday, April 23, 2012

Eltham's Shae Skinner

Eltham’s Shae Skinner has been barred from many places because of her guide dog Katie.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Eltham Barrel

The daddy of them all was the Eltham Barrel, which was shaped like a giant wooden wine barrel. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

ELTHAM couple Claire Georgiou and Marika Navuni

ELTHAM couple Claire Georgiou and Marika Navuni couldn’t believe it when they heard the Fijian village they used to call home was destroyed in the Pacific nation’s worst floods in decades.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Armstrong Lazenby on fast-track to success

It was only last year the Eltham North resident was selected for the senior national team, accompanying them on a tour of the US, Canada, China and Japan. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Cynthia Gebert - Eltham

At 36, Cynthia Gebert is the state’s Energy and Water Ombudsman — the youngest person to be appointed to such a position. She lives in Eltham.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Professor Andrew Grigg (standing) and haematology nurse consultant Peter Shuttleworth attend to Eltham patient David Bell.

One such study, under way at the Austin, is treating a group of people, including Eltham’s David Bell, who have myelodysplasia, a condition, which leads to leukaemia.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Eltham College students Belle Gibson, William Saw and Elizabeth Normington

ELTHAM College has launched an appeal to raise money for renovations to its music and performance centre.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Police have closed one lane in Sherbourne Road Eltham

Police have closed one of the two lanes heading west along Sherbourne Road opposite Hungry Jacks in Eltham.

It appears there was an accident and the bus stop has been completely demolished.

No cars are present and a couple of people have just arrived and appear to be inspecting the damaged bus stop.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Montmorency-Eltham RSL president Bill McKenna

ELTHAM’S cenotaph has been moved to the town’s War Memorial Hall site in time for Anzac Day.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Retired long jumper Gary Honey was the resident Legend on 774 Evenings

While he doesn't get to the track much these days, at almost 53 years of age, he still manages to get to the gym in Eltham three times a week.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Eltham Hotel, Eltham, one point below the Federal Hotel, on 15/20

Also making it into the guide this year was the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, which scored 13/20; The Court House Hotel, Mullumbimby, 14/20; and the Eltham Hotel, Eltham, one point below the Federal Hotel, on 15/20.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Robert Boyle - Lilies on Brougham

You'd think that would be enough gardening for anyone, but in his free time, Robert loves nothing more than tending his own glorious patch on the banks of the Diamond Creek, in Eltham. "I never grow tired of it," he says with a laugh.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Eltham SES volunteer Karl Klettner cuts a fallen tree off a car over the Easter long weekend

“At the end of the day 80 per cent of damage is due to blocked gutters and drains”... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Eltham Little Theatre

Eltham Little Theatre is a non-profit, non-professional theater organisation.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Living and Learning Nillumbik is holding the Work Skills in the Food Garden program at Edendale's vegetable gardens

PEOPLE with intellectual disabilities are learning about the environment and how to plant and grow food at one of Nillumbik’s premier tourist attractions.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

No Optus 3G in Eltham, Victoria.

However, in our pocket of Eltham, there is no 3G indoor coverage and the outdoor coverage oscillates between 0-1 bars.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Eltham's Fort Knox Self Storage centre was engulfed by water

Tony Michaelson and Alissa Sharp lost furniture and household goods valued at thousands of dollars when Eltham’s Fort Knox Self Storage centre was engulfed by water.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Jeanette Dyke is the Eltham resident artist at Montsalvat

AMONG the serene and whimsical surrounds of the leafy Montsalvat artists’ colony, Jeanette Dyke is working on her custom jewellery in her 1800s-inspired stone and wood studio... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

NBN Co rollout plan for Eltham 3095

NBN have now released maps for the rollout plan for the next three years.

According to the NBN site Eltham is not in the schedule for the next year, or scheduled for the next three years.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.

 

Wheel 2 Walk is Eltham Lower Park on May 6

Rhiannon Tracey, who credits the US-based centre Project Walk for helping her recover after a diving mishap left her a quadriplegic, has helped raise $67,000 for a franchise to give others the chance to do the same.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

83-year-old Les Robertson declared to his family that he was going skydiving

WHEN 83-year-old Les Robertson declared to his family that he was going skydiving, they couldn’t believe it.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

One page web sites for local businesses.

Over the years I’ve been amazed that local businesses often don’t have a presence as simple as a one page web site. I suspect the main reason is if they approach a web designer they’ll often be quote hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, when to get started it can cost much less.

To put this in context, all a small business generally requires is one new customer, or keep an existing customer from going elsewhere and their web presence can pay for itself.

Many times when I’ve wanted to buy take away for family or friends, the only menus we can find online are the big companies, yet most of the time we use the smaller local businesses for ourselves. I’ve done some testing over the years and small take-away businesses can get a reasonable amount of business by having their menu online. At worst they don’t lose potential business from good customers when the customers need to see a menu online.

To show local businesses the value of promoting themselves online I’ve now sponsored a number of local business to provide them with an online presence. They are the businesses I use so now they’ll gain my business when I need an online menu.

 

Flying Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Papa Loui's Pizza and Pasta, Bolton Fish Shop, Panic Pizza Doncaster East, Middle Camberwell Fish and Chips

If you own a small business and would like to have your menu online for your customers, but don’t want to pay a small fortune, then send me an email. The way I set up a small business is I create a one page site with their menu and then help them sign up for hosting and registering their domain, By getting the business to register domain and sign up for hosting they retain total control which is a strategy in business. Most web design businesses tie businesses in so if they want anything done, they have to go back to the designer to get expensive changes done. My approach is to have businesses use me if they want to, but because they have total control over their site, they can easily have someone else, including a family member or friend, look after their site. No lock in means businesses use my services because they want to, not because they have to.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Helping micro and small businesses with a cost effective online presence.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The council raised the cost of hiring the Eltham Synthetic Soccer Pitch from $3 an hour to $12.50 an hour

Users of the two-year-old, $1.4 million pitch include Eltham Redbacks Soccer Club, North Eltham Wanderers Cricket Club and the Eltham Eagles Soccer Club.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Aboriginal artist Heather Umbagai

Her exhibition, Fire Sticks, Red Wings, will be displayed in Montsalvat’s Barn Gallery,... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Rebecca Jordan is continuing to run the Eltham jewellery

FOR three decades, Siegfried Kiefer was the friendly Eltham jewellery store owner who greeted customers with a German accent and a smile.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Eltham Fish and Chips menu from Bolton Fish Shop now online

The Bolton Fish Shop menu is now available on the JustLocal 3095 page. Save time with your next order of fish and chips by telephoning your order through in advance. You can now check your next Eltham fish and chips order with the convenience of Bolton Shop’s menu being online.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au
Think global, act local   

Monday, April 2, 2012

Montmorency-Eltham RSL officers Hans Vanzwol, Alex Smith, Bill McKenna and Allan Field are planning Eltham's first Anzac Day Dawn Service

ELTHAM will this year host an Anzac Day Dawn Service for the first time in its history.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Montmorency-Eltham RSL president Bill McKenna said the plan was "ridiculous".

Geraldine Mitchell, the rail operator’s spokeswoman, confirmed Metro would allow RSL sub-branches to sell Anzac Day badges at stations for two weeks.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Vets saved Dean Frenkel's dog, Paddington

THE lifesaving actions of a vet have compelled Eltham pet owner Dean Frenkel to make a generous donation to the Bundoora Veterinary Hospital and Clinic.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

Eltham artist Peter Scannell

A group of Banyule artists is holding an exhibition this month. 60 artworks will be on display including some from Peter Scannell... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.