Frequenty Asked Questions
Below are a list of the most frequently asked questions - just click on the question to view the solution. If you have a questions that's not listed below, please email info@websmiths.ie and we'll answer your question if we can
Website FAQ
Why should I have a web site?
The web is now the primary resource for finding business resources. Currently 67.3% of the Irish population, or 2,830,100 people have internet access.
Hundreds of companies only have an online presence, and some of the largest companies in the world are web-based, such as Google or Youtube.
A website is the most cost effective advertising media available. For an investment of about €1,000 you can create a website that will last for five years, is available to browse 24/7/365 and is easily updated or changed.
Compared to other media, the durability, availability and value for money of a website is second to none.
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How much will it cost?
A tricky question - a bit like asking how much is a car.
A 10-year-old one litre car would cost under €1000 while a Bugatti Veryon will cost over a million. Don't worry, we don't charge anything like that for a web site.
A static 5-6 page web site would cost €499 - see our Pricing Page for more details on prices. The price would increase with the number of pages required. Dynamic web sites that you can
update yourself are generally more expensive as we have to build a database and backend application for these sites. We'll be happy to quote for your website, and quotes are free!
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What's the difference between a static and dynamic website?
Static websites are a bit like print brochures - you add the information and it stays like it is. The majority of websites are static, as information doesn't really change. It's less expensive to update the information on your web site than paying for a new print run. A dynamic website changes regularly, usually using a password protected backend to allow the client to update the site. Updating a dynamic site is as easy as booking a flight or buying a book - you fill in a web form, press a button and your website is updated immediately.
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How long does it take?
The average turnaround time is four weeks, but this is dependant on the complexity and size of the web site.
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What is the procedure?
Once you've decided to have a new web site designed or an old website rebuilt, the next and most important step is needs analysis. It's a very common error for companies to leave everything to the web designer, but this doesn't do the client or the designer any good - you have to bear in mind that the designer probably knows very little about selling steel bearings in Eastern Europe! Decide in-house what it is that you want from your website, and then meet with us to discuss these needs. We'll advise how best to translate these ideas for the medium of the web and together we'll build a coherent picture of how your website should appear. When this is agreed we'll design a graphic version of your website. Once you're happy with the design, the build begins in earnest. For larger sites we'll regularly upload our progress to date to accessible web space for your approval.
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Hosting FAQ
What is hosting?
Websmiths offer domain web hosting and email services. This means that we provide space on our servers for your web site. We can register a new domain name for you, or host an existing domain name, which will be used for your web site and email.
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How does the email system work ?
Websmiths email system is easy to use, easy to change and allows a whole range of different email setups. All email settings are controlled via your personal account control panel. The control panel enables you to change email passwords, forwarding options and other email settings whenever you like, as often as you like. Any changes made are immediately active.
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Domain name FAQ
What is a domain name?
Your domain name is your address on the internet. Actual internet locations are identified by an IP address, 100.232.22.20 for example - the network address of a computer connected to the internet. These numbers are translated into words - domain names - to make them easier to remember. All domain names are unique, as they refer to unique internet addresses.
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How long does it take to register a domain name?
As soon as we receive your order, we make an application to the relevant registry to secure the domain name. This takes only minutes. However, because of the volume of applications the registries handle, we must wait at least 24 hours before we can ensure proper registration of your domain name. If, for any reason, the application is not successful, we will contact you.
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What is allowed in a domain name?
The only characters allowed in a domain name are the 26 letters of the alphabet, numbers 0-9 and dashes (-). A domain cannot begin or end with a dash, but it can contain a dash. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) serves as the governing body for domain name registration. ICANN is currently allowing up to 63 characters, but we would recommend you stay below 20 characters. Domain name registration applications may be rejected for reasons other than the above, especially if they are perceived to infringe trademarks or copyright law.
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What is the difference between .ie and .com?
.ie is a Irish domain name, whereas .com is an International domain name. Both are accessible from anywhere in the world and there is no performance difference between the two. The main difference is in that .com's are perceived as being more international and .ie's are seen as being Ireland based. So if your company has an international market you may prefer to go for a .com, but if your market is mainly Irish based or you operate mainly in a local area you may prefer a .ie.
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I already have a domain name - can I transfer it to Websmiths?
Yes, when placing your order make sure that you specify that it is a transfer. Websmiths do not charge a fee to transfer a domain name. If your web site is active you should keep your old hosting account open for a short time. We will give you an IP number so that you can upload a mirror site onto our servers, ensuring that whilst your domain name is being transferred your site is accessible at all times.
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How long does it take for my domain name to become active ?
Once your domain name has been registered (or transferred) it can take up to 72 hours before it becomes visible to all users of the internet. This is because all Internet Service Providers need to update their records to show the new location of your domain name. This is called propagation.
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