What Is a Website?
A website is a collection of interlinked web pages managed by an individual or group that delivers information, entertainment or services over the Internet. It uses technologies like Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to format and present information and to provide navigational facilities that allow a user to move between related pages within the site or around the web. It resides on servers that are connected to the Internet and can be accessed by worldwide users 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Websites can be built for any purpose, from personal blogs and hobby sites to e-commerce stores. Businesses typically use websites as their primary means of connecting with customers, offering product and service information and enabling online transactions.
Having a website also builds credibility for your business. It tells potential customers that you’re a legitimate, professionally run business with an address and email, which can give them confidence that they can trust you with their money. This can be particularly important for small businesses that do not have brick-and-mortar locations.
A website also allows people to connect with you from anywhere in the world, which can be helpful for a global company. This can be useful for companies with out-of-town offices or for a retail store that sells its products in multiple countries.
Content is the heart of a website, and it includes text, images and videos that convey information and engage visitors. It should be well-researched and informative, and aligned with the website’s goals and target audience. It should be easy to read, with headlines and subheadings that make it clear what each section is about. It should be optimised for web use to reduce loading times, and include alt text for images and video that describes them.
Websites also have interactive elements that allow people to participate in activities like streaming, downloading and selling items. These types of websites often need special server software and databases that can handle large amounts of data and serve it quickly to users.
Most websites are created using a content management system like WordPress, which offers a user-friendly interface that enables non-technical people to build and manage their own sites without any advanced coding knowledge. Other popular options include Squarespace and Wix, which also offer user-friendly platforms to create professional looking websites.
