Web Hosting Basics for New Webmasters

Launching a website or blog for the first time can feel nerve racking, especially when it comes time to finding the appropriate web host provider. Many web hosting merchants expect prospective webmasters to automatically understand the technical jargon associated with launching a website. Unfortunately, this creates a world of confusion for laymen who could not define the purpose of a domain name, URL, or name server to save their lives. Even more experienced webmasters get lost in finding the right web hosting service that works for them. Therefore, it only makes sense to educate oneself on web hosting basics before diving into the obscure world of DNS configuration and administration.

Follow these links to learn about the basics of web hosting:


What is a Domain Name?


What is a URL?

  • What is a URL?: The University of Indiana describes the purpose of an Uniform Resource Locator (URL), the network identification associated with any resource found on the World Wide Web.
  • URLs 101: What is a URL?: The University of Illinois describes a URL and its format used to direct a web browser to a specific website on the Internet.
  • Tech-Ease: What is a URL?: An educational webpage that describes commonly found URLs, or web addresses, found on the Internet.
  • What is a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and What is Its Form?: A government-sponsored webpage describes the form of a URL, including the service, hostname:port, path, and filename.
  • Understanding a URL (Web Address): Every webpage has a unique address (URL) that identifies its location on the Internet.
  • Basic URL Structure: An educational webpage that describes the basic structure of a URL, and its purpose for directing traffic to a specific website.
  • What Is a URL?: Java defines a URL, its components, and main uses when building, hosting, and maintaining a website.

What is a Name Server?

  • Nameserver Basics: What is an Authoritative Server? What is a Recursive Server?: A knowledgebase that describes the differences and functionality of authoritative and recursive name servers.
  • How Domain Name Servers Work: HowStuffWorks explains how domain name servers work and their overall role for connecting visitors to webpages on the Internet.
  • What is DNS?: The Domain Name System (DNS) has a name server component that translates the human memorable names into a numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address.
  • Introduction to DNS (PDF): Rutgers University provides extensive information on the Domain Name System (DNS), including information on DNS servers, name resolution, resource records and zones, zone transfers, dynamic updates, and DNS standards.
  • The DNS (PDF): A document that explains the Domain Name System (DNS) in depth, including name hierarchy, server hierarchy, name resolution, and other information surrounding name servers.
  • Set Up a DNS Name Server: Webmonkey shares steps on how to set up a DNS server.


What is a Web Host?


Changing Name Servers


Web Hosting Basics