Understand Domain Name, Web Host, Hosting Package and Websites using a two minute Mall Analogy

We design and build websites, we also set up hosting accounts, and purchase domains for the customers. But very often customers are confused, either because they let the web developer handle all their website needs, or because they are too busy.

There are MANY videos on line trying to explain this concept, ALMOST ALL use plot, house(building), street analogy, which works great for countries that have street address and delivery to street address. People living in those countries are used to that system and so they can understand very quickly.

However, here in Oman and a few of the GCC countries, most people do not even know the number of the house they live in. It is in some papers or contracts and it's on the placard on the wall, but no one pays attention, until they have to give directions to someone... even then, most times Google and other services do not yet have (in 2024) a full database of house numbers etc. In many areas even street names and numbers do  not exist. Based on recent information and address search, we have noticed that Google Trucks are now passing through and capturing street view (finally!), which means soon the street address system will start working.

But one may wonders, are there home deliveries done in Oman? The answer is yes, for as long as I can remember home deliveries (at different levels) and home service visits have existed (before the 90's). Back in the 90's you just gave land marks as map guides when you talked to people on the phone. Once WhatsApp arrived, location pin option has become the primary way to get services to your house or work place.

OK now lets get back to the subject!

Many times when we call an acquired* customer to let them know that it is time to renew their domain is about to expire, or their web hosting is about to expire, they say, I already paid for it, why is it expiring again so soon.

So when we look at the records, they may have renewed their lease on the Domain Name, but the time for renewing Web hosting service may not coincide, so they think they already paid.

In some cases, some customers have a Domain Name and think that is all they need. So we have to sit (or get on the phone and try to explain)

Finally we came up with the Mall Analogy as the easiest way to explain to our customers what having a website entails.

In the GCC there are plenty of shopping strips and malls, and many people own businesses or personally know more than one person who owns a business or more. Therefore we have thought hard about this and we believe we are the very first ones to come up with the Mall Analogy for our customers in the GCC area.

 

Bare Business Basics

In this analogy, when a person wants to start any business we believe that in simplest terms, they need to have the following in line;

• A business idea
• Business name
• Initial business start up size
• Location
• Design and decoration
• Suppliers
• Finally an idea of what it will cost to maintain, update and upgrade the business

Business in a Mall

Many people in a very short time choose their business name. When someone intends to open a business in a mall (let's say Xfinity mall), they can tell their friends that they have their business, in this example we call it Blue Suede Shoes LLC, at the mall. Their friends proceed to the mall but on arrival they cannot find the shop! This is because they have to first go to the leasing offices, discuss their goals and budgets. Then the leasing personnel will walk them around the mall to help them choose from available spaces that fit the customers budget. After this, the customer will have to get a designer who will help them design the shop. Following which, the customer will add products from suppliers and finally open the shop.

Now if the customer were to tell their friend that their Blue Suede Shoes store is open at Xfinity mall, their friends will find it!

Mall vs. Web Host

In website terms this is how a shop in the mall (in very basic terms) will compare to a website on the internet.

• Mall is compared to Web Host, in that a mall has many shops of various sizes, using resources differently. The Web Hosting company is like a mall, it hosts many websites which use resources differently. So just like a mall is a location, a web host is a location on internet.
• Business name / Shop name off line is compared to Domain Name/ Web Address, just as in the previous example, simply having a name such as BlueSuedeShoes.com, does not mean you actually have a website yet.
• Just like you would choose a shop size and location in a mall, you need to choose a web hosting package that meets your needs (normally your web master or web designer and/or developer will choose this for you, starting small and growing as needed)
• Then just like you would hire a designer to decorate your store, you need a web master or a website designer and/or developer (depending a business size you may need more than one person, you may need several people in a team to work on building your website).
• Finally your website is up and running and now you can tell your friends to go to BlueSuedeShoes.com, they will actually see something.

Hidden Costs?

In website business there is no thing such as hidden costs, either someone is charging you for what you have, or they are charging you for something that maybe they are not doing. It is a good idea to sit or have some sort of a meeting with your service providers to understand exactly what they are charging you for so that there is no misunderstanding or mistrust. There is no point doing business with someone you do not trust!

There are basically one time charges and recurring charges. In this writing we will keep it as simple as possible!

• Domain Name / Website Address, you do not own it, you lease it, and you pay for it yearly, or in multiple years
• Hosting package, this too, you do not own (just like a lease of property at the mall), you pay for it it monthly, yearly, or in multiple years
• Website design, you pay for it once! IF in the future you add something that requires new developing or you completely redo the website, you may pay again accordingly.
• Website upkeep, maintenance, updates (including paid plugins, website themes, etc), upgrades, etc. This is similar to having someone clean your shop, change bulbs, paint something etc. You pay for this monthly, yearly, or in multiple years.

We hope this helps our customers that there are different costs that come with having a website. We hope also they will take time to speak to those providing them website services so they can understand what is goin on. They can also ask the website services provider to consolidate services so that they pay for all items once a year at a specified time.

Enjoy your business online

Team Oman360Views