Originally posted on July 9, 2023 @ 3:54 am

As a business owner that’s constantly overwhelmed, how do you stay on top of how your website works? Understanding how the Internet works is essential to finding success managing a digital business. In this article, I’ll guide you through a simple explanation.

1. Let’s say your on your cell-phone. You type “name.com” into the URL bar and a request is sent to your internet service provider (ISP).
2. From there, your ISP tries to find the “name” server, which matches the URL with a string of numbers called an IP address, an address for a server.

Note!  As a business owner, you need to understand the significance of the domain name registrar.  You need to be sure you own your own domain. It’s like signing the lease on your business storefront. Your domain name registrar service is not the same thing as the server that is hosting your website, but they can sometimes overlap. Some registrar services will host your website as well. Make sure that you own both, failing to establish ownership over your domain can set you up for problems down the line.

3. Once your request has reached the server, it is routed through code written in a server-side programming language such as PHP.

Note! If you’re working with a service like wordpress, the website hosting and the code may come wrapped together. In this case, you’re getting a website that your hosting on a server. The service handles both the code that defines your website’s theme and the server that hosts your website online.

4. From there, the server sends a response: a packet of HTML, javascript, or other content.
5. The browser on your phone parses the information and presents it to the user.

In a nutshell, that’s how the Internet works! Understanding these little details will pay off in the future as you scale up your digital brand.

How a Website Works Step by Step:

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how websites work! In this article, we will take you through the entire process, step by step, so you can gain a deep understanding of how websites function. Whether you’re a curious novice or aspiring web developer, this article will provide you with valuable insights into the world of web development.

Understanding the Basics of a Website

Before we dive into the technical aspects, let’s start by clarifying what exactly a website is. A website is a collection of interconnected web pages that are accessed through the internet. These web pages typically contain a variety of content, including text, images, videos, and interactive elements.

Now, let’s explore the concept of a website in more detail. Imagine you are walking down a busy street in a bustling city. As you stroll along, you come across various storefronts, each offering a unique experience. Some display eye-catching advertisements, while others showcase their products in creative ways. These storefronts serve as a window into the world of the businesses they represent, enticing passersby to step inside and explore further.

What is a Website?

At its core, a website is essentially a digital storefront, an online presence that represents an individual, a business, an organization, or any other entity. It serves as a platform for sharing information, conducting transactions, or simply expressing ideas.

Just like a physical storefront, a website is designed to attract visitors and provide them with a seamless experience. It is a virtual space where ideas come to life, where businesses can showcase their products and services, and where individuals can express themselves to a global audience.

Key Components of a Website

Every website consists of several fundamental components that work together to create a cohesive and functional online experience. These components can be likened to the various elements that make up a well-designed storefront.

1. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): This is the backbone of a website and defines its structure and content. HTML acts as the blueprint for the website, determining how the different elements are organized and presented to the visitors. It provides the foundation upon which the entire website is built, much like the framework of a physical storefront.
2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): CSS is responsible for the visual presentation and layout of a website. It adds style, color, and aesthetic appeal to the web pages, making them visually appealing and engaging. CSS can be compared to the interior design of a storefront, where the colors, textures, and decorations create a welcoming atmosphere.
3. JavaScript: JavaScript enhances the user experience by adding interactivity and dynamic elements to web pages. It allows websites to respond to user actions, such as clicking on buttons or scrolling through content. JavaScript can be thought of as the interactive features of a storefront, such as touch screens or interactive displays, that engage and captivate visitors.

These three components, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, work together harmoniously to create a website that is both functional and visually appealing. They form the building blocks upon which web developers and designers construct the digital storefronts of the online world.

Step-by-Step Guide to How a Website Works

Now that we have a general understanding of what a website is, let’s explore the step-by-step process of how a website works.

But before we dive into the details, let’s take a moment to appreciate the complexity and beauty of the modern web. Websites have come a long way since the early days of the internet. Today, they are not only a means of sharing information but also a platform for e-commerce, social interaction, entertainment, and much more. Understanding how a website works will give you a deeper appreciation for the technology that powers our digital lives.

