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Web Site ABCs

Below are some answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) you might have about web sites, terms and technology.

What is the difference between a web page and a web site?

A web page is one section, link, category, part, of the entire entity, which is the web site. Many designers charge by the page and people get confused that it’s the number of printed pages. It is the “title” of that particular section. A web site can be one page. Using the example of this web site, above you see buttons. When you click on one, it takes you to that page with the specified information. Each one of those buttons indicates a page. This particular section on Web Site ABCs, is a page. If you were to print the information, it would be on multiple sheets of paper.

What is a domain name?

A domain name establishes the identity of your web site. It usually is some description of your business and/or descripter of the web site, that reflects your “domain.” Your domain name should be somewhat obvious and recognizable. It appears in the form: http://www.yourdomainname.com. For instance, CNN's web site name is http://www.cnn.com. That tells you that web site is about CNN. There are many registrars on the web with whom you can register a domain name. Costs are per year and, while prices vary, it is till inexpensive.

What are my alternatives if I don’t want a domain name?

Your e-mail company or ISP (Internet Service Provider) may provide some limited space for a web site as part of your monthly fee. Your web address is tied in with the ISP address so you wind up with a long and sometimes odd names that lack the professionalism you want associated with your business. For example, if you use AOL and you have a “cute” screename of "pretty flower,” then your web site address would be http://members.aol.com/prettyflower. If your business is construction, a potential customer can’t tell that by pretty flower. You can’t have a domain name attached to that address. When the cost of a domain name can run from under $10 to $35 a year, the investment is worth it to have your own special identification. You can search for a registrar on your own or a web designer may have a favorite registrar they like to use.

What is a host (server)?

The letters “www” in the http://www.yourdomainname.com stands for world wide web. This means anyone in the world that has a computer and Internet connection can access your web site. In order to do so, the site must be “hosted” somewhere, on a “server.” This is like a large computer. As part of registering a domain name, the name of the host server/company, also known as DNS (domain name server) is entered so the domain name can be “pointed” there. This is usally in the form of NSNameServer1.COM. There is a primary name server, secondary name server and sometimes a tertiary name server. There is also a corresponding numbered address known as IP (Internet Protocol) address like 123.12.134.123. Some large web site design firms may run their own servers. Others may have a host company they work with. User names and passwords are provided so the web site files can be uploaded or FTP (file transfer protocol) to the server. This is usually handled by the designer. You pay a monthly fee for the space for hosting of the site.

What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It is the main coding language for building web sites.

What are .com, .org, .net, .us?

The letters after the dot are extensions. They can help identify the type of site you have or the location of the business. The letters .com usually indicate a commercial, business site; .org an organization, a .net is like a network, a site that doesn’t fit the other categories. These three are the most common extensions. The .us indicates the business is located in the United States. This is a relatively new one for the United States. Foreign country sites usually have an abbreviation of its name as an extension. Other higher-level domains are .biz (business); .info (information); .tv (TV site); .edu (education);

What is e-commerce?

E-commerce is the process of selling products -- transacting commerce -- from your web site. There are many things you need to know before you enter this sphere: merchant accounts; SSL (secure socket layer); security; per transaction fees; discount rates and more. See the
e-commerce page.

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