How to Create a Website
A website is a collection of interlinked pages on the Internet that are identified by a common domain name, published on one or more web servers, and accessed via a web browser. The page content may be static or dynamic and is typically organized by a navigation menu and/or search bar. Depending on the type of website, it may include multimedia such as audio or video. Websites are commonly used to provide information about a business, organization or brand, and also serve as ecommerce channels, entertainment venues, social media platforms and more.
A web server is a computer that is permanently connected to the Internet and hosts one or more websites. Like a library’s collection of books, each web server has its own section or category, such as Science, Literature, History, etc.
To access a specific web page, an address or URL is typed into a browser’s search field and the web server returns that specific Web page and its associated content to the Web browser. Websites can be made up of any number of individual Web pages, but the most common is a home page that serves as an introductory point and contains hyperlinks to other web pages in a site.
There are many different ways to create a website, but the two most fundamental components are a domain name and web hosting. The domain name is the unique name that identifies your website on the internet, and the web host is where your website lives, which is technically where all of your website’s data and content is stored.
Some websites are designed with the primary goal of delivering service online, rather than selling products or services. Examples of this include government websites and nonprofit organizations, such as those that provide assistance to people facing unemployment or housing issues. These sites can also serve as an ecommerce channel to sell products or services, but their success often depends on communicating the value that users will receive from making a purchase and offering a user-friendly checkout and payment process.
Many websites are designed to present or share information and content online, such as an artist’s portfolio or a job resume for someone seeking employment. The primary function of these types of websites is to establish an online presence, manage and display their content, and allow for the possibility of future interaction with the content or product.
While there are many different ways to create a website, most modern websites are created with a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress or Joomla. These systems utilize coding languages such as HTML and Cascading Style Sheets to design the overall appearance and functionality of the site. They also allow users without programming knowledge to make significant changes and updates. For example, most CMS software programs have a WYSIWYG editor that makes navigating the software interface easy for those not familiar with coding. With a little bit of research, anyone can find a software program that will work with their needs and budget.