Web Terms Explained - Part 1

This is the first article in a series of 3 aimed at those just starting out in the world of websites and the internet. If you are baffled with the different terms and what they mean, these articles are for you. In this first article I will explain in simple terms what some web development terms mean. To have a website on the internet you need both a domain name and web hosting: - see below:

A Domain Name is an easy to remember address that gets translated by DNS (domain name servers) into the servers IP address. This mean your domain name is the address of where you website is stored. Eg. www.mysite.com. In order to publish your webpage's on the internet you will need a domain name AND web hosting. (see below)

A Host or web hosting is where a computer stores website files which has a web server running on it. You need a web host to be able to have websites published on the internet. You will also need an address (Domain name). There are many different web hosting companies all offering different packages. Fundamentally they are all the same; they sell server space for your website.

Domain Name Registrar is a company accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). You can buy domains from a registrar and some registrars also provide DNS hosting (web hosting) but this is not required as it is often a separate service.

Domain Resellers programs are where anyone can set up a reseller program to sell on domains. Domain resellers buy their domains from an ICANN registrar at trade prices and then sell them on to their customers with the same discount. Many web development companies become resellers so they can sell domains to their customers are discounted prices.

A server is a computer that relays information and handles requests for website data, email, file transfers from other computers. You can turn most computer into servers which means you could host your own website if you were prepared to leave it on all the time. Most people pay a web hosting company to use their servers to host their website.

A Dedicated Server is what some web hosting companies use. There are servers that have 24 hours support and all the latest technology. If your site outgrows its shared server space because of the amount of traffic you are getting then your better off using a company that use dedicated servers. When looking at web host companies see if they use dedicated servers. If they do you know you will get good support and get all the latest upgrades.

HTML which stands for Hypertext Markup Language is the language in which web pages are written. If you look at a website page and view its source (right click and click 'view source') you will see its html.

HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol which is the main protocol used to transfer and receive date over the internet.

An IP Address is a unique number identifying all devices connected to the Internet. IP stands for Internet Protocol Address. Domain names hide the IP address with the www.wordingpart.com.

An ISP stands for Internet Service Provider which is a company that proves members with Internet access. Customers have a username and a password and can dial-up or use a cable or DSL line to connect to ISP's network which is connected to the Internet. Virgin Media and BT Internet are ISP's.

Sub-Domains allows you to set up different sections of your site as a separate domain (E.G. http://somedirectory.yourdomain.com)

In part two of this series of articles I will explain the many different services that come along with web hosting which is needed to publish your websites on the internet.