Step 1: User Requests a Website

It all begins when a user enters a website’s URL or clicks on a link leading to a specific site. This seemingly simple action sets in motion a series of events that happen behind the scenes.

Imagine you are sitting at your computer, sipping a cup of coffee, and decide to visit your favorite news website. You type in the URL or click on a bookmark, and in an instant, your request is sent from your browser to a server that hosts the website.

Now, let’s take a moment to explore what happens next.

Step 2: Server Processes the Request

Upon receiving the user’s request, the server springs into action. It analyzes the URL to determine which website the user wants to visit and which files and data are needed to fulfill the request.

Behind the scenes, the server may need to access databases to retrieve the latest news articles, fetch image files from a storage system, or generate dynamic content based on the user’s preferences. This process can involve complex algorithms, database queries, and server-side scripting languages like PHP or Python.

Once the server has gathered all the necessary files and data, it prepares to send them back to the user’s browser. But how does it do that?

Step 3: Server Sends Data to the Browser

The server packages up the requested files and data and sends them back to the user’s browser. This data typically includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript files, and any other relevant assets needed to render the website correctly.

Think of this data as a set of instructions for the browser. The HTML file provides the structure and content of the website, while the CSS file specifies the styles and layout. The JavaScript file adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to the website.

As the data travels across the internet, it passes through various network routers and switches, each playing a role in delivering the information to its destination. This intricate dance of data transfer happens in a matter of milliseconds, thanks to the robust infrastructure that underpins the internet.

Step 4: Browser Displays the Website

Now comes the moment of truth. The user’s browser receives the data and begins to interpret it. It follows the instructions provided in the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to render the website.

The browser first parses the HTML file, creating a Document Object Model (DOM) that represents the structure of the website. It then applies the CSS styles to each element, determining their visual appearance and layout on the page. Finally, it executes any JavaScript code, enabling interactivity and dynamic updates.

As the browser works its magic, the website gradually takes shape on the user’s screen. Images load, text appears, and buttons become clickable. The user can now navigate the website, click on links, submit forms, and interact with various elements.

Behind the scenes, the browser communicates with the server, exchanging data as needed. This allows the user to perform actions like submitting a form, which triggers a new request to the server, starting the whole process all over again.

And that, in a nutshell, is how a website works. From the user’s initial request to the final display of the website, a complex web of technologies and processes collaborates seamlessly to deliver the digital experiences we have come to rely on.

So, the next time you visit a website, take a moment to appreciate the intricate dance happening behind the scenes. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and the power of technology.

Diving Deeper: The Role of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Now that we have covered the basic steps of how a website works, let’s take a closer look at the individual roles of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Understanding HTML

HTML, which stands for HyperText Markup Language, is the foundation of every website. It provides the structure and semantics of a webpage, defining elements such as headings, paragraphs, images, and links. HTML tags give meaning to the content and allow browsers to interpret it correctly.

When you open a webpage, the browser reads the HTML code and renders it according to the instructions provided. HTML is a markup language that uses tags to define the structure of a document. These tags can be thought of as containers that hold different types of content. For example, the <h1> tag is used for headings, while the <p> tag is used for paragraphs.

HTML also allows you to include other types of media, such as images and videos, using specific tags. By using these tags, you can create a visually appealing and interactive website that engages your audience.

The Role of CSS in Web Design

CSS, which stands for Cascading Style Sheets, is responsible for the visual presentation of a website. It allows developers to define colors, fonts, layouts, and other stylistic aspects. By separating the content from its appearance, CSS enables consistent design across multiple pages and devices.

With CSS, you can customize the look and feel of your website to match your brand or personal preferences. You can change the font styles, adjust the spacing between elements, and even create animations and transitions. CSS provides the flexibility to create visually stunning websites that capture the attention of your visitors.

One of the key advantages of CSS is its ability to apply styles to multiple elements at once. By using classes and IDs, you can target specific elements and apply styles to them. This makes it easier to maintain and update the design of your website, as you can make changes in one place and have them reflected throughout your entire site.

