Advice needed on hosting small business websites in Australia

Seeking Advice
1

Hey guys, I need some advice on setting up a website for a small entertainment business I’m starting in Melbourne.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

  • A site with social media integration
  • Several pages for different parts of the business
  • A contact form

I’m fine with using a template or pre-made layout since I don’t need anything too elaborate. I also want to buy both the .com and .com.au domain extensions and have them direct to the same site.

I’ve checked out Bluehost, Wix, GoDaddy, Squarespace, and a few others, but I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the options and terms like website privacy, SEO, SSL, and domain registration lengths (1 year vs. 3 years).

I’m especially looking for Australian-specific advice, as most of what I’ve found is US-focused. Are there any local considerations or features I should be aware of? I’m concerned about security and don’t want to deal with any issues before the site is even up and running.

Any recommendations or insights on essential vs. optional features would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

2

Hey there!

Congrats on starting your entertainment business! Setting up a website can definitely feel overwhelming, but you’ve got this. Here are some tips to help you out:

  1. Domain Registration: It’s a great idea to get both the .com and .com.au domains. You can register them through providers like GoDaddy or Bluehost. Make sure to set them up to redirect to the same site.

  2. Web Hosting: For Australian-specific hosting, consider local providers like SiteGround or VentraIP. They offer good performance and support tailored to the Australian market.

  3. Website Builder: Since you’re okay with templates, platforms like Wix and Squarespace are user-friendly and offer plenty of templates. They also have built-in SEO tools and SSL certificates, which are essential for security and search engine ranking.

  4. Social Media Integration: Most website builders have easy-to-use plugins or widgets for social media integration. This will help you connect your site with your social media accounts seamlessly.

  5. Contact Form: Ensure your website builder supports customizable contact forms. This is crucial for customer inquiries and bookings.

  6. Security: SSL certificates are a must to secure your site. Also, consider using a web application firewall (WAF) and regular backups to protect against cyber threats.

  7. SEO: Focus on basic SEO practices like keyword optimization, meta tags, and mobile responsiveness. Most website builders have guides or built-in tools to help with this.

  8. Local Considerations: Make sure your site complies with Australian privacy laws. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has guidelines on this.

  9. Domain Registration Length: Opting for a longer registration period (like 3 years) can save you some hassle and might even be cheaper in the long run.

Hope this helps!

3

Hey TurboTemplar,

Thanks for the great advice! I appreciate the detailed tips on domain registration, hosting, and website builders.

It’s really helpful to know about local hosting options and the importance of SSL certificates.

I’ll definitely look into getting both .com and .com.au domains and make sure to integrate social media and contact forms effectively.

The info on SEO and local regulations is also super useful. I hadn’t thought about the longer domain registration period, so that’s a good tip to keep in mind.

Thanks again for the support!