An Idiots Guide to Websites (& Related Stuff)
So you are thinking of getting a website and you are wondering where to start.
Terms & Explanations
There are so many terms, which mean absolutely nothing to you, might as well be a foreign language. It doesn't help that every time you try to look something up, or ask some questions people ask you more questions than you are asking them. Sure, you are bright enough, but the fact is you don't even understand the question, never mind being able to give the answer.
So let's see what we can do to try and make things make a bit more sense, and provide some "computer geek" to "human - English" translations.
A website (or "site") is just a collection of pages ("web pages") in a folder ("domain"), with a label on the folder ("domain name"). Domain names are sold for a year at a time. It is really no different than a few sheets of paper in a paper file folder. In that context the cover sheet in the folder is the "Home page" of the website, i.e. the first page of the website that you see when you reach the website.
Most pages on a website are "static" which means that they always show the same information, as opposed to "dynamic" which means the information on them can change quickly.
If you look at a paper brochure, the equivalent to this in website terms is a "brochure" website, and it is static. If you were at an airport and you were looking at the flight arrival screen you would see that the information changes every few minutes. In website terms a website which has information like that which changes every few minutes, or based on a selection you make on the site, which results in new lists of data (usually from a database connected to the website) is called a "dynamic" page.
Website Options
So enough of terms. You want a website. If you want a simple website with a few pages of text and some pictures, you can quickly and easily build such a website yourself using an online website builder, such as WRSBuilder. Such online website builders usually also provide a website hosting capability as part of the package. Think of website hosting as a filing cabinet into which you file your folder (website). The file index for the "file folders" in these "filing cabinets" is the "world wide web", in short "www". Most people find their way around the world wide web by means of an internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, are all examples of browsers.)
If you have the technical skills, training, and the time, you can build very nice websites with website design software such as Dreamweaver or Expression Web. In such situations you will likely be called a "website designer". You would then buy space from a website hosting company (such as Raymond Hosting www.raymondhosting.com ) on which to "host" your website.
If you do not have those skills, training and time, and you do not want a "build-it-yourself website, then you have two other options. First you can go back to our WRSBuilder example, and instead of building the website yourself, you can pay someone else to set up most (if not all) of this website for you, (Quick Start Program) for a cost of about US$399. The logic being that your website is pretty straight forward and if you need to add anything else to the website you will do it yourself after it is built. Free technical support is provided to answer your questions and videos are provided to show you how. If you are not comfortable with this approach or the website you need exceeds what is offered under the Quick Start $399 program, then choose the next option.
The second option is that of requesting a quote from a website company such as WRS Web Solutions Inc. You simply fill out the form and the discussion of your requirements begins. The process if free. You will not be charged anything to discuss requirements, and you will not be committed to anything until you receive the website proposal fro the company, and actually clearly agree to it by e-mail. You requirements can be very simple, such as a couple of pages of information about yourself, your company, or organization, or it can be complex such a Human Resources Recruiting website where people can post CVs or Resumes and apply for jobs online, as well as post jobs on line. WRS Web Solutions Inc. offers both solutions, and most everything else in between. These website solutions are juts that, total solutions, they include the website, the domain name, website hosting, and optionally can include e-mail accounts as well. Ongoing maintenance is also available.
Summary
In summary websites are not as complicated as people might make them out to be. It is possible to build them yourself with an online website builder, or have them set up for you, or custom designed for you by a company such as WRS Web Solutions Inc. (For people who are simply looking for website hosting they might want to check out the prices at Raymond Hosting.) Regardless of which route you decide to go, please be sure to know what you want to your website to contain, and what amout of money you are comforatblke spending on your website project.
About the Author
CapeCast: Idiot's guide to bird feeders!
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