How JavaScript Enhances User Experience

JavaScript is a powerful programming language that enhances the interactivity and dynamic behavior of websites. It allows developers to create functionality such as form validation, sliders, animations, and even complex web applications. JavaScript enhances the overall user experience by providing seamless interactions.

When a webpage loads, JavaScript code can be executed to perform various tasks. For example, you can use JavaScript to validate user input in a form before submitting it to the server. You can also use JavaScript to create interactive elements, such as image sliders or dropdown menus, that respond to user actions.

JavaScript is widely used in web development because of its versatility and compatibility with different browsers. It has a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks that make it easier to build complex web applications. With JavaScript, you can create engaging and interactive websites that keep your visitors coming back for more.

In conclusion, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript each play a crucial role in web development. HTML provides the structure and semantics of a webpage, CSS defines the visual presentation, and JavaScript enhances the interactivity. By understanding the individual roles of these three technologies, you can create websites that are both visually appealing and functionally rich.

The Importance of Web Hosting and Domain Names

Now that we have covered the technical aspects of how a website works, let’s shift our focus to the infrastructure that underpins it: web hosting and domain names.

When it comes to creating a website, web hosting and domain names play a crucial role in ensuring its accessibility and functionality. Without these two components, the website would not be able to reach its intended audience and fulfill its purpose.

What is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is the service that makes websites accessible on the internet. In simple terms, it involves storing website files and data on servers that are connected to the internet. These servers act as the foundation for your website, allowing it to be accessible to users worldwide.

Web hosting providers offer different plans and options to accommodate varying needs. Whether you are a small business owner, a blogger, or a large corporation, there is a web hosting solution that can meet your requirements. From shared hosting, where multiple websites share resources on a single server, to dedicated hosting, where an entire server is dedicated solely to your website, the options are vast and varied.

Choosing the right web hosting provider and plan is essential for the success of your website. Factors to consider include reliability, security, scalability, and customer support. A reliable web hosting provider ensures that your website remains online and accessible to visitors at all times. Security measures such as firewalls, regular backups, and SSL certificates protect your website and its data from potential threats. Scalability allows your website to handle increased traffic and accommodate future growth. Lastly, responsive customer support ensures that any technical issues or concerns are promptly addressed.

The Role of Domain Names in Website Functioning

Domain names are the unique addresses that users enter in their browsers to access a website. They serve as a more human-friendly alternative to IP addresses, which are the actual numerical identifiers of servers. Domain names provide brand identity and help users find and remember websites more easily.

Choosing a Domain Name

When choosing a domain name, it is important to select one that reflects your brand or website’s purpose. A memorable and descriptive domain name can significantly impact your website’s visibility and success. It is advisable to choose a domain name that is easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. Additionally, consider using keywords relevant to your industry or niche to improve search engine optimization (SEO).

Domain names are registered through domain registrars, which are companies authorized to manage and sell domain names. It is important to choose a reputable domain registrar to ensure that your domain name is secure and properly managed. Some popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.

Domain Name System Configuration

Once you have registered a domain name, it needs to be connected to your web hosting provider. This process, known as DNS (Domain Name System) configuration, allows users to access your website by typing in your domain name in their browsers. DNS configuration involves linking your domain name to the IP address of your web hosting server, ensuring that when someone enters your domain name, they are directed to the correct server and your website is displayed.

In conclusion, web hosting and domain names are essential components of any website. Web hosting provides the infrastructure and technology necessary for your website to be accessible on the internet, while domain names serve as the unique addresses that users enter to access your website. By understanding the importance of web hosting and domain names, you can make informed decisions that contribute to the success and functionality of your website.

How Search Engines Interact with Websites

Search engines play a vital role in how websites are discovered and accessed by users. Understanding their interaction is crucial for website owners and developers.

When a user searches for something on a search engine, such as Google or Bing, the search engine’s algorithms go to work to provide the most relevant and useful results. But how do search engines know which websites to show and in what order?

