A server's domain name is a unique address on the Internet that identifies an online site. On the internet, you can find many different website names, such as those for education, ecommerce, government, and entertainment.
When you type a domain name into your browser, it is then matched with the correct IP address that your computer needs to locate and communicate with that particular website. That's what the Domain Name System (DNS) is for - it uses a method that maps alphabetic domain names to IP addresses just like a phone book.
DNS is a database that uses the client-server system. The servers in the DNS are called name servers and are responsible for storing information about each domain and its corresponding IP address.
How Does DNS Work
The first step in the DNS process is for a computer to ask a specialized computer, called a root server, what IP addresses are associated with each Top Level Domain. In general, every domain has its very own registry and these registries reside on a dedicated computer called the root server.
When the root server has determined what TLD is being sought, it will send your request to an Domain Name Resolver. This computer can be found within a service provider. These resolvers are experts at locating the registries in each domain as well as translating the domain name to an IP address.
Different types of DNS records are required depending on the type of domain and what resolver is needed. The A record is the most commonly used, as it contains the IP address. Other common records include CNAME and TXT. They can be used to create an alias, or forward the request to another DNS server.
These records are defined by a database called a Zone File. The DNS zone files store information regarding each domain's IP address and any other relevant information such as DNS Cache, Time to Live (TTL), DNS cache etc.
The recursive DNS receives the query, and then makes a series requests until the authoritative DNS nameserver for that domain is reached. Then, the recursive DNS service returns the IP addresses to the client.
There are two types authoritative name servers within the DNS: primary and Secondary. The primary DNS server is the one that holds copies of the zone files and all the records for the zone. The secondary DNS servers are only used if there are errors in the primary or if the authoritative domain server is not available.
Authoritative Name Servers are the final authority in regards to all the IP addresses, domain names, and zones. As they can change the IPs of the zones and domains that they are responsible for, these name servers play a vital role in managing and maintaining DNS.
The DNS server recursive makes requests until it reaches authoritative DNS nameservers for the zone or domain. When the authoritative DNS server is unable to provide what the recursive DNS needs, the DNS server will query another DNS nameserver. This DNS nameserver can then return the required information. The recursive DNS servers can return an IP address instead. This is the fastest and most common way to get an IP address from the nameserver.
FAQ
What is a static website?
A static website is where all content is stored on a server and accessed by visitors via web browsers.
The term "static", refers to the absence or modification of images, video, animations, and so forth.
This type of site was originally developed for use in corporate intranets but has since been adopted by individuals and small businesses who want simple websites without the complexity of custom programming.
Because they are less maintenance-intensive, static sites have gained popularity. Static sites are easier to maintain and update than fully-featured websites with multiple components (such as blogs).
They also load quicker than their dynamic counterparts. They are ideal for mobile users and those with slow Internet connections.
Also, static websites are more secure that dynamic counterparts. A static website is impossible to hack. Hackers can only access the data contained in a database.
There are two main ways to create a static website:
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Using a Content Management System (CMS)
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Static HTML Website Creation
It all depends on what you need. A CMS is my recommendation if your first website was created.
Why? Because you have complete control over your website. With a CMS, you don't need to hire someone to help you set up your site. You just need to upload files to your web server.
Still, you can learn to code and create static websites. It will take some time to learn to program.
Where can you find freelance web developers?
Freelance web designers and developers are available in many locations. Here are some of our top choices:
Freelance Websites
These websites offer job listings for freelancers. Some sites have very specific requirements while others do not care about what kind of work you do.
For example, Elance offers high-quality jobs for graphic designers, writers, programmers, translators, editors, project managers, and many other positions.
oDesk features similar to oDesk, but they are focused on software development. They have job opportunities in PHP. Perl. Java. C++. Python. JavaScript. Ruby. Android. And.NET developers.
oWOW is another good option. Their site focuses primarily on web designers and graphic design. They also offer video editing, writing, programming, SEO, social media marketing, and many other services.
Online forums
Many forums allow members of the community to post jobs or advertise their services. DeviantArt is an example of a forum that's dedicated to web developers. If you search "web developer" in the search bar, you will see a list of threads where people are looking for someone to help them with their websites.
How much do web developers make?
You can expect to make between $60-$80 an hour working on your own website. If you are looking to make more money, it is worth considering becoming an independent contractor. You could potentially charge anywhere from $150-200 per hour.
Statistics
- It's estimated that in 2022, over 2.14 billion people will purchase goods and services online. (wix.com)
- Studies show that 77% of satisfied customers will recommend your business or service to a friend after having a positive experience. (wix.com)
- At this point, it's important to note that just because a web trend is current, it doesn't mean it's necessarily right for you.48% of people cite design as the most important factor of a website, (websitebuilderexpert.com)
- When choosing your website color scheme, a general rule is to limit yourself to three shades: one primary color (60% of the mix), one secondary color (30%), and one accent color (10%). (wix.com)
- Is your web design optimized for mobile? Over 50% of internet users browse websites using a mobile device. (wix.com)
External Links
How To
What is website hosting?
Website hosting refers to where people go when they visit a website. There are two types:
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Shared hosting – This is the most affordable option. Your website files reside on a server controlled by someone else. When customers visit your site, their requests travel over the Internet to that server. The owner of the server then hands off the request to you.
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Dedicated hosting: This is the most costly option. Your website resides entirely on one server. Your traffic stays private as no other websites can share the same server.
Most businesses choose shared hosting because it's less expensive than dedicated hosting. The company hosting the server will provide the resources necessary to manage your website.
But there are pros and cons to both options. Here are the differences:
Shared Hosting Pros
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Lower Cost
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Simple to Setup
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Frequent Updates
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It is available on many Web Hosting Companies
Shared hosting can often cost as little as $10/month. Remember that shared hosting usually comes with bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data you can transfer across the Internet. Even if only you upload photos to your blog or website, high-volume data transfers may incur additional charges.
You'll soon realize why your old host cost so much once you get started. Most shared hosts don't offer any customer support. Although their techs may help you with setting up your site, it's not a common practice.
You'll want to look into a provider that offers 24-hour phone support. They will help you deal with any issues that arise while your sleeping.
Cons of dedicated hosting
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More Expensive
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Less is More
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Requires specific skills
With dedicated hosting, you get everything you need to run your website. You won’t need to worry whether you have enough bandwidth or enough RAM (random address memory).
This means you will need to spend more upfront. However, once you start running your business online, you'll find that you won't need much technical assistance. You'll become an expert at managing your servers.
Which Is Better For My Business:
The answer will depend on the type and purpose of your website. If you're selling products only, shared hosting might work best. It's easy to set up and maintain. And since you're sharing a server with many other sites, you'll likely receive frequent updates.
However, dedicated hosting is the way to go if you want to build a community around your brand. Instead of worrying