Website for Beginners: What do domain, hosting, DNS, CMS and SSL mean?
how is a website put together?
Talking to a Web designer can be a dizzying experience if you are not familiar with the jargon. After all, it takes a lot before a website can be launched.
This article aims to clarify some of the most common terms and we will do this using the example of building a house.
Date
May 13, 2023
Written by
Nouchka Depotter
Tags
Website, WordPress
1. What is a domain name?
A domain or domain name is the address of your Web site that people type into the URL bar of their browser to visit your Web site. In other words, if a website were a house, a domain name would be the address.
The Internet is basically a giant network of computers connected to each other. To easily identify them, each computer is assigned a series of numbers called IP addresses.
An IP address is a combination of numbers separated by dots. Typically, IP addresses look like the following: 191.0.3.154 Computers have no problem identifying and remembering these numbers. For most people, however, it is impossible to remember and use these numbers to connect to Web sites on the Internet.
To solve this problem, domain names were invented. A domain name can contain words, making it easy to remember Web site addresses. Imagine you would like to buy something from Bol.com. Fortunately, we can just type in bol.com instead of a complicated code.
2. What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that ensures that your website files are stored on a server permanently connected to the Internet. This server allows your website to be accessed by visitors from all over the world.
Website files include everything about your website: code, text, layout, images, etc. These need to be “stored” somewhere for access when someone visits a Web site. This is done by the web host.
It is like the land on which the house will be placed, so in this case where the website actually lives.
All websites on the Internet must have web hosting to exist.
3. What is a DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a system that helps translate domain names into IP addresses. As mentioned earlier, humans can easily remember domain names, while computers only understand IP addresses.
As an example, suppose you want to visit Bol.com’s website. You type “bol.com” into your browser’s URL bar and hit enter. Then your computer sends a request to a DNS server to find bol.com’s IP address. The DNS server looks up this IP address and sends it back to your computer. Now your computer can connect to the server hosting Bol.com’s website, and the website can load.
Even if the website is as good as finished, if the DNS is not properly configured, people will not be able to access the website since they are not yet connected.
A DNS can be compared to your domicile. Suppose you have just moved into your new home. The city wants to send you a letter. If your domicile is not in order yet, they do not know where you live and cannot reach you this way.
4. Different types of website: CMS and HTML
Even if the domain name, web hosting and DNS are in order, the website must also be built, of course. There are two ways to build a website: HTML websites and CMS websites. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, and which one you choose depends on the needs and goals of your Web site.
This, in turn, can be compared to effectively building the house. But how do you do that? First, you need to make some important decisions…. Will prefabricated elements suffice, or are the requirements so specific that you need an architect? And are you skilled enough to build the house yourself, or do you need to hire a construction company?
4.1 HTML websites
An HTML website is a website made up entirely of HTML files. Each individual file contains all the content and formatting for a specific page on the website.
Building an HTML website requires an understanding of web development and knowledge of HTML, CSS and often JavaScript. These types of websites are usually built by web developers, who are proficient in these languages and are able to build a website from scratch using code. It does require some technical skills and experience to do this properly.
However, this comes at a greater cost because the entire website must be written from scratch.
4.2 CMS websites
A CMS (Content Management System) website is a type of website that uses a CMS platform such as WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla to manage content. Unlike a static Web site, a CMS Web site uses a database to store and manage content and pages. This makes adding new content, changing formatting and managing the site easier. A CMS website is therefore ideal for any website that needs regular updating, regardless of its size or complexity.
4.2.1 Website builders
Website builders, such as Squarespace, WIX and Weebly, offer an easier way to set up a website. They provide templates and drag-and-drop tools to edit the content of a Web site. While these tools are useful, using a website builder can quickly cause your website to look dull and generic. This is because many people use the same templates, so your website doesn’t really stand out.
5. What is an SSL?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is what keeps a Web site secure. It is like the security of a house.
SSL keeps Internet connections secure and prevents criminals from reading or modifying information transferred between two systems. If you see a padlock icon in the address bar next to the URL, it means SSL is protecting the website you are visiting.
The easiest way to find out if your website has SSL is to look at your domain. If the prefix is HTTPS, it has an SSL. If it has HTTP this it does not.
6. Conclusion
Domain = Address
Hosting = Location
DNS = Domicile
HTML / CMS = Foundation / construction of the house
SSL = Home security
Building a website involves much more than you might initially think. Are you having a website created by an outside person? Then be sure to ask if all these items are included and if there are any additional fees.
Interested in working with us? Then check out the prices here or contact us.