The Role of SEO in Website Visibility

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing websites to improve their visibility in search engine results. By following SEO best practices, website owners increase the chances of their sites appearing higher in search rankings, thereby driving more organic traffic.

SEO involves various techniques, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building. When website owners implement these strategies effectively, they send signals to search engines that their website is valuable and relevant to specific search queries.

For example, if a website sells organic skincare products, they would want to optimize their website for keywords related to organic skincare, such as “natural skincare,” “chemical-free skincare,” or “organic beauty products.” By strategically placing these keywords in their website’s content, meta tags, and URLs, the website owner increases the likelihood of their site ranking higher when users search for those terms.

Additionally, search engines consider other factors when determining website visibility, such as the website’s loading speed, mobile-friendliness, and user experience. Websites that provide a seamless and enjoyable browsing experience are more likely to rank higher in search results.

How Search Engines Index Websites

Search engines use robots, also known as web crawlers, to discover and index web pages. These robots follow links from one page to another, collecting information about the content and structure of websites. The indexed data is then used to provide relevant search results to users.

Web crawlers start by visiting popular websites and following the links on those pages to discover new content. They analyze the text, images, and other elements on a webpage to understand its topic and relevance. This information is then stored in the search engine’s index, which is a massive database of web pages.

When a user performs a search, the search engine quickly retrieves relevant pages from its index and ranks them based on various factors, such as relevance, authority, and user experience. The goal is to provide the most accurate and helpful results to the user’s query.

It’s important for website owners to ensure that their web pages are accessible to search engine crawlers. This can be achieved by creating a sitemap, which is a file that lists all the pages on a website, making it easier for crawlers to navigate and index the site’s content.

Furthermore, website owners can also use tools like Google Search Console to monitor how their site is being crawled and indexed by search engines. This allows them to identify and fix any issues that may prevent their website from being properly indexed and displayed in search results.

In conclusion, search engines play a crucial role in how websites are discovered and accessed by users. By understanding the role of SEO and how search engines index websites, website owners and developers can optimize their sites to improve visibility and attract more organic traffic.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Website Problems

Despite their complexity, websites can encounter various issues that hinder their performance. Here we address some common problems and provide troubleshooting tips.

Dealing with Slow Website Loading Times

Slow loading times can frustrate users and negatively impact their experience. Optimizing website performance by compressing images, minimizing code, and leveraging caching techniques can significantly improve loading times.

Troubleshooting Common Server Errors

Server errors can disrupt the functionality of a website. Understanding common error codes, such as 404 (Page Not Found) or 500 (Internal Server Error), can help diagnose and resolve issues effectively.

Conclusion: The Complex Simplicity of Websites

In conclusion, websites may appear simple on the surface, but their inner workings involve a complex orchestration of technologies, processes, and infrastructure. By understanding the step-by-step process, the role of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as the importance of web hosting, domain names, and search engine interaction, you can gain a deeper appreciation of the fascinating world of web development. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the future of web development, paving the way for even more innovation and possibilities.

Recap of How a Website Works

To recap, a website functions through the following steps:

1. A user requests a website by entering the URL or clicking a link.
2. A server processes the request and retrieves the necessary files and data.
3. The server sends the data back to the user’s browser.
4. The browser interprets the data and displays the website.

The Future of Web Development

As we look to the future, web development will continue to evolve with emerging technologies and user expectations. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, the possibilities are endless. The key is to adapt and embrace these advancements, always striving to create seamless and engaging user experiences.

Transcript:

[00:02] Hey, this is Shaheen over at Web Upon and this is episode number seven of Chalk Talk Thursday. Today I want to cover how websites work. This is actually a super common question that I get all the time, and I think especially for business owners that are busy with everything else they’re doing, its hard to stay on top of all the little minute things that go into a website and what exactly is happening. I’m going to explain those, so you understand how it works, and emphasize the key areas that every business owner should be aware of when it comes to actually owning their site and making sure that their developer isn’t going to be in a position where they have undue leverage upon you.

