Imagine being a caveman plucked from prehistoric times and dropped into the modern world. Suddenly, you find yourself surrounded by shiny screens and glowing boxes, with people tapping away on them all day long. “What’s going on here?” you wonder.

You soon realise these glowing boxes are the new campfire — a place to connect, learn, share ideas. But this isn’t about mammoth skins or swapping tales of hunting grounds. Everything’s happening online, and without your own space… well, like the only caveman without fire, you’re missing out big time.

What is a website?

A website is a digital space where people find information, connect with others, shop and learn. It’s a place to share ideas, tell stories or create something engaging.

Specifically, a website is accessed through a browser, which is the software or app on your phone, computer or tablet that brings it to life.

Websites have revolutionised the way we connect with others. Making it easier than ever to reach people far and wide, they let audiences discover what you’re all about and explore what you have to offer. This is also why they’re brilliant for business — helping you share your work, sell your products, and find success in ways that were once unimaginable.

What Types of Website Are There?

Lots! Just some of the most common types of websites include: 

The History of the Internet (in One Minute)

In the early days, the internet was an experimental network connecting just a handful of computers.

In 1969, ARPANET linked four machines across the US to share information. It wasn’t much at first — just basic messages and data-sharing — but it was the first step towards something special. 

In 1971, the invention of email allowed messages to be sent across this early network. By the 1970s, TCP/IP protocols were developed, acting like a system of phone numbers that let different networks communicate with each other. 

In the late 80s, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee introduced the World Wide Web. In 1989, he developed the concept of Hypertext, URLs, and the first web browser (also called WorldWideWeb). Berners-Lee also invented HTML, a coding language — or rather, a “markup” language — that gave pages structure and made it easier to create this new fangled “web” content. 

The Domain Name System (DNS) was developed to link easy-to-remember domain names (like www.123-reg.co.uk) to phone number-like IP Addresses that computers use to identify each other online. 

See also: What is DNS – How Websites Get Found Online

The first website went live in 1991 at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), created to share information about the World Wide Web project. However, it wasn’t until 1994, with the release of the more user-friendly Netscape Navigator, that browsing began to go mainstream. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer came to dominate in the late-90s.

Top-Level Domain “extensions” (TLDs) like .com and .co.uk were among the first to be introduced, sparking the domain name boom and shaping the internet’s commercial landscape. New and niche generic domain endings (gTLDs) were released to keep up with demand.

Behind the scenes, various organisations emerged to manage the internet’s infrastructure. In 1998, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was founded to oversee domain names and IP addresses worldwide.

The Dot-Com Boom of the 90s was the internet’s big bang, with businesses rushing to establish an online presence and investors throwing money at nearly every startup with a “dot com” in its name. When the boom became a bubble in 2000, many companies faced collapse, but the dust eventually settled, paving the way for the internet we know today.

Ecommerce revolutionised shopping forever. Search Engines changed the way we access information — with Google surpassing Yahoo! in the early 2000s, and remaining the world’s most popular search provider ever since.

Over the next decade, Broadband brought faster speeds. Smartphones arrived and 3G Networks enabled faster mobile internet, making it possible to stay connected on the go. By 2012, mobile devices accounted for around 10% of internet traffic. Today, smartphones and tablets account for over 60%.

Online Banking allowed people to manage their money from the comfort of their sofa. Illegal file sharing upended the music, film, and publishing industries. Cloud Computing transformed how we store and access data. Social Media Platforms, Dating Websites, and countless other services became part of daily life. Privacy and Safety Concerns grew.

Then came the explosion of Apps, the rise of Social Media Influencers, and, how could we forget, internet Memes. Online Shopping went from strength to strength. Google acquired YouTube. Bitcoin went mainstream. TikTok overtook FaceBook. Musk bought Twitter. 

And, with AI on the verge of shaking the whole thing up again, here we are…

See also: .com vs .co.uk – Which Domain is Best for Your British Business? 

How Do Websites Work?

Websites are made up of files stored on servers that can be viewed and accessed through web browsers, like Chrome or Safari. These files contain everything you see on a website, from text and images to the code that makes the site work. The structure of a website is built using HTML, which tells the browser where everything goes. 

When you type a website’s address into a browser, it sends a request to the server where the site’s files are stored. The server then sends the files back to the browser, which puts them together and displays the site for you to interact with.  

Without servers, the files that make up a website wouldn’t be stored anywhere. And without browsers, websites wouldn’t be accessible — they’re the gateway, bringing the online world to your device.  

That said, the online world is changing. Smart speakers, voice assistants, wearable tech, and even connected home appliances are getting in on the action — proving you don’t need a screen to get on the web these days. 

What Happens When You Visit a Webpage?

When you type a website address into your browser, your device sends a request over the internet to find that website.

This request travels through cables and wireless signals, bouncing from server to server until it reaches the one where the website is stored. Once it arrives, the server says, “Yes, got that!” and sends the website’s files back to your device. 

Your browser can then assemble these files into a website you see on your screen. As you interact with the site — clicking links, watching videos, reading text — your device sends more requests to the server, and the process repeats.

