General Questions

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General Questions

Payment Questions

Hosting Questions

Domain Questions

General Questions

What is a website?

A website is a way to present your business online. It is a place where anybody in the world can visit at any time of the day, and learn more about your business, your products or services, ask you questions, give you feedback, and even purchase your products online.

Why do I need a website?

More and more people are using the internet as a means of research – they can view a range of businesses providing the service or product they are seeking, and use that information in their purchasing decision. If you are not putting your company out there, these clients will simply go elsewhere.

You can use a website to provide products and services to a global audience. You can also use your site to provide additional, specific services to your clients, for example product specials, order management, newsletters etc.

How does a website work?

A website is simply a collection of files located on a server. When a user types in a domain name, a request is sent out from their computer out to the internet, which takes the domain name entered, and converts it to an IP address. The request then finds its way to the server that is hosting the website, which then sends back the requested file to the user’s computer.

There’s quite a few steps involved in getting a website to display in your browser, even though it looks simple, and happens very quickly!

HowStuffWorks has a great article on how web servers work.

What is a datacenter?

Multiple web servers are housed in units known as racks. These racks are located in rooms within a building called a datacenter. A typical datacenter has backup power, strict security and extremely fast, multiple connections direct to the internet backbone.

The Island Hosting servers are located in datacenters in Sydney, Australia.

Are you accepting international customers?

We are currently not accepting international customers. Island Hosting has been set up to cater specifically for businesses within Tasmania. We know that people like to work with local businesses where possible, and enjoy the security of having personal support on offer at all times.

Of course, we’ll accept mainlanders if they wish to join us!

Do you offer a website design service?

Island Hosting has been set up to specifically provide hosting and domain management services. If you need web design services, please visit our other business – JKB Web Solutions.

Can I use ColdFusion or ASP in my website?

No, the servers used at Island Hosting are not set up to allow these technologies.