What Is a Website?
A website is a collection of web pages grouped together, often handled by a person or organisation, which are available to be accessed via the Internet. They deliver information, entertainment or services. A website can be static or interactive, and may contain information ranging from articles to videos.
Websites offer cost-effective and convenient access to information for people worldwide. They break down geographical barriers and allow individuals to share and exchange knowledge and ideas. They also provide a platform for online transactions and businesses, such as Amazon and eBay. They can also provide academic or learning resources, such as Coursera and Khan Academy. Some websites deliver news, current events and articles, such as CNN and The New York Times. They can even be social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.
To view a website, users need devices with web browsers — laptops or smartphones and tablets — and an internet connection. They type the website’s domain name into their browser’s address bar to connect with the webserver that keeps its files. Then the server sends the page contents to their device. To display the site, the browser interprets HTML code that provides the basic appearance, while CSS determines how the pages are displayed.
Content on a website should be well-researched and tailored to its target audience. It should be organised with headings and subheadings, allowing readers to navigate through the content easily. Images and graphics should be visually appealing, relevant to the content and optimised for web use to prevent slow loading times. Alt text should be provided for all images and graphics, allowing search engines to index them. Video is a powerful tool to engage and inform visitors, but it must be of high quality, relevant and optimised for web streaming. Interactive elements like forms, buttons and navigation menus can boost user experience and improve site performance.
The homepage is the initial landing page that visitors encounter when they enter a website’s domain name into their web browser. It sets the tone for the site’s content and navigation, and must include critical elements like a hero section with eye-catching visuals and concise messaging about the site’s purpose.
A blog is a popular way for entrepreneurs and small business owners to share their thoughts and expertise on their passions. It can also help them attract a wider audience and build brand awareness.
To maximise the benefits of a blog, it is important to keep it updated regularly with fresh and engaging content. Outdated web content confuses users and degrades their trust in the information they are reading. It’s also important to link to relevant and authoritative sources to support claims in blog posts. In addition, it is helpful to link to other blogs in the same niche and industry. For example, a blog about jQuery or CSS should link to related blogs, such as the home pages of those technologies. This will enable readers to get more context and further their learning.
