Resources

On this page you will find definitions, links and information to help you better understand topics related to communications development in general. Click any of the topics below to move to a particular subject. If you can not find what you are looking for here, please Email us with your question at: info@zeropointmediagroup.com

Web Site Related Topics
What is web hosting?
What is domain registration?
What is a web browser?
What is a PDF file? How do I open a PDF file?
How do I sell items online?

Web Hosting

A web site must be located on what is called a "web server". This is simply a dedicated computer where all of the files are stored. There are many companies who offer "Web Hosting" and the cost to host your web site varies depending on how much storage capacity is required.

Most basic web sites may be hosted for as little as $10 per month. Some services will bill a credit card or debit card each month; others will require an entire year of payment up front.

Once you decide upon a hosting service, your web files are the uploaded from our computers to the hosting computer. Each time a change is made to a web page, or a new page is added, the files are again uploaded to the server before anyone else can view them.

Some hosting services we work with:

Whidbey Telecom Internet & Broadband
Go Daddy

Domain Registration

A "domain" or "domain name" is the name people type in to their web browser to access your web site. Our domain name is zeropointmediagroup.com. To get a domain name, you must first check to see if it is available. Many names have already been purchased by other companies with a similar business name. For example: the domain "zeropoint.com" was already taken, so we could not buy it.

To check if a name is available, you can use any domain registration service. Some charge more for names than others. We use Go Daddy for our domains, but you may use whomever you wish.

What is a web browser?

Windows Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome are all web browsers. A web browser is simply your gateway to the World Wide Web experience. You can change your web browser by simply downloading whichever browser you prefer - or switch between different browsers anytime you like. All of these web browsers are free and simple to install on any computer just by following a few easy prompts.

Get Firefox | Get Windows Explorer | Get Google Chrome

What is a PDF file? How do I open a PDF file?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free software program that allows you to open PDF (portable document format) files. You probably already have it installed on your computer, as it usually ships free with most newer computers. If you do not have it, or would like the latest free update, click on the link below.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Shopping Cart Services / E-commerce

Selling online, or e-commerce at it is called, is accomplished through several means. At the very least, a product must be available for sale which may either be downloaded (software, ebooks), or shipped.To sell online, there must be a way for the buyer to view the product, read about it's features, and a way to buy it - usually with a credit card.

This is usually accomplished by using a shopping cart - or shopping cart software actually - either through a service such as Google Checkout or Amazon, or a dedicated shopping cart service provider as part of a hosting account or installed on your web sites server.

Shopping Carts

There are many shopping carts available, from free services included as part of a web hosting offer, to exclusive carts developed for large catalog sellers such as Target, Pottery Barn, JC Penny, etc. Most small businesses can sell online with a basic cart which is usually free. Merchants selling more than fifty items, or items with variable options, or those companies operating inseveral languages and currencies may require a dedicated cart such as Digishop

Free Carts

OS Commerce

"Free" carts as part of hosting packages
These carts are not actually free, because you must first sign up for a hosting account or some other service to receive access to the cart the service offers. Carts are minimal in functionality, but work for merchants on a budget who sell only a few items.

On Charge
Go Daddy

Carts for purchase

Digishop

Zen Cart

PaidCart