An internet site is a collection of linked pages stored on a computer called a server, identified by a web address you type into your browser

When you type a web address like www.example.com into your browser, you are sending a request to a server — a computer that runs all the time and holds the files that make up that site. The server sends those files back to your computer, your browser reads them, and you see a page. Every site you visit works this way. The site itself is not something that exists in one place the way a book does; it is a collection of files organized so that one page can link to another, and all of them are stored on a server somewhere.

A site can be as straightforward as a single page with text and a picture, or as complex as thousands of pages with video, forms, and interactive features. But the basic idea is the same: files on a server, a web address that points to those files, and your browser displaying them when you ask for them.

Key Takeaways

  • A web address (like www.example.com) is the location of a site on the internet, and typing it into your browser sends a request to the server that holds it.
  • A server is a computer that stores the files that make up a site and sends them to your browser when you request them.
  • The files that make up a site are usually written in HTML, the language browsers understand, and often include images, videos, and other content.
  • Links between pages are what make a site a site — they let you move from one page to another without typing a new web address each time.
  • A domain name (the www.example.com part) is registered with a domain registrar and points to the server where the site's files actually live.

The web address and the domain name

The web address you type — www.example.com — is called a domain name. It is human-readable, which means you can remember it and type it. But the server that actually holds the site's files has a different address, called an IP address, which is a string of numbers like 192.0.2.1. When you type the domain name into your browser, your browser asks a special server (called a DNS server) to translate that name into the IP address, then connects to the server at that IP address.

Domain names are registered through a domain registrar — a company that keeps a record of who owns which domain name and points it to the correct server. You do not have to own a server to own a domain name; you can register a domain and point it to a server you rent from a web hosting company. This is how most small sites and blogs work.

The server and the files

A server is straightforward a computer that is turned on all the time and connected to the internet. Its job is to listen for requests from browsers and send back the files that make up the site. Those files are usually written in HTML, which is a language that tells your browser how to display text, images, and links. A single page on a site might be one HTML file, plus separate files for images, videos, or other content.

When you click a link on a page, your browser sends a new request to the server asking for a different file. The server sends it back, your browser displays it, and you see a new page. This happens so fast that it feels when ready, but each page you visit is actually a separate request and response.

How pages connect to each other

What makes a collection of files into a "site" rather than just random pages is that they are linked together. A link is a piece of HTML code that points to another file on the same server or on a different server. When you click a link, your browser reads that code and knows to request the file the link points to.

A site usually has a home page (often called index.html) that links to other pages, and those pages link to each other. This structure lets you move around the site without having to type a new web address each time. Some sites have hundreds or thousands of pages all linked together in this way.

Static sites versus dynamic sites

A static site is made up of files that are the same every time you visit. The server sends the same HTML file to every person who requests it. A straightforward business website or blog is usually static.

A dynamic site is one where the page changes based on what you do or who you are. When you log into your email, the server looks up your account, pulls your messages from a database, and creates a custom page just for you. Social media sites, online banking, and shopping sites are dynamic. They use a programming language (like PHP or Python) running on the server to create pages on the fly rather than serving pre-made files.

What happens when you visit a site

When you type a web address and press Enter, several things happen in quick succession. Your browser sends a request to a DNS server asking for the IP address of that domain name. The DNS server responds with the IP address. Your browser then connects to the server at that IP address and asks for the home page file (usually index.html). The server sends back that file, plus any images or other files the page needs. Your browser reads all those files and displays the page on your screen.

If you click a link, the same process happens again — your browser requests a new file from the server, the server sends it, and your browser displays it. If you type a new web address, your browser starts over from the DNS lookup step. All of this happens in seconds, which is why the internet feels when ready even though a lot of steps are happening behind the scenes.

Why sites need hosting and a domain

To have a site on the internet, you need two things: a domain name (so people can find it) and a server to store the files (so people can see it). You can register a domain name through a domain registrar for a yearly fee, usually between ten and fifteen dollars. You can rent server space from a web hosting company for a monthly or yearly fee, which varies widely depending on how much space and traffic you need.

Some hosting companies offer both services together — you register a domain with them and they host the site on their servers. Others are separate; you might register your domain with one company and host your site with another. The registrar keeps a record pointing your domain name to the hosting company's server, so when someone types your domain name, their browser finds the right server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a website the same thing as the internet?

No. The internet is the network of computers and cables that connects them all. A website is one thing that lives on the internet. Email, video streaming, and online games also live on the internet, but they are not websites. A website is specifically pages you view in a browser.

Can I see where a website's server is located?

You can find out which company hosts a website by looking up its IP address, but you cannot pinpoint the exact physical location just from the web address. Large companies often have servers in multiple locations around the world. You can use a WHOIS lookup tool to find the registrar and hosting company, but the actual server location is usually not public information.

What is the difference between a website and a web page?

A web page is a single file displayed in your browser. A website is a collection of linked web pages. When you visit www.example.com/about, you are viewing one web page. The entire collection of pages at www.example.com is the website.

Do I need to know HTML to make a website?

No. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress let you create and edit sites without writing any code. They provide templates and drag-and-drop tools that generate the HTML for you. You still need to register a domain name and pay for hosting, but the builder handles the technical part.

Why do some sites load faster than others?

Speed depends on several things: how far away the server is from you, how many files the page needs to load, how large those files are, and how busy the server is. A site with large uncompressed images will load slower than one with optimized images. A server close to you will respond faster than one on the other side of the world.