There is no doubt that an experienced web designer will be able to produce you a good website but before you go and commission one consider the advantages of using the Eastspace Initiative

• low cost, an Eastspace website is free because all the set up and hosting is sponsored by EEDA
• speed, your new website will be ready for you to put on your information in just a few days from request 
• unlike a conventional website an Eastspace site is 'self editing' so you can keep it up-to-date yourself

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Unlike most ordinary websites your Eastspace site will be under your control so you can add or edit all the information as often as you wish. This is done online using easy-to-use point-and-click forms. This means you will be able to keep your information up-to-date and add new information as your organisation grows.

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Once you have your new website set up, you will be given a password to access a set of easy-to-follow forms that enable you to add and edit all the information on your site. This system is referred to as the site's 'back office' because it is not visible to normal users.

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This is the really good news: Eastspace is sponsored by EEDA, you will find details of what is included in the sponsorship here.

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Normally you would have to pay to have a website hosted (i.e. held on a suitable computer so that it can be delivered to your users when requested). EEDA are funding this hosting so again there is no cost involved, (article 6094 "click here for details".)

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The EEDA-sponsored offer gives you the choice of selecting one of four designs. These can be made to reflect your organisation by the additional of your logo that can appear on every page. 

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You can have your logo on every page of your new website. Simply email us your logo (in jpg or gif format) when you request a website.

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As an additional, chargable, service we can produce a completely customised 'look and feel' for you that will reflect your organisation's identity. Even with your own unique website design you will still benefit from the self-editing system and back office functions.

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Not at all. In fact whole projects have been initiated and set up on the assumption that new website owners will not need any advanced computer or Internet skills. If you can use a browser (the programme that you use to access the Internet) and have basic word processing skills you will be able to generate and edit a whole range of information on your new website. 

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An email based help desk is available if you get stuck or want to find out how to do something a bit out of the ordinary. Click here for details.

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Eastspace is a complete, integrated system for building a website from scratch and so is not suitable for hosting an exisiting website. It is however not difficult to cut and paste most of your material into your new Eastspace website.

Yes, there is short easy-to-follow guide and a set of sample information to put on to your site. Once you have followed the examples feel free to experiment and see just how easy it is to change your site.

No problem: when your new web site is set up you may choose fucntions as described here . Take a look at the list and see what will help your organisation.

When your webs site is set up it will consist of a 'home page' using the background you have selected. You then have a free hand to populate this home page with abstracts about all the various items of information you want to publish. Each abstract has a '….more' link which, when clicked, will display the related article.

An article may be as simple as a piece of text, or as complex as you wish. An article can contain lots of images, perhaps a poll and of course links to other material.

Don't worry if it sounds a bit confusing: have a look here and you will find links to some current users which will give you idea of what can be achieved.

If you have information in an Excel spreadsheet or Access database then this can be displayed on your web site complete with searches and filters. You can update your database any time you want either by simply uploading an updated copy or editing records online, see here for details.

We recommend you use the industry standard JPG format, as produced by digital cameras and nearly always used on other web sites. The system will automatically produce thumbnails (little versions of your pictures) that you will find really useful to make your site more interesting. GIFs can also be used but you will have to produce thumbnails externally due to licence restrictions.

Yes, as a Eastspace website owner you will have access to online reports showing the number of pages that your site has delivered each month. You will also be able to see how many visitors you have had.

The iniative is only available to people or organisations that meet the criteria given here. If you are in doubt if you qualify please contact us.

Not at present: the iniative is not intended to be for e-commerce. If this is something you wish to do please contact us as there are alternative commercial solutions.

Simple, just click here to find out how to apply. We look forward to welcoming you to Eastspace.