What we do at marulaweb
Below is a brief description of the different services we provide. Click on the name to view the information.
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Domain Registration
Establishing your own Internet presence is as easy as obtaining a domain name.
In today's world, this is probably the first step towards any new business. A custom domain name also ensures the future and integrity of your brand.
Whether it's .co.za, .com, or whatever you prefer, we can register the name on your behalf.
You are welcome to contact us so that we can discuss your needs. -
Website Hosting
"Hosting" is one of those essential things that happens in the background of every website, and is not always very well understood.
In reality, a simple process. We need to place your website somewhere on a computer where the world can see it. It is also a complex process that is best left in the hands of specialists.
The general practice is that the cost of hosting is directly proportional to the volume of data stored on the computer and the volume of traffic it generates.
We do not own computers on which hosting is done. We do have access to a lot of space on such computers that are operated by specialist companies. By mutual agreement, we can place websites on one of several computers, whichever one is suitable for your website.
If there is a need to use a server that is not shared with others, we can also help with that.
There is also no obligation to host the websites we create on any of these service providers' computers. You are welcome to obtain this service from other providers, in which case we must have access that service. -
Most of the hosting packages we offer include email facilities.
The service is very flexible in that more than one address can be created, and the limit on the size of an email and the space it takes up is negotiable. Extraordinary requests may be available at a premium.
The ideal email address would be yourname@yourdomain.co.za and is not the same as a Gmail account.
We are very comfortable with the eMClient software for use on your computer for emails, instead of standard products such as "Outlook". -
Website Design and Development
New websites:
Let's be honest. The face of your business is no longer the voice on the phone, or the girl at the reception desk. These days, your business is judged by how your website looks and whether it meets the viewer's expectations.
Whether a business needs a website has long since ceased to be an argument. The argument now is whether your website works for you.
But there's more. Does it meet the requirements of Google and other search engines? Can the viewer see it on his cell phone (and use it!!).
We make an effort to ensure that the websites we create meet your needs and are optimally viewed by the Internet.
Feel free to contact us for more information.
Your existing website:
If your existing website is not meeting your expectations, there is probably a lot that can be done about it. Your website doesn't have to be just an expense, it can also be an asset that works for you.
If you are interested, we would be happy to provide an honest, unbiased opinion of your website, as well as free, no-obligation advice on how to improve the effectiveness of your existing website.
Our report may include comments and/or recommendations regarding the following important components of a successful website:- Design
- Content
- What Google would like to see
Our opinion and quote to improve your existing website is free. Feel free to contact us.
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Online Stores or e-Commerce
Trading on the Internet is not only common, in today's changing world it has almost become a necessity.
We create online stores specifically for your needs. Then we load the first stockitem as a sample and assist your staff with uploading the balance. After everything has been tested, we link the payment method to your bank account.
Whether the store sells to the public or whether you only receive orders from distributors, or both, your function is basically limited to shipping products. Unless specifically set up differently, every order will be paid by the time you receive notice of it.
Talk to us. It is much easier to run a store like this than you expected. -
Website Maintenance and Support
We are all aware by now that a website cannot just stay as it is. There is a regular need to change content, update it, fix bugs and more.
If changes need to be made to websites developed by us, it is as simple as asking us and it is done.
Normally we charge a nominal fee per event. In some cases websites require regular updating and for such we offer a basic support agreement. -
SEO and Paid Advertisements
Google, and all other search engines (Google is the largest and where we mention their name below it includes all the others), are by far the busiest entity on the Internet. They also count as the most frequent visitor to any website.
These many visits include investigations as well as evaluation of the website. This has always formed the basis of where a website is placed in response to someone searching for a service or product.
In this respect the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) industry has helped to get your website higher on the list. Unfortunately, greed has also found its way here, and Google now accepts payment from the highest bidder who will secure the entry at the top of the list.
It is also possible to have advertisements appear on your website and receive payment if someone clicks on it.
SEO
We do not do anything special in this game. What we do is to comply with all the basic information and requirements to make the website visible on the Internet on Google's terms. Standard procedure of writing any website at Marulaweb.
Paid Plans
As mentioned, Google is happy to accept payment to influence search results. We can guide you in the right direction to get involved if you wish to do so. We will not get involved ourselves as managing such a plan could become a full-time job that we are not equipped to handle.
Our office is also not a big proponent of advertising on your website. We see no reason why you would want to advertise the opposition's product on your website.
You are welcome to contact us for more information or advice. Advice from our office is impartial and free of charge. -
Terms, Conditions, Privacy and Cookies
Websites were born in 1991 and today there are approximately 200 million active websites with approximately 1.2 billion registered domains.
Initially, also in 2002 when we got involved, we could write whatever we wanted. Things have changed a lot and these days we also have to take into account Google's requirements and of course legislation. For example, we used cookies to our heart's content to make the operation of the website easier.
European legislation now requires that European websites clearly state that cookies are used, and even that permission be given to use certain cookies. You have probably already noticed this trend on the Internet.
Terms and Conditions
It is important to clearly bring to the attention of viewers what the terms are for the use of your website. Copyright is, for example, something that may be important with information placed on your website. Whether you want to place a voluminous legal document on the website, or something shorter in 'plain' language (as we normally do) is not important. However, it is essential to include such information on the website.
Additional conditions, for example how your product should be used, should also be included on the website.
Privacy and Cookies
Local legislation, such as the POPI act, requires that the protection of clients' privacy must be ensured. This will be included in the Privacy statement that is essential to place on the website.
There is also a statement of what type of cookies are used. Should you want to collect personal information of your clients from the website to later use in advertisement campaigns, it is essential that this is mentioned here.
When writing a website here at Marulaweb, all of the above is included as part of our service. -
Social Media
It is very unlikely that anyone will use social media to buy something from you.
Yet almost everyone uses social media to obtain information.
To be part of this pool of information distributed through social media, it is very important to be an active participant. A social media presence without active and regular participation has no value.
We do not have intimate knowledge of the daily events in your business environment and therefore cannot act as an active participant on your behalf. We can however, assist in setting up your social media presence.
There are several different social media platforms, each with its own flavor, style and users. Your type of business and/or your target market will determine which platform(s) you should consider.
Feel free to contact us for more information. Our advice on social media is without obligation.
