Web Design is a lot of fun, if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise it can be time consuming and frustrating. Taking the time to learn the basic principles of this field is very rewarding. In the process, many new opportunities will present themselves.
A Website is a multi-media presentation in a virtual space we call the World Wide Web. We are able to use this space for storing files and folders. The files may or may not have content “written” onto them. Content is constructed of various characters. It is the combination of these that produce Software Programs. These programs will be experienced by the user through a Web Browser or other Web Interface.
A person may possess several skills or just one to participate in the development process. Regardless of your position on the team; there are basics every person involved in web design should know.
- What is a Domain Name, and how do I get one?
- What is a Host?
- What is FTP?
- What is HTML?
What is a Domain Name and how do I get one? A Domain Name (a.k.a. URL – Uniform Resource Locator) is a alpha and/or numeric representation of a computer’s IP Address. An example of a Domain Name is www.YourDomain.com. It is not case sensitive. A maximum of 63 characters (excluding extension) can be used. Any amount can be registered annually for less than twenty dollars each.
What is a Host? A Host is a company that rents space on their computer network usually to store web site files. Hosting is a bit more expensive than registering a domain. You can obtain hosting online for less than twenty dollars a month. There are also free hosting providers available. Larger companies usually host there own sites. In which case it’s usually referred to as the server.
What is FTP? File Transfer Protocol is what’s referred to when the term F-T-P is used. Simply put, it’s a Domain Name that requires a username and password login to view and edit the contents. Usually desktop software is used to access these files. FTP is used as a secure option for access to your host’s computer where your files are stored.
What is HTML? Hyper Text Markup Language is the basic programming language used for Website Design. Even if you are not a programmer, you should understand how HTML work. HTML standards are maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium.
Web Design encompasses several skill set, but a thorough understanding of the basics of domains, hosting, FTP and HTML is important for the best results. Many people think it’s not important to have at least a basic understanding of these principles, but they are wrong. If you intend to be a website owner, then knowing the above will only strengthen your online presence and improve the site’s overall impact.
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