What Is a Website?

A website is a collection of web pages and other resources hosted on servers, accessible via the World Wide Web using a browser. A website can contain information about a person, business or organization as well as entertainment, shopping and other services. Websites are used by both individuals and businesses to connect with customers and other stakeholders.

Websites can be accessed using desktop computers, mobile devices and other platforms. Depending on the purpose, websites are often designed to display differently on each platform. This is known as responsive design. Websites may also be accessed through dedicated application programming interfaces (APIs) or by entering a URL.

Web content is often delivered by the HTTP protocol. The main components of a website include HTML documents and associated graphic image files (such as GIFs and JPEGs), scripted programs in various languages, and links that connect them to each other. Web browsers usually display the files as HTML webpages.

Creating a website is an important step for any business, regardless of size. A website offers an opportunity to build a personal connection with customers and clients and to showcase company information and brand personality. It can also be a source of revenue through online sales and advertising.

To create a successful website, it is critical to understand how people use them. It is important to provide clear navigation and easy-to-find information. A website should be updated regularly to maintain relevance and credibility.

Whether you are looking to generate leads for your local business online, sell products in an e-commerce store or build an online presence for your brand – a website is the best way to do it. You don’t need in-depth knowledge of how websites work or mad web development skills to get started – Bluehost’s WonderSuite makes it easy to set up, host and manage your site.

The most popular type of website is a blog. Blogs are often devoted to one subject, such as fashion, politics or information technology, and engage with a community of followers who share the same interest. Bloggers choose domain names that reflect their topics and may monetize their sites through affiliate marketing or advertising.

A basic website contains a home page, which acts as a table of contents or index. The home page usually lists the most recently posted articles or content. The website might also include a search box, categories and other useful sections that help visitors find what they need.

To keep readers engaged, a website should have an easy-to-read layout and plenty of white space. It should also be organized into sections and subsections, with the most important information listed first. Many web readers will scan a page to find the information they need, so it is crucial to include visual aids such as charts and graphs. If you are unsure how to structure your website, try drawing up a simple outline to organize ideas into logical parts. Free tools such as Google Docs and Workflowy can help you create an outline.