The Building Blocks of Websites
Welcome, web adventurers, to an exciting journey into the heart of the digital wonderland! If you've ever wondered what a website is and what it’s meant to accomplish, then you're in for a treat. Today we'll take you on an enchanting ride for beginners through the world of websites - so fasten your seatbelt, grab your virtual map, and get ready to explore the endless possibilities of the online universe!
Let's start with the fundamentals. A website is like your personal space on the internet, where you can showcase your passions (think gallery pages displaying your latest photographic journey), share your thoughts (from wellness insights to parenting blogs)…or even run an online business (from selling delectable food items to showcasing your latest side hustle). Think of it as your digital home, your virtual address that visitors from all around the world can visit with just one click, at any time of the day or night.
A website is made up of web pages, like chapters in a book, and each page has its own unique content tailored to a specific audience. From captivating text that guides the visitor on a descriptive and informative journey, to eye-catching images and exciting videos. The aim is to keep users intrigued enough to continue scrolling. These web pages work together to form your website, guiding visitors through your virtual realm and showcasing your brand, ideas, and/or products - as minimal or vast as they might be!
These days you can dive into the exciting process of building your own website, without needing to be a tech genius. With user-friendly website builders, you'll have all the tools you need to bring your vision to life. These platforms allow you to select from various templates, where you can customise colors, fonts, and styles, tweaking things as often as you want - this allows you to let your creativity flow and come up with a website that’s unique to you! Another option, if you don’t have the time or patience, is to engage with a website builder (like us here at Unmaze Online!), which can save you a whole lot of stress, so that you can continue to concentrate on building the other parts of your business.
Your website is much more than just a pretty face, meaning the UI or User Interface side of things. It's a platform for connecting with your audience, this is the UX or User Experience side of things. Engaging your visitors with compelling content and high quality elements is key. Links help provide an interactive aspect that can build curiosity - internal links help your visitors and potential customers navigate through the various pages on your site, while external links will take the user to other relevant sites. They can also introduce users to your social media pages e.g. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube etc. From blog posts that share your knowledge, to contact forms that encourage visitors to get in touch with you or to provide valuable feedback. You can make your website an inviting space for conversation and repeat visitors.
Websites are seen by many as a crucial element to endorse professionalism and to provide all relevant info in one handy to reach place. Once you’ve decided you need a website, it’s time to pick the perfect domain name (e.g. www.unmazeonline.com) - think of this as your digital address, guiding visitors to your online home. After you’ve registered your domain name, you’ll need to find a reliable hosting provider to bring your website to life on the internet - this is like a virtual parking space for your website. These are just a couple of the initial things you’ll need to organise, so keep an eye out for more in-depth explanations on domains, hosting, and more, coming soon.
So there you have it, web adventurer! You've now got an idea of the basics of websites, and why they play an important role in 99% of businesses around the world. But the journey doesn't end here, which is why the Unmaze Online team are going to continue exploring the vast possibilities of the online world with our future posts, so if you’re keen to find out more, then make sure you check them out.
Now, go forth and let your website be your digital canvas, a place to express yourself, connect with others, and leave your mark on the world. The online universe is yours to conquer and we’re here to help you!