client hosting + web services

 

Unlike many other creative agencies we offer a complete hosting service for all our clients, for standard websites to full blown e-commerce websites and database driven projects.

To ensure that our clients can have a completely managed solution we also provide professional domain name registration and management, email, CMS, and E-Commerce options.

If you require further information on any of these services please just click below, or get in touch for a quick chat.

More Information...

 

web site hosting

Once your website has been built it has to go somewhere. All the files and images need to be managed properly, and it needs to be accessible to everyone on the web.

We make it look simple but to get it right does require some extraordinary technology and super-duper equipment and a first class server environment with reliable connectivity, and that's what we offer our clients.

  • CLIENT ONLY hosting - only our clients websites and files on our servers. We do not use a cheaper 'shared server' or 'reseller' system.
  • Resilient server design
  • 99% guaranteed uptime
  • UNLIMITED bandwidth - not capped, not throttled, not 'just enough for your site'... full unlimited bandwidth
  • Cisco network architecture and Dell servers
  • Secure UK based server environment with UPS, fire and water suppressant systems, and physical security protecting your website


All our web servers are based on the Linux / Apache / MySQL / PHP combination - referred to as 'LAMP' - the most reliable and widely used platform in the web hosting industry, and this is why we currently do not offer Windows based hosting.

domain names

The registration of a domain name is essential for your web presence. Even if you've not got your website ready yet, let us register the name (or names) for you in advance - don't wait until your website is finished and risk losing your preferred name, possibly to your competition. If you do not have a domain registered yet please call us now on 0845 2602 007 to discuss your registration requirements.

We are full members of Nominet UK and are a CentralNIC Accredited Registrar and provide a domain name search, registration, dns hosting and name management service for anyone requiring the registration of domain names. From the most popular .co.uk and .com to .net, .org, and many others TLDs, we can handle all your requirements.

  • Full domain name search and registration service.
  • DNS management.
  • Multiple renewal reminders from 60 days prior to expiry.
  • Web forward (if necessary).
  • Multiple recipient addressing service (one domain address sends the email to multiple POP3 mailboxes when using our email service).
  • Name aliasing (different names into one mailbox) .


Unlike many domain agencies, we do not charge any extra for any of these services, nor do we charge a release fee if transfer your name to another provider after registration.

email

Having a reliable and more importantly 'own brand' email system is paramount for a business. We think our clients would prefer to promote their company name, not their internet service providers.

How many times have you seen business email addresses such as 'johnthebuilder@btconnect.com' or 'lucysflowers@tiscali.co.uk'..? Provided your domain name is hosted with us, our POP/SMTP email service allows you to use your domain name within your email address to project a more professional approach to your business, and more importantly maintain your brand.

Email service feature list.. > click here

Email service features

  • Worried about email viruses? Our mail system provides a 1st line of defence 'sweep' across incoming emails as standard.
  • Optional managed SPAM filter that can scan your emails before you receive them - we can automatically tag or delete suspected junk mail for you.
  • Direct SMTP feed available. If you have an office server running MS Exchange we can feed straight into your server so your email goes directly to you for internal distribution.
  • MRA (Multiple Recipient Address) - If you need 3 or 4 (or even more) people to all receive emails addressed to 'sales' or another generic or group address, we can set up automatic distribution to a number of separate POP3 mailboxes simultaneously.
  • Away from your office..? Access your emails from any internet connected PC anywhere in the world using our WebMail interface.


You don't have to have a website or site hosting services to use our email service. All our services are separate so we only supply you with what you need. We have a number of clients that are not businesses but simply require a professional and reliable email service.

CMS - content management

Updating website content is an important part of maintaining your brand on the web, and making sure your website content doesn't become 'stale'. It's called Content Management. We can do it.. or you can do it. The choice is yours.

We manage the maintenance and updating of website content for many of our clients who simply don't want the hassle or haven't got the time to get it done. If however you have content that needs to be updated on a regular basis, or simply want the ability to update pages whenever you want, then our GCM content management product is just the ticket.

GCM full feature list... > click here

GCM top 6 FAQ's... > click here

GCM Feature List:

  • Log in and update content within your web site pages from any web connected PC.
  • Controlled zoning of editable content to prevent you editing or deleting key areas of your site.
  • Type in fresh text content or update existing.
  • Upload or change images on your web pages.
  • Edit and update Title, Keywords, and Description meta tags.
  • Edit and update text in 'Clone Zones' so that one 'zone' or area can carry the same data in key areas across multiple pages i.e. news updates, special offers, announcements etc..
  • Create and edit layout tables.
  • Change font sizes, colours and formats i.e. bold, underline, italic etc..
  • Create hyperlinks to other internal pages or to external web sites.
  • Roll-Back Feature - instantly recall a previously edited page.
  • Create new 'template based' pages.
  • Setup 'Admin' and 'Users' for managed control over who can edit and at what level.
  • System logs page updates by date, time, and user so you can see who last updated a certain page.

