Understanding Website Jargon
The purpose of this help file is to break down the terms that are frequently used so that the process of creating a website with Aro is simple and not daunting.
To help understand the jargon, we will use the analogy of starting a new business in a shopping centre.
First, you need to decide on a business name, let's call this the 'Domain'. Then you will need to purchase that business name (Domain) from somewhere, this is called the 'Domain Registrar'. Next, you will need to open that shop in a physical place somewhere so that the public can find it, this is called the 'DNS' or Domain Name Server. Say you opened that shop in a Westfield Shopping Centre, this is called the 'DNS host'.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is your website name. A domain name is the address where Internet users can access your website, e.g. www.arosoftware.com.
A domain name is used for finding and identifying computers on the Internet. Computers use IP addresses, which are a series of numbers. However, it is difficult for humans to remember strings of numbers. Because of this, domain names were developed to identify entities on the Internet rather than using IP addresses.
What is a Domain Registrar?
The domain registrar is a company that registers a domain name on your behalf, and then gives you full access to that domain name. The key with registrars is to only use respectable and trustworthy companies. You really don’t want to run into any domain problems further down the line, especially when your website’s brand is already established. Losing the domain could be very problematic. Always register your domain name yourself. If someone else registers the domain, you’re giving them a hold over you and your website. If you ever want to move away from their services, transferring the domain could become difficult.
Tips on Choosing a Domain Name for My Business
Your domain name is your identity on the web. You want to make sure you choose a name that fits your business and is easy to find and promote.
- Make it easy to type
- Keep it short & simple; preferably with fewer than 15 characters
- Use keywords that describe your business
- Avoid numbers, hyphens, underscores, or complicated words as part of the domain
- Be memorable
- Research it - make sure it isn't trademarked, copyrighted, or already being used
- Use an appropriate domain name extension (TLD). Extensions are suffixes like .com, .com.au, or .net
- Set your domain to auto-renew. Most commonly, domain names are registered for 12 or 24 months
What is DNS?
What does DNS & DNS Hosting mean?
A DNS (Domain Name System) is the Internet’s telephone book. It translates a domain name like arosoftware.com into a number that the internet network uses to direct your request. The DNS will direct your domain to the location of your website code, allowing your unique website to display on the Internet. If you intend to use your domain for either email or a website, you need 'DNS hosting'.
DNS hosting is sometimes provided with Domain Name Registration at no extra charge. However, usually, domain name registration fees will be higher to include DNS hosting fees. It is convenient to use the same provider for DNS hosting and website hosting, as it simplifies management and troubleshooting.
Can Aro host my DNS?
If you are a new client of Arosoftware, we include DNS hosting in your subscription package upon signing up. If you have recently purchased a new domain, you can forward us your domain registry login credentials and we can take care of the DNS migration process on your behalf.
If you already have a DNS host and wish to migrate your DNS to our services, a migration process will need to take place. This may incur a migration cost. If you would like to migrate your DNS over to us, please send an email to support@arosoftware.com informing us of your decision.
What is an SSL Certificate and do I really need one?
An SSL certificate is a type of digital certificate that provides authentication for a website and enables an encrypted connection, making it more secure for users. Websites without the SSL certificate will remain as http, while those with encryption will show https in users’ browsers. Google is pushing all website owners to implement SSL certificates, aiming to be a trusted search engine. Websites without SSL will be ranked lower in search results, and users will be wary of visiting a site marked “Not Secure”. Even if your website doesn’t collect sensitive data, not having an SSL certificate could negatively impact user trust and lead to more visitors abandoning your site.
What is Going Live?
Going live means making your website operational and visible to the public. Whether your new website is ready or your old site is being replaced by a website built by Aro, we will request instructions from you to make your website live. The usual process is as follows:
- Our web developers will send you a draft of your website for approval
- Once approved, we will schedule a training session with our support team so that you can learn how to make changes to your website
- After the training session, you may want to take some time to make finishing touches
- When you are ready, send us an email asking us to make your site live
