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Why Build a Website?
Websites are no longer just for computer geeks!
Breaking it Down
When you break it down there are basically two reasons people build websites:
1) to share information and ideas and
2) to make money.
These two causes are the motivation behind all websites. However, to better categorize the purposes and uses of websites, the hosting community has split up web sites into two categories: personal use websites & business websites.
Not Just for Geeks
By examining these two categories of websites we may learn why people build websites and how the World Wide Web can be a useful tool for many people- not just the computer nerds! Read the following three articles to learn about the basic types of websites, the web hosts who host them, and what you could do with a website.
Personal websites are one of the most popular types of sites that people choose to build. First time webmasters are know for building a website about their hobbies interests complete with pictures and text. Another form of a personal website is the increasingly popular blog or weblog. Blogs are simply an online journal. Some use them for venting, others for sharing stories and even more just a place to pen their thoughts and feelings in cyber space.
Example 1: A guy that is interested in hunting pheasant and training bird dogs wants to keep an online journal of his training and hunting experiences to share with his buddies. He signs up for a shared hosting account and downloads a free version of blogging software. He buys a domain name and begins to record his experiences about hunting upland game and training german shorthaired pointers.
Example 2: An artist builds a resume style site to show their illustration art. The owner uses their name as the domain name and showcases illustrations published in the media and also childrens literature.
Example 3: A musician signs up for a free web hosting account so he can showcase the bands he performs with and future gigs. He chooses a sub-domain using his own name as the domain. He uses the site to spread the word about Jazz and his musical interests.
Whether you plan to sell products online or just want to tell customers about your business's services, you can do so with a business website. Mom and Pop operations, small businesses, and large corporations alike are promoting their businesses using the power of a website.
Business websites that plan to sell products or services are called e-commerce websites. Good e-commerce websites include tools for customers to easily navigate, purchase, and receive online purchases. Some of the web features that make good e-commerce websites possible are:
- Shopping cart software - a software program that allows customers to collect all items together so they may purchase all at once.
- The ability to accept various types of payment- including credit cards, pay pal, checks, etc. Businesses are able to accept credit card payment online when they sign up to have a merchant account, which is like a bank account to immediately process credit cards.
- SSL- Secure sockets layer is available to business web hosts for encryption services. SSL secures websites so customers' private information is encrypted and protected from online identity and credit card thieves.
These are just a few real-life examples of how people carved their name in this giant tree we call the world wide web. There are limitless applications and examples of websites but most people start out with something personal. With broadband connections reaching to cover the globe and computers in many homes and countries, it's just a matter of time before you are online.
Adapted from 100best-free-web-space.com website
