How difficult it is to run a Swim.Rocks website?
Customers tell us that our websites are simple and easy to run.
All of our websites are delivered containing demo content. Many people find it much easier to replace existing content than start from scratch. Basic instructions for our PAYG / Standard website are here.
What equipment do we need?
A computer with internet access via a reasonably modern browser. No additional software is required, although access to email, basic word processing and basic image editing applications is recommended.
Website content is basically words and pictures! Most modern smart phones take photographs of adequate quality for website use. You will become expert at re-sizing them for website use.
May we retain our existing website domain name?
It depends. Swimming Australia .swimming.org.au domains cannot be retained unfortunately. Most others can be, provided you have access to your domain name registrar.
If we change our domain name, can we register the new one with Google?
Registration with Google is not possible. Google are smart and will automatically spot that your old domain is no longer attracting visitors and that a new one is. Gradually over time your new domain will rank in Google above the old one.
Once your new site is live we recommend decommissioning the old one. If this is not easy to do then post a very large and clear message on the old site pointing visitors to the new one.
Can we still access the Swimming Australia Online Race Entry system, MyLane, Join now system etc?
Yes. Use links on your website to do this – try by pressing on the links above. In some cases the routing of ‘join now’ may go via a page where you have to select your club, rather than direct.
How much support might we need?
In our experience people need a bit of hand holding as they become familiar with their new website environment. After that we receive the very occasional contact. Our platform and premium software is very reliable (touch wood!) so there is rarely any need for technical support.
Why change from our existing Swimming Australia website?
If you are happy with that then don’t change. It is provided by them as part of your club affiliation fee for no extra cost. Concerns about its appearance and ease of use are the main reasons people cite when requesting a new one.
As with all things in life, you get what you pay for! Swimming Australia will give you the basics and their solution is perfectly adequate. Our solutions are not free but give you additional functionality.
We have seen cheaper prices elsewhere
Yes it is possible to get a WordPress website built for a couple of hundred dollars and hosted for a few dollars per month, including unlimited email addresses. There are ‘business grade’ solutions that appear cheaper than us. We suggest that you confirm that you are comparing like with like. In particular:
- Does the hosting include premium software (theme, photo display, contact form, etc), and support for anything relating to your website (not just the hosting)?
- Do the email addresses include inbound anti-spam protection? Are outbound emails sent from a server that is not black listed by anti-spam systems? Without this you may either be plagued by inbound spam, or may suffer delivery problems with your outbound messages.
What tips do you have for choosing a StudioPress theme (Built for you only)?
2 things to consider:
- Purpose – Sales vs Service: many themes are designed to convert a new website visitor into a customer. Whilst you will want to attract new members, serving existing members will be just as important. Consider, where will new content be placed, can you image the front page being regularly updated with news, pictures, new schedules, notices about upcoming meets, etc? Consider using a theme that is more news or blog orientated.
- Photography: Most great websites rely on fantastic photography. Most swim clubs have access to good but not fantastic photography. We therefore recommend against themes that use a few high quality images. Instead use something where many images can be used and changed as often as required without adversely affecting the site appearance.
Can you build a website using a theme that we’ve found elsewhere?
Yes but not at these prices sorry. We use quality components that we know to be reliable and we are familiar in their use.
We’d like to update our logo, what would you recommend?
Checkout 99designs, Fiverr and DesignCrowd. Whilst we can’t explicitly recommend, we have had positive experiences. Make sure you are comfortable with the designer you are using, and check whether the pricing is in AU$ or US$.
We need some new photographs
A smartphone in the right hands can produce great photos. Why not ask your senior swimmers to take some during the next club night?
For professional photos we highly recommend Nina Beilby in Sydney. She has a particular knack of capturing the human side of swimming. We’ve been using her for years. Hire her for a couple of hours and she’ll give you digital copies of ALL the photos she takes to distribute to your members.
Generic stock photography is available for purchase from services such as Shutterstock.
We want to migrate content from our existing website
This is included in our Built for you package. Alternatively you could try services such as Airtasker, or pay a computer literate swimmer in your club to spend a few hours cutting and pasting content.
We may also be able to find you a computer literate swimmer to do this for you!
If we decide to stop using your service, how do we access our data?
Contact us and we will provide a .zip file containing your entire site that can be imported into a new WordPress installation elsewhere. We will retain your data for 1 month after your service has been terminated. If we are managing your domain name then we can arrange for that to be transferred out. Email history cannot be archived or exported unfortunately.
Can we build a new site in the background before making it public?
Yes, for all plans except PAYG and Standard.
Can we upgrade our package later?
Yes.
Can we add email addresses later?
Yes, for all plans except PAYG and Standard. You can of course first upgrade to a package that includes email.
Why do you require payment up front?
We keep our pricing low by minimising our work, including chasing required information or unpaid invoices.
Which forms of payment do you accept
We accept payment via card or bank transfer. PAYG customers must pay by card. Receipts are issued.
What happens if we are not entirely satisfied with our service?
Tell us and we will rectify. If that is not possible then we will aim to reach mutual agreement. If necessary we may both agree to terminate our agreement and refund services not yet delivered. We have our professional reputation to protect so we only want delighted customers.
Is this offer only available for swim clubs?
No, anyone is welcome to use one, although we have designed them specifically for swim clubs.
We’re confused! What should we do?
Buy PAYG for $39. Start testing in 15 minutes. Present at your next meeting. Then keep going, cancel or upgrade. Too easy!
We have other questions
Call me and let’s talk! Ben Ramsden 0406 401 180.