Home, Home on the Web
I am often asked about a range of techno-terms, but the most common questions have to do with just how does the whole Web site thing work? What is a host, for instance, or a TLD, or a domain name?
Hopefully I can answer some of those questions here.
There are three main parts to a Web site. To simplify matters, think of these parts as if you were buying a home. In order for you to find the property, for others to find you, and for you to receive your mail, there has to be a way to find your location. From that perspective, your home consists of these main parts: The postal/street address, the land, and the house.
Most people actually pick out their street address (domain name) before finding the land (hosting), and for very good reasons.
1.) The Domain Name: Your Street Address on the Web
The domain name is your Web site name, and it's just like a street address on the World Wide Web. In order to allow people to find you on the Web, you need to have a valid address. Typically, this address looks something like this: www.mycompany.com.
Your domain name can be and usually is used for both your Web site and your E-mail. This is not a requirement, however. You can, for instance, have an E-mail address such as me@mycompany.com without ever having a Web site. You could also have a Web site with no E-mail addresses associated with it. Most companies do both.
In order to obtain a domain name, you must register it. You register a domain name through a registrar. Note that registering a domain name does not mean that you own the domain name, merely that you are leasing it. eye 4 image strongly recommends that you use a U.S.-based registrar, and if at all possible, one of the following Top Level Domains (TLD):
- .COM
- .BIZ
- .ORG
- .NET
- .INFO
Other TLDs are available, but there may be hidden risks associated with them, since most of them are handled through a single provider that is often located in another country. Some of these TLDs are presented as something other than they are. For instance:
- .TV is not a TLD for 'TeleVision', but for the country of Tuvalu
- .WS is not a TLD for 'Web Site', but for the country of Western Samoa
- .MN is not a TLD for 'Minnesota, but for the country of Mongolia
Once you create an account with your registrar you will be assigned a user id and will choose or be assigned a password. Save this information along with the Web site address to go to update your information. You will need this if you wish to renew your domain name or change your hosting provider.
When you are registering your domain name, you may do so for different periods of time. Many registrars offer a discount for longer periods, but even shorter periods should be no more that $15 per year to register. If you cannot find a good provider, eye 4 image is an authorized provider of this service.
To register your domain name, you will need to know the Domain Name Server (DNS) address of your hosting provider (see below). If you already have a hosting provider you can enter their DNS pointer information when you create your domain name account with your registrar.
2.) Domain Hosting/Web Site Hosting: Finding the Land
Following our real estate analogy, hosting correlates to the land. Unlike real estate, however, you can move your home from one piece of land to another and still keep the same address. How cool is that?
A host is a set of computers that enable your Web site and/or your E-mail to be accessible by the Internet. Many companies offer hosting, and often do so with a bewildering array of options and techno-speak. For most We sites, you will never need the vast amounts of options that are usually offered, and the huge amounts of space they provide, so don't let most of the offerings confuse you. In all probability, you can survive with 100 MB of storage space (many sites need less than 5 MB) and a small bandwidth. Finding a Unix or Linux-based host is often an advantage and is less expensive as well. Beyond that, you may wish to consult with your developer.
When you choose your host, you will be given a set of pointers, called Domain Name Servers, or DNS. Some people also refer to this as 'name servers' or 'DNS pointers'. When you set up your domain name you should have received this information from your hosting provider. This is basically the address of your housing development, or host. If you think of it as a gated community where all visitors have to check in with the host, you'll be close. On the Internet, everyone has to come into your DNS housing development, where they are then directed to your house.
If at any time you want to change to a different hosting company, you will need to change those pointers. The first step is to identify your new hosting company, set up an account with them, and get their DNS pointer information. You can then return to your registrar to change your domain name pointers to point to the new address.
3.) Building My House: The Web Site
There are many different aspects here, but I'll keep it short and simple: Your Web site should reflect your tastes, your goals, and your budget, just as your house should. While it is sometimes good to upscale a little bit to give a good impression, it may not be if it turns out to be a bad neighborhood.
As with homes the world over, you can design your own unique Web site, customize one that you've found, or follow the cookie-cutter approach. Just as with homes, the choice you make often reflects your circumstance. Is this a starter home? Then you may want the least expensive option that gets the job done. Is it time to upgrade or do you want something a bit more distinctive? Then maybe you want to go up a step to something a little different and maybe put up an addition as well. Or maybe you know exactly what you want and you need something that stands out from the crowd.
Whatever your circumstance, target your Web site to reflect your situation. Don't overextend yourself for that glamorous manor when you're just getting started, and don't choose a rundown fixer-up when you want to make a solid positive impression.
Well, there you have it, a short summary of the Internet housing market. Of course, just as most people wouldn't choose to build their own house or develop the land, you may want to find a great general contractor to develop or at least advise you on your new home location and design, but that's up to you.
Regardless, enjoy your new home on the Web for many years to come!
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