Getting your business on the Web   As little as a few years ago, an advert in the local newspaper or leaflet drops in neighbouring suburbs were popular ways for many small business owners in Australia to get their name and services ‘out there’.   Fast forward to today and things are changing. Many Australians now use the Web to search for the products and services they are interested in. To ensure you have every chance of attracting these potential customers, getting your business on the Web is important.   Trusted organisations such as MYOB make it easy to get online in Australia and provide the technology to keep you there. So where do you start?   The three basic elements of being online The three basic things you need to think about are selecting a domain name; whether you want business email; and deciding on a provider or ‘web host’, to put you on the Web.   A domain name is the unique title and location on the Web that only one person or company can own. It’s important to consider this when you are deciding what your business name should be. After all, it’s no good locking in a business name if the domain name has already been registered by someone else.   Once you’ve chosen a domain name, you need to register it. This gives your business an online identity and brings you a step closer to being found by potential customers. Without a domain name your business simply doesn’t exist on the Web. You can put your domain name on stationary, invoices, business cards, vehicles and even advertising…so that everyone who comes in contact with these will know how and where to find you.   A domain name example is www.yourbusiness.com.au. As a unique business address online it’s an important and valuable part of your total business. It secures your online presence (even though it’s not active until you choose a web host).   With a domain name you can also set up a business email address, build a website and market yourself to the world. Even if you don’t need a website yet, if you register your domain name now, at least you know it’s safely yours and there will be no issues down the track.   Look professional to your customers Imagine that you need to find a plumber to help with a leak in your new premises. There are two email addresses from which to choose: the first email is john@yourbusiness.com.au, the second is johnnyboy1268@bigserviceprovider.com. Which would you choose?   A business email address has your name on it. It’s you@yourbusiness.com.au, looks professional to your customers and doesn’t give the impression that you’re potentially a fly-by-night operation. More importantly, a business email address opens a world of communication, marketing and service options to you and your business.   The final step is to choose a web host. This is where your domain name physically lives in a centralised server. A web host needs to provide a fast, reliable, secure and well supported service so you can build a website and be confident it will work properly and offer total protection of your information.   Get these basics right and you’ll be up and running and connecting with potential customers in no time. It’s an affordable and modern way to advertise your business in Australia today.             Information supplied by: MYOB Website: www.myob.com.au/webhosting