Aftershock Blog
Glossary of Main Web Design Terminology
14/5/2012
It's easy to get lost in all the technical jargon that makes up the World Wide Web. We thought we'd share the first part in a easy, layman's description of web terminology to help you understand what's what.
In this post we explain the big basics of a website. What is Web Hosting, a Domain and an SSL certificate. Read on...
Web Hosting
When you make a website and want other people to see it, you will need to publish (or upload) it to a web hosting service.
Web hosting services work by providing high-powered computers (web servers in secured data centres) with a high-speed network for your website to live on. When someone types in your web address (such as www.aftershock.com.au) they will be connected to your web server where they can browse your website.
Web hosting for smaller customers can also include email hosting where emails sent to you are stored prior to a 'send and receive' to check for new emails.
Domain Names
Each computer connected to the Internet has a unique IP address (IP = Internet Protocol). The IP address consists of four sets of numbers, for example, 195.234.53.199. To be able to connect to any given computer via the Internet you need to know its IP address, but because numbers are hard to remember domain names are used instead.
The domain name system (DNS) then automatically 'translates´ the domain name you entered into your browser into the correct IP address.
Plus a domain name is much easier to remember and helps to find you on the internet.
SSL
An acronym for Secure Sockets Layer, SSL creates an encrypted connection between your web server and your visitors' web browser allowing for private information to be transmitted without the problems of eavesdropping, data tampering, or message forgery.
If you are transmitting sensitive information on a web site, such as credit card numbers or personal information, you need to secure it with SSL encryption. It is possible for every piece of data to be seen by others unless it is secured by an SSL certificate.
Confused by a web (or IT) term? Contact us via email and we'll happily help explain it for you.