Websites are comprised of one or more web pages (HTML files) that are directed at a specific audience for a specific purpose. Websites are published on a server (provided by a host) so users can access the pages via the World Wide Web. Users access the website by using a URL (Universal Resource Locator) address. The full URL usually includes the server name, the directory path to the files and the file name. The URL can be very long, for example: "http://www.jedweb.bravepages.com/index.html".
Website Domain Names
Web addresses can be shortened by assigning them to an alias (domain name): "http://jed-web.com" that may be purchased from a domain registration service. Domain names are unique for each website and have extensions that control the level of the domain. Domain name levels are .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .us, and .ws. Domain names ending with .com are top level domains with others falling in order behind them. Once a domain name is procured, it must be registered or forwarded to the host URL. Domain names are not expensive but they do need to be re-purchased and re-registered. If you let your domain name expire you can loose them to "Hijackers". See this related article on "Ultsearch".
Purpose of the website
Websites are created for many purposes from allowing family members share photographs to marketing nuclear reactors. The purpose of the website will determine the form and content of the site. During the planning process, it is advisable to make a Purpose Statement to focus the website. Simple information sites may not need any graphics or complex navigation systems. An e-commerce website is one that is trying to market a product over the web and will probably require graphics, links, databases, online forms and other expanded features, such as shopping carts and credit card security.
Know your audience
The user base that the website is directed at is important when planning a page or site. Remember the web is world wide therefore language and cultural differences need to be considered. Websites may be directed at the business world or they may have to appeal to an artistic community. Private Websites are sites that are not promoted for general access by all users of the web. Many businesses have private or secure sites for information exchange between offices around the world and are accessed only by employees of the company. Some families have similar sites to allow exchange of photos to history between family members in different cities.
Website hosting
In addition to an "Internet Service Provider" (to access the web) you will need a "Host" (to store your website on a server) service for your website. Selecting the proper host for your website can be a confusing and frustrating experience. Most large internet service providers offer Internet access and web site hosting services to their members. With most of these services you can upgrade your service to get ad free hosting or more space and bandwidth. There are also commercial hosting services that offer free web hosting. Like ISPs these services have different packages and upgrade options.
Website programming
Website building requires some mechanism for actually creating the program. Most web authors program in HTML using simple editors to create their code. You can learn HTML and other programming languages from tutorials provided on the web. Some hosting services offer wizards to allow novices to create a fairly good looking webpage or site by filling out a web form and selecting a set of graphics. Other programs like Microsoft FrontPage can be used to create the code and assist in publishing your website.
Putting your Website on the Web
After you program your site you must place the HTML pages onto your host server so guests can access your site over the web. Most Hosting services offer a mechanism for uploading your files to the server; just follow the directions provided by the service provider. Another option is to use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to move your files to the server. FTP requires you to use client software to transfer files back-and-forth between two computers over the Internet. The most popular FTP software is WS_FTP Pro available from FTPplanet.com. A shareware, limited edition, version (WS_FTP LE) is also available free to educational users or to non-business home users. Here is a simple tutorial on using FTP to transfer files over the web.
