The 'Web Basics' section will answer many of the questions that someone just contemplating a web site has. We've attempted to explain some of the technical terms that pertain to web sites in plain language, and to explain the benefits of having a presence of the Internet.

We will also try to explain what a web site can and, perhaps more importantly, cannot do for your business.

A web site gives your company world-wide exposure.

24 hours a day, 365 days a year, your site is available world-wide, and can be so for a very modest cost of less than £1.00 per day! It promotes your company as a vibrant, forward looking business that is conscious of your customers' needs, and one prepared to meet those needs by utilizing today's technology.

Already there are more e-mail addresses world-wide than fax numbers. People can view web pages on their televisions, and even on their mobile telephones. E-commerce has already revolutionised home shopping. People are using the Internet for banking, leisure activities, keeping in touch with distant friends, and increasingly as an information resource. With our children being exposed to the internet at schools, future generations will increasingly view the web as the prime resource for business and retail purchases.

What a web site won't do for you

Whilst a web site will expose your "Shop Window" to a much wider population, it won't work miracles. If you have a site where visitors can order your product and pay by credit card, you still need exactly the same distribution and returns strategy that you would for a conventional mail-order business. Think of it as a very economical way of producing a mail-order catalogue and one you can update as often as you wish without generating the cost of a whole new catalogue.

You can also think of your web site as a very economical addition to your Yellow Pages advertising. An advert available internationally, in full colour, unrestricted in size and with an ability to include sound and animations if required.

Where do CDDS come into this?

Please look at our Web Services pages to see the services and expertise that CDDS can bring to your company.