[00:38] Starting off from your cellphone, when you type something in, it’s going to go over to your ISP, this can be any internet service provider like Comcast, or Cox, or Netlink. I looked and there’s hundreds of them in the US, but there’s probably about a dozen. These are the people that are delivering internet to you directly. From there, let’s say you type in name.com, it’s going to go off and basically try to find something called a name server. What the name server does is matches this letter, this word that you can understand, name.com or whatever it may be, with a string of numbers that’s actually the address for a server.

[01:18] Now, the thing I really, really want to emphasize here, and this is again something that every business owner should understand is that, there is something called a domain name registrar. And this is something that you as the business owner really, really want to own. You want to own your domain name. Occasionally, developers will buy the domain name for you just because they’re trying to help you out. Some of them are more nefarious about it, but the thing to understand is, you really, really want to own your name. It’s like you signed the lease on your actual business storefront. You want to own the name. What this is, is a domain registrar.

[01:55] Now, domain registrars are separate from servers. The server is the actual host, that’s the data server that you’re paying for. Some common hosts in the US are GoDaddy, you may have heard that name before, or DreamHost, I love using WPX host. So there’s tons of hosts out there. And what they do is maintain the server space. Now the thing to keep in mind is that these two things, the registrar and the host can be separate, but they can also be the same thing. So you can have your name registered with a separate service and you can have it hosted on a separate service.

[02:32] Often with GoDaddy installations, I find people who have registered their name there and they’re also hosting it at GoDaddy. But in both cases, you as the business owner want to make sure that you’re paying for, and you own your hosting, and you want to make sure that you paid for when you own your domain registration. You don’t want to hit a situation where a couple of years into your business growth, you come upon a day and suddenly your website’s down, and it’s down because you haven’t renewed your domain name or your actual hosting has gone down because you haven’t paid for it, anything like that. So it’s very important to remember that. Once it’s at the actual server, it gets routed through some code. This could be PHP or any number of other languages that are able to operate on the server.

[03:14] And what this code does is sends information out in html, JavaScript, it sends you the pictures, all these things you’re probably familiar with. Now, the thing to keep in mind here is that when it comes to the server code, this can also basically be functioning on a service that wraps the hosting in with the code. So if you’re using WordPress, you’re basically getting a code set that you’re hosting on a server. Let’s say you have a WordPress website, you may have paid for someone to get you a WordPress setup, you may have paid for a theme, that’s all code focused. Now, you may also be paying for hosting for that same WordPress website, so you paid for the theme, you paid for the WordPress development and it’s sitting on a server, and then you also may have independently paid for a registrar for your domain name.

[04:00] It can also be the case that you paid for a name, you’re also hosting with the same company that’s your domain registrar, and you also just use one of their site builder or something like that, but that’s something that I think every business owner should really be aware of. I often encounter a lot of confusion around what a domain name registrar is and what an actual host is. So there are some services that are basically combining the code and the actual servers all into one package, so you’re also paying for that. Something like that could be Shopify, or BigCommerce is great one also it does this, Volusion does this but they’re terrible as an SEO. I’m just going to throw that in there. Don’t go with Volusion. Magento can also be grouped into here, but I wouldn’t recommend them either.

[04:45] So basically with these services, you’re paying for the code package and there handling all the server hosting functions for you. They may also offer to register your domain name. I of course would always just being the paranoid developer that I am, separately register my domain name so I own it from any other services. And then that way you’re basically secure no matter what happens. And that’s a good place to be for any business owner, especially when you’re investing a lot of time and money into your brand name and into your business growth.

[05:13] So you have these stacks of code that are operating on servers and what they’re serving on html and pictures and JavaScript. And then at the end there, what’s happening is that a browser is parsing this information which is going to give you your nice little Emoji on the very, very end of this entire circle here. The browsers can be anything like Safari, or Chrome, Firefox. So all of these things are browsers, and what browsers do is basically parse these html and pictures and Java scripts, so you can see it all nicely on your phone or your desktop at the end of the day. And yeah, that’s how websites work.