Introduction:
The Focus Internet Guide has been developed to provide introductory information about how the Internet works, and more importantly, how the Internet can work for you. In this guide we will explain what we think makes a good website, how to make your website available around the world and how to organise web hosting for your website.

What is the Internet?
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers providing access to millions of Internet pages containing data, news and opinions. Originally designed by the US Defense Department, the Internet now contains millions upon millions of web pages.

What is a website?
A website is a location on the Internet that is accessible worldwide by inputting a unique web address that provides information on a subject, person or organisation. A website is usually made of a number of web pages that are linked from the opening home page. A web page is usually made up of a collection of text, images and other multimedia elements such as sound, animation, and movies.

How can I create my own website?
Creating a website is very similar to creating a company brochure. You need to organise the design of your brochure and then make it accessible to all your potential customers. The web design process is quite different to designing a printed brochure, so you are advised to employ a web designer to design your website. Your web designer will probably ask you for information about your company, your contact details and any images of your premises, products and services. When your website has been designed it is ready to made available for the rest of the world.

How can I make my website available around the world?
Once you have designed your website, you need to add your website to the computer network that makes up the Internet. This is usually provided by a web hosting company. Web hosting companies provide space on a web server where you can arrange for your website files to be stored. These web servers are constantly connected to the Internet, allowing people on the Internet to view your website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

How do customers know where to find my website?
Every website has a unique web address, called a domain name (for example, www.yourcompanyname.com). By adding your web address to your company stationary and advertisements, your customers will be able to type your address into the address field of their Internet browser (for example, Internet Explorer).

How can I get my website listed on search engines such as Google and Yahoo?
Most search engines use automated software robots to trawl through the Internet and compile a list of websites that they find. Each website is categorised depending on the type of information provided on the website. For example, if your company sells radios, the word "radio" will be associated with your website. When somebody searches the Internet with the word "radio", your website should be listed in the results.

As you can imagine, there are thousands of websites that want to be listed when somebody searches for the word "radio". In order to show the best results first, search engines will rank each website according to its relevance and importance. Well-designed and structured websites that many other websites link to will be given a higher rank that poorly designed unlinked websites. The process of improving your position in search results is known as search engine optimisation.

What makes a good website?
When you are commissioning the design of a website, it is important to have an idea of what makes a good website. Well-designed websites should include the following elements:
> clear and consistent navigation from each page
> crisp and uncluttered design
> readable text (sufficient whitespace, light background and dark coloured font)
> good use of colour and imaging to brighten up the website
> consistent brand colouring with your company logo, stationary and advertisements
> text links to supplement any image links
> manageable size of all graphics to ensure fast download
> minimal use of Flash and other large multimedia elements that increase download times
> easy to find contact information (telephone numbers, postal addresses, email addresses)

This Internet Guide has been compiled by Focus Productions to assist you in getting your business onto the Internet. Please check back soon to read a more detailed version of this guide. We are also very happy to answer any of your questions about the Internet. Click here to contact Focus Productions.