There’s a lot happening behind the scenes when you visit a website. Let’s break it down into simple steps to see how websites actually work. 

The Key Elements Behind a Website:

• Domain Name: A website’s address (like “123-reg.co.uk”) is known as a domain name. It’s the unique name people type into their browser to find your site. A good domain name should be short, easy to remember, and relevant. 

• Web Hosting: After choosing your domain name, your website needs somewhere to live. Unless you’ve got a server at home, Web Hosting is where your website’s files — text, images, videos — will be stored. Such servers are powerful machines that keep your site available to visitors all day, every day. 

• Website Structure: Websites are made up of web pages, such as your homepage, contact page, or product pages. These pages can be neatly organised and linked together using navigation menus.  

All About Website Structure

Websites are created using three main coding languages: 

• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): This is the backbone of any website. It’s used to create the basic structure of the page. HTML is like the skeleton—it gives a webpage its shape by defining elements like headings, paragraphs, images, links, and lists. For example, if you see a big title on a webpage, that’s created using an HTML heading tag. Without HTML, websites would just be blank pages with no content. 
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Once the basic structure is in place, CSS is used to style the page and make it look appealing. CSS controls things like colours, fonts, spacing, and layout. For instance, when you see a website with a bold headline or a neat grid of images, that’s all thanks to CSS. It turns the bare-bones HTML structure into something visually engaging, making sure everything looks just right on the page. 
• JavaScript: This is what makes websites interactive. While HTML and CSS are focused on structure and style, JavaScript adds functionality. It lets you interact with the page, from clicking buttons to filling out forms or watching animations. For example, when you click a “submit” button on a contact form and it changes colour or the page updates without reloading, that’s JavaScript at work. JavaScript can also power things like image sliders, pop-up windows, or live chat features. 

Together, these “big three” bring websites to life: HTML gives it structure, CSS for looking good, and JavaScript for interactivity.  

The good news today is that you truly don’t need any coding skills whatsoever to build and manage your own website. Tools like Website Builder take care of all the hard work for you. 

How Can I Build My Own Website?

Thanks to the rise of easy website design platforms, creating your own website has never been easier. 

These tools are designed to be accessible for everyone, even those with no technical background. With ready-to-go themes, drag-and-drop features, and customisable templates, you can create a professional-looking site a day.

In fact, it’s no overstatement to say you can buy a good domain and get a website up and running in the space of an hour, if you want to!

Some builders also come with advanced features like e-commerce tools, SEO support, and mobile responsiveness, making it simple to create a site that looks great and works well on any device.

Ideal for small business owners, freelancers, or anyone wanting to get online, website builders handle the technical side, like hosting and domain registration, so you can focus on your content and design.

123 Reg Website Builder

Looking for an easy way to create your website? 123 Reg Website Builder might be just what’s needed.

With an easy-to use interface and intuitive tools, getting your site online is as simple as a few clicks. You’ll find a wide range of themes and templates, making it easy to choose a design that matches your needs. 

123 Reg offers templates to suit all types of businesses. Most of the heavy lifting in web design is done for you, so you can focus on building and maintaining your site with ease. Plus, it comes packed with features to manage your domain and set up a professional email address to tie everything together.

You can scale up as your business grows by adding new features or upgrading to the Online Store Builder, which includes stock control, payment options, and robust SEO tools to help your site rank higher in search results.

With reliable customer support, 123 Reg Website Builder is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to start an online business — or to take an offline business online.

Learn more about creating a website with Website Builder

Managed WordPress

If you’re after a little more flexibility and control over your site, a content management system (CMS) like WordPress could be the right choice.

Managed WordPress gives you access to a rich library of plugins, many of which are free or have freemium versions. These plugins let you add features to your site, from improving SEO to adding social sharing or even strengthening security.

WordPress is a versatile platform for building websites of all types. In fact, it’s the world’s most popular CMS tool. From business pages to online portfolios, it offers powerful tools to meet your needs. Managed WordPress from 123 Reg also gives you access to a wide selection of themes, allowing you to choose a design that fits your style and goals. You can easily change themes to find the look that works best for your site, without needing any technical skills.

One of the key features of WordPress is the ability to choose from a rich library of existing “plugins”.  These allow you to add extra features to your site, from adding social media buttons, payment options, you name it.

Again, there’s no need to write any code — you’ll find plugins that suit your needs, whether you want to start an online shop, set up a booking system, or make your site more discoverable on search engines.

Getting a Custom-Built Website

If your business has specific needs, you can hire a web developer to build a site from scratch.

This option works well for businesses or projects that need something custom. It can save you time, but it’s usually more expensive than using a website builder or CMS. You’ll likely need to stay in touch with the designer for updates or changes. Essentially, you’re outsourcing the work, so you won’t have full control over every detail.

Dare we say: DIY website design platforms are so easy and feature-rich these days that all but the most time-stretched of small business owners will be able to create a website on their own. (Don’t hate us for saying that, pro web developers, but it’s true!) 

Ecommerce CMS

E-commerce CMS are specialised platforms that help businesses manage online stores. For those looking to create more ambitious online stores, e-commerce platforms like Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce offer dedicated tools for building online shops.  