GCM Frequently Asked Question's

"Do I need to download or install any software.?"

No - GCM is built into your selected web site pages and the relevant program files that makes it all work are loaded onto our hosting server.

"I only want to control the content on 1 page not my whole site - is that ok.?"

Yes, no problem. You can have GCM installed on 1 page, selected pages, or your entire web site.

"I'm not sure about editing and re-sizing images - can I just edit text.?"

Of course. If you need to have complex image editing and re-sizing carried out, or you just don't have any suitable image editing software, we can do this for you and upload the images, and you can just edit your text.

"Is there a monthly or yearly fee to use GCM.?"

Nope - GCM is simply a one-off fee which licences and assigns a copy of GCM to your domain on your web site.

"Do I need a database to use GCM.?"

Here's the best bit of all.... NO YOU DON'T! Unlike many other content management systems GCM doesn't require a database to work, so there are no extra hosting fee's payable either.

"Will it affect my web site with regards to search engines.?"

If anything it will make it better! You will have the ability to not only edit your text content but also your meta tags. By keeping your web site content up to date and fresh, major search engines like Google love to see this, and are more likely to prefer your site over one that hasn't been updated for a long time.

2 really important features..

1. There is no software to download or install on your PC. GCM is built in to your site and accessed via a web browser.

2. Unlike many other content management systems GCM doesn't need a hosted database to work, so there is no extra hosting charges involved.

Interested..? Please get in touch for more details.

Heads up! Before you call can we just clarify that GCM is not a site building system - it is for editing and updating your content only, not to design and build a complete web site. That's what we're here for.

GCart E-Commerce

E-commerce - the phrase most commonly used when referring to selling on-line. Products or services, delivered or downloaded, we can get your business trading on-line effectively with either our standard cart software - the GCart, or a completely bespoke solution tailored specifically to suit your individual requirements. Our standard GCart product is at the heart of our on-line store offering, providing you with:

  • A fully functional database driven on-line store.
  • A back end administration area for product management.
  • Customer order updates.
  • No software to install - all web based.
  • Full payment options built-in as standard including Cheque with order, SagePay, and PayPal.
  • The GCart can be installed on your web space and used in its standard visual format straight away, or if required can be completely customised (at extra cost) to suit your requirements.

GCart feature list... > click here

GCart feature list

  • Works with an unlimited number of products*
  • Discount price feature
  • Related products or "people who bought this also bought this" feature
  • Exclude some or all products from being subject to vat
  • Assign products to up to two different categories
  • Specify individual product options - different sizes, colours, hand, specifications etc...
  • Specify product weight (used to calculate postage)
  • Items in stock counter or static 'available/in stock' message
  • Upload up to 6 images per product plus 1 PDF file
  • Automatically creates the thumbnail images for you - no need to create 2 versions of each image yourself
  • Flexible postage calculation - base on weight, number of products, or custom amount
  • Provide your customers with discount codes in either £ or % (on-line voucher codes)
  • Customisable e-mail messages to both you and your customer
  • Charge different vat and delivery rates based on the customer's location if you sell outside the UK
  • Backup database contents (data only) at the click of a button
  • Allow your customers to log in to your site and see the latest status of their order
  • Export your customers details in CSV format - this can be opened in Microsoft Excel
  • Export price list - your uploaded product details  output in CSV format
  • Export orders - all orders placed along with customer's details - in CSV format
  • Send product info to a friend at a click of a button
  • Summary of shopping cart order can be displayed on any page within online store
  • Customers can log-in if they have ordered before for faster repeat orders - contact details are saved in database (but for security not payment details)
  • Built-in compatibility with SagePay
  • Built-in compatibility with PayPal
  • Built-in Invoice / cheque with order option. Customer is given an online invoice and your address so that they can then send payment manually

 

*depending on hosting space allocation

We can also provide bespoke customisation for client specific functionality should the standard feature set not meet your needs. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements further.

custom databases and online applications

Many businesses and individuals are now recognising the benefits of custom built database applications built to run completely on-line, as opposed to installation directly on their computer.

If your business requires a custom built application or database accessible from any web connected workstation, for either user/multiple users or customer-based access, then please contact us to discuss your requirements. Tailored on-line solutions for our clients include:

  • Custom built e-commerce solutions.
  • Client and sub-contractor management system.
  • Support request system for an IT company.
  • Various payment solutions.
  • All-in-one trade/wholesale/retail discount order e-commerce site.