When it comes to creating and managing a website, there are several key terms and concepts that every client should understand in order to make informed decisions. From web hosting to SSL certificates and domains, these elements play a crucial role in the success of a website. In this article, we’ll break down some of the most important terms and concepts so that you can make the best choices for your online presence.
Web Hosting:
Web hosting refers to the service that provides the server space for your website. It’s essentially the place where your website lives on the internet. When you choose a web hosting provider, you’ll be renting server space from them so that your website can be accessible to the world.
There are different types of web hosting services, including shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and virtual private servers (VPS), each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. When choosing a web hosting provider, it’s important to consider factors such as the amount of traffic your website is expected to receive, the resources you need to run your website, and your budget.
E-Mail Services:
With your domain comes the ability to have a personalized email address, which looks more professional. While there are many options, in our experience it boils down to 3 options: Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), Microsoft 365 and using your websites's server for email hosting.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based email service that provides businesses and individuals with a comprehensive set of tools for email, collaboration, and productivity. With Microsoft 365 email services, users can access their email from anywhere with an internet connection and benefit from features such as calendar sharing, custom domain support, and robust spam protection. The service integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to provide a seamless user experience. Microsoft 365 email also includes 50 GB of storage per user and the ability to send attachments up to 150 MB in size, making it a powerful solution for businesses of any size. Additionally, Microsoft 365 offers various security measures such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and advanced threat protection, ensuring the safety and security of users' data.
Google Workspace
G Suite is a cloud-based productivity suite offered by Google that provides businesses and organizations with a range of tools for communication and collaboration. G Suite's email services offer users custom email addresses using their own domain name, as well as integration with other G Suite apps like Google Drive, Calendar, and Hangouts. With G Suite's email, users can access their email from anywhere with an internet connection and enjoy features such as spam protection, unlimited storage, and the ability to send attachments up to 50 MB in size. The email service also offers robust security features, including two-step verification and encryption, ensuring the protection of users' sensitive data. G Suite's email services are scalable and can be customized to meet the specific needs of any organization, making it a flexible solution for businesses of all sizes.
Hosting your own with cPanel
Many web hosting providers include cPanel as part of their hosting packages. This software provides an easy-to-use interface for managing email accounts on your website's server. The best part is that since it's included in your hosting plan, you can create email accounts without any additional costs. The only limitation is the amount of storage space available on your web server or hosting account. In conclusion, cPanel is not only user-friendly but also comes at no extra charge.
SSL Certificates:
SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is a type of security protocol that encrypts data being sent between a website and a user’s browser. This helps to ensure that sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, are kept confidential.
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that verifies the identity of a website and enables SSL encryption. When you visit a website with an SSL certificate, you’ll typically see a padlock icon in the address bar of your browser, and the URL will begin with “https” instead of “http”.
Having an SSL certificate is important not only for protecting sensitive information, but also for improving the search engine optimization (SEO) of your website. Google has stated that websites with SSL certificates may receive a slight ranking boost, so it’s a good idea to invest in one if you want your website to rank well in search engine results.
Domains:
A domain is the address or URL of your website on the internet. It’s the name that people type into their browser to access your website, such as “www.example.com”.
When choosing a domain, it’s important to consider factors such as how memorable it is, how easily it can be typed, and whether or not it’s available. You can register a domain through a domain registrar, which is a company that specializes in registering and managing domain names.
Content Management Systems (CMS):
A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application that allows users to create, manage, and publish digital content, typically for websites, without the need for technical expertise. A CMS provides an intuitive interface for adding, editing, and organizing content, such as text, images, videos, and more. At Unlimited Studios we develop custom Content Management Systems for our clients.
A custom CMS can be beneficial to a business because it offers complete control over the design, features, and functionality of the website. A custom CMS can be tailored to the specific needs of the business, allowing for more efficient and effective management of content. Additionally, a custom CMS can be designed with scalability in mind, making it easier to expand and improve the website as the business grows.
A custom CMS can provide a more tailored, flexible, and secure solution for a business compared to an open source CMS like WordPress. A custom CMS can provide a long-term solution for the specific needs of the business.
Responsive Design:
Responsive design is a design approach that allows a website to adapt its layout and content to different screen sizes and devices. This means that a website built with responsive design will look and work well on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
The goal of responsive design is to provide an optimal viewing experience for users, regardless of the device they’re using. With the increasing number of people accessing the internet on mobile devices, it’s become increasingly important to have a website that is responsive.
Responsive design is achieved through a combination of flexible layouts, media queries, and other techniques that allow a website to respond to the size of the screen and the device being used to view it. By providing a consistent and optimal experience for users, responsive design can help improve the user experience and increase the visibility and engagement of a website.
These are just a few of the key terms and concepts that you should be familiar with as a client when it comes to websites. By understanding web hosting, SSL certificates, and domains, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about your online presence and ensure that your website is successful.
Are you looking to create a professional and effective website for your business? Look no further than Unlimited Studios. Our team of experts will work with you to understand your needs and goals, and create a custom website solution that fits your unique business. From custom CMS development to responsive design, we have the skills and experience to bring your vision to life. Don't settle for a generic website template - take control of your online presence with Unlimited Studios. Contact us today to start your web development project and see how we can help bring your business to the next level.