These platforms focus on providing a smooth shopping experience, from product pages to payment processing, so they’re good for businesses focused on selling products online. However, E-commerce CMS do also come with a higher cost and require technical expertise, often needing dedicated IT teams or outsourcing. Of course, this can make them less than ideal for solopreneurs and small businesses. 

See also: How to Build a Website For Your Business and How to Start an Online Business (Without Any Money)  

Website Trends to Watch Out For

Website design is always evolving, with trends often leaning towards simplicity and ease of use. Minimalist layouts continue to be popular, stripping away unnecessary clutter to let key content shine. This “less is more” approach doesn’t just look good — it helps visitors find what they need without distractions. 

When it comes to website design, a few missteps can quickly turn visitors away. Cluttered pages are a common culprit—too much text, endless images, or flashy animations can overwhelm users. Instead, stick to a clean layout with clear navigation, so visitors can find what they’re looking for. 

Accessibility is also gaining more attention, making websites usable for everyone, including those with disabilities. Features like screen reader compatibility, clear navigation, and high-contrast colour schemes are no longer nice-to-haves — they’re must-haves. 

Mobile Ready: Responsive Design

A mobile-friendly website is one that’s designed to work just as well on smartphones as it does on desktops, adapting to different screen sizes and user needs. The idea is that visitors should have a great experience, wherever they are. 

More than half of internet searches happen on mobile devices, so mobile-friendly websites are an absolute must for businesses today. While one way around this might be to build separate sites for each device, that’s obviously not very practical. Instead, responsive design allows websites to adjust their layout based on the device being used, making for an impeccable user experience across smartphones, tablets, and even other connected devices like smart TVs. 

Features like readable text, fast load times, clear navigation, and easy-to-tap buttons are all part of a mobile-friendly site. Responsive design offers all these benefits, making it the smart choice for most businesses today. 

For more, check out: Mobile Matters – Why You Need a Mobile-Friendly Website 

Digital Padlocks: SSL Certificates

SSL certificates are one of the fundamentals of running a website safely. They’re small files that create a secure connection between your website and your visitors, making sure any information shared, like passwords or credit card details, stays private. 

When your site has an SSL certificate, the connection is encrypted, which means hackers can’t easily snoop on what’s being sent. You’ll see this in action with the padlock icon in the browser address bar and the “https://” at the start of your web address. 

Having an SSL certificate isn’t just about security—it also helps build trust with visitors. People are more likely to feel comfortable making purchases or sharing their details on a site that’s secure.  

For more, take a look at: 7 Reasons Why SSL Certificates are Essential for Websites 

Getting Noticed: SEO and Your Website

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s all about making sure your website shows up in search engine results when people search for things related to your business. In short, SEO helps your website get noticed by the right people, getting you higher up the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). 

By using the right keywords, optimising your site’s structure, and creating content that answers people’s questions, SEO can boost your ranking and drive more traffic to your site. Without SEO, your site might be hidden on page 10 of Google, where no one will see it.  

SEO started to get going as an idea in the late 1990s, and since then, it’s evolved into a huge global industry. Today, dedicated SEO pros work to help businesses climb the ranks of search engines, competing for that all-important visibility. 

See also: The 123 Reg A-Z of SEO Guide and Local SEO in 10 — How Do I Get My Business Found Online? 

How Websites Earn Money

Websites aren’t just for sharing information — they can also make money. One of the easiest ways is through ads. By displaying ads on your site, you can earn money each time someone views or clicks on them. Tools like Google AdSense make setting this up simple, but it’s important to find the right balance so your site doesn’t get cluttered with ads.

Affiliate marketing is another popular option. This involves promoting products or services from other businesses and earning a commission for every sale made through your links. For example, a fitness blog might link to workout gear or healthy recipes, earning a small commission whenever a reader makes a purchase.

If you have a business or side hustle, your website can directly bring in money by selling products or offering services. Whether it’s handmade goods, digital downloads, or booking consultations, your site can be your shopfront. Some websites even charge for exclusive content via subscriptions or memberships, creating a steady income stream.

Ultimately, how you monetise your website depends on your goals. It’s about having the right balance, while keeping your site valuable and enjoyable to visit.

Websites Now and in the Future

Looking ahead, websites are going to get even smarter. AI is already helping design websites quicker and more efficiently, and it’s only going to get better. Imagine a website that knows exactly what you want before you even click, making it feel like it’s reading your mind. This could mean less time spent on the boring bits, with AI handling things like design and content. 

Voice search is also on the rise, so soon, you might be chatting with your website instead of typing away. You might even find yourself navigating sites through virtual or augmented reality. While we’re not all in VR headsets just yet, immersive tech is starting to make its way into web design, bringing even more exciting possibilities for how we interact with online content. The future is looking pretty cool for websites! 

Wrap Up

Websites have come a long way since the earliest days of the world wide web. Gone are the days of basic, static pages – now, we have sleek, responsive sites that work on any device. With tools like Website Builder, getting your own website today is easier than ever. In fact, you can buy a domain and have a site up and running in as little as an hour, with all the tools you need to start selling online and look like a pro.