Confused About How Websites Actually Work? The Pieces to the Puzzle
Dec 7, 2024
Ever wondered what happens when you type a website address into your browser and press enter?
It seems simple, but a lot goes on behind the scenes. You see a beautiful website appear, filled with information about a business, a product, or even someone’s personal blog. But behind that user-friendly facade lies a complex system of interconnected parts.
Many people know they need a website – it’s practically a necessity in today’s digital world. But most of us are a little fuzzy on how websites actually function. What’s DNS? What does “hosting” even mean?
This lack of understanding can lead to poor decisions when choosing providers, and managing your online presence, ultimately leading to wasted resources. You might end up paying for services you don’t need. Or worse, you might select options that hinder your website’s performance.
In this guide we will break down the core concepts of DNS and web hosting, explaining how they work together to make websites accessible to everyone. We will be demystifying the internet, and exploring the fundamentals in this five part series.
Part 1
DNS - The Internet's Phonebook
Demystifying the Domain Name System and learning how it works.
Think of DNS as the internet's phonebook. Without it, you'd have to remember a string of numbers for every website you want to visit – not exactly user-friendly! So, let's break down what DNS is, how it works, and why it's essential for your online presence.
Part 2
Web Hosting: Where Your Website Lives
Think of web hosting like renting an apartment for your website.
Web hosting is renting space on a server to store all the files that make up your website. These files include everything from your text and images to your code and databases.
Part 3
How DNS and Hosting Work Together: The Complete Picture
Understanding how DNS and hosting work together to bring your website to life..
DNS (Domain Name System) acts like a global GPS system for the internet. It translates your easy-to-remember domain name (like www.example.com) into a numerical IP address (like 192.168.1.1), which is the actual address of the server where your website files are stored.
Part 4
Choosing the Right DNS and Hosting Providers: Practical Advice
How to properly research providers, instead of just picking the first one you see.
Choosing the right DNS and hosting providers is like choosing the right foundation for your house. A solid choice ensures stability, security, and room to grow. But with so many options out there, how do you make the right decision?
Part 5
Basic DNS Management: A Hands-On Introduction
Maintaining a solid understanding of DNS gives you more control over your online presence.
Understanding the basics allows you to make crucial updates and troubleshoot common issues. This section will guide you through accessing your DNS settings, adding and modifying records, and providing some essential troubleshooting tips.