What Is a Website?
A website is a place on the internet where you can keep information about yourself, your business or topics you’re passionate about. You can also use it to sell products or services, communicate with others or get entertainment. Websites are identified by their unique addresses, called URLs, which web browsers use to find them. They’re accessed by people using computers, tablets or mobile phones that have a web browser and an internet connection. Depending on their classification, websites can be public or private. They can be static or dynamic, and they can contain images, videos, audio recordings and other interactive elements. The information in a website is stored on servers that are connected to the internet round-the-clock. The server can be a single computer or a cluster of servers that are hosted by a hosting provider. The information in a website is made up of web pages that are grouped together and linked by hyperlinks and hypertext. Web pages are digital documents that are written in the HTML language. A website contains many web pages that are arranged in a hierarchical structure, often with a home page and a series of subpages grouped by category or subject. When someone enters a website address into a web browser, the DNS system translates it into an IP address that lets the browser connect to the website’s web server. The server then sends the HTML files and other content to the browser, which displays them on a screen. Some websites are dynamic, meaning they can be updated in real time. For example, a shopping website updates its product listings in response to user actions or changes to stock levels. A news website may be updated throughout the day with current events in politics, sports or entertainment. Other websites are static, presenting pre-defined content that isn’t changed often. This can include company and product information on a five-page brochure website or text and photos on a blog. The most important aspect of a website is its content. It must keep visitors engaged, resulting in longer stays and repeat visits. It is also critical for boosting search engine rankings. The Brain of Brian website is a fun and informative site that illustrates the power of creativity in a website. The colorful graphics, storytelling snippets and witty quotes make this site stand out from the crowd. Forum websites bring people with similar interests together to interact with each other. They can feature timelines, chats or specialized forums. Brown Skin Brunchin is a good example of a forum website that provides an online community for professional minority women. Websites aren’t just for businesses and organizations anymore, they’re also used by individuals to share their passions. Bloggers are able to create their own spaces on the internet and reach an audience that might not be possible in person or through traditional media channels. Some blogs are self-published, while others are published by established publications and broadcasters. In addition, the democratization of website creation tools has made creating a professional website accessible to people with limited technical skills.