Basics

What is a web site?

A web site provides a means to present information on the Internet, like a magazine, newspaper or catalog presents information to people. While a web site can be private, web sites are generally used to convey information for the general public to see and or listen to. A web site can be one page, a few pages, or even hundreds of pages.

What is a web site hosting service?

A web hosting service has computers with huge data storage units (hard drive memory) to allow people to store their web site data. You can store a web site on your home computer, but in order for other people to see and access your web site data, it requires that you leave your computer on and open to the public. Hosting your own web site opens your home computer to problems and viruses, where web hosting services have the resources to better protect your data stored on their computers. In addition, web site hosting services have a large selection of services they offer, such as fast servers, 24/7 access, multiple e-mail accounts, web page design programs, web site statistics, and so much more.

Can I use my Apple Computer to work on my web site?

Probably, most hosting services and site builders are Apple/Mac compatible.

Is a Blog site different from a Website?

Yes and No. A website is more static, like a catalog or monthly magazine. A Blog is flowing and active, generally with weekly, daily, or even multiple daily updates, and might include opinion polls and input from readers. However both are "websites" just different styles and they often combined using both static pages and blog posts.

Do I need a Blog software program?

If this is a question you would ask, then the answer is probably yes. If you are a beginner or intermediate there are Blog software programs and specialized Blog hosting services. More information about Blogs.

The most popular blogging platform is WordPress, but there are many, many more including Google's Blogger.

What is the difference between .com, .org, .biz, .net, etc.?

There is no functional difference between the dot suffixes placed at the end of a URL. The original idea was that .com would be for business, .net was for technology companies, and .org was for organizations and groups, but the best laid plans scenario came to life and the lines were crossed and re-crossed until the dot endings are a blur now. Then the Internet exploded in size and the popular names were all scooped up by businesses and domain name resellers, so new suffixes were added such as .biz and .info.

Now if Tom wants a domain name and TomsAutoShop.com is taken, Tom might could get TomsAutoShop.biz.

List of Dot Extensions:
www.techdictionary.com/domainlist.html#new

Can I have a web site if I don't know HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) for creating a web site?

Yes, most hosting and blog services have an easy fill in the blanks, or drag and drop "site builder" program to help you create a simple web site without any HTML knowledge.

Do I need to buy or download a web hosting service's HTML site builder program?

Generally, no. Most web hosting services have a free 'cloud' site builder program, and you will actually be working on their computer via the Internet.

Are there any free web hosting services?

Yes. There are a couple of free hosting services and some free cloud platforms such as WIX, WordPress.com and Blogger (and many more). The free services often do not allow a unique domain name, but rather a subdomain name such as wix.yourname.com.

There may be a catch for free hosting, but a small one, in exchange for free hosting, you may need to allow them to place ads, for third party companies, on your web site. The hosting service earns income from the advertising and that is how they can offer free hosting. Most free hosting services that place ads on sites will allow people to pay to upgrade their web sites and then they will remove the advertising. The legitimate services do not place any bad advertising on your page, it's all on the up and up.

Some free hosting sites are totally free with no strings attached, their hope is that you will eventually upgrade to a paid web site.

Note: Free hosting may be missing features like a CGI-Bin, FrontPage compatible, Statistics, and more, but they may have the basics you need.

Can I have web site without having a domain name?

Basically, no. All web sites require a domain name, whether business or personal, profit or non-profit. There are some web hosting services, generally free web hosting services, that allow you to be covered under their domain name, so you would have a sub domain name, without having to buy a domain name.

For Example: If the hosting service was named "AFreeHostingService" and your web name is "MyWebSite" then your domain name might be some thing like: mywebsite.afreehostingservice.com.

If I want to study HTML web design, how do I learn?

You can teach yourself, there are plenty of self-help sites on the Internet, or there are courses offered at most colleges.

What if I want to learn advanced web design?

For WordPress and some other platforms there are local Meetup groups that can possibly help you get started.

Most web site work is simple HTML design work, but some web sites need more, especially for forums, and interacting with readers or handling large amounts of data exchange, like a classified or auction type web site. These will require additional programming knowledge such as php, java, perl, etc. and can be self-taught by reading information on the Internet or buying books, but a course at a community or four year college could get you going faster.

Does the Control Panel Matter?

It depends on the type of website you are running, with WordPress and Joomla, not so much. You really only need to access your control panel is you run into an issue, but often your hosting service can help you out.

For serious website designers, a control panel can be the heart of managing a website hosting account.

Basically a control panel is your access to your website's behind the scenes features and options. People like different systems, find one you can work with. Two popular control panels are cPanel and Plesk. Many people find cPanel easy to use, because it uses icons (little images) as well as words on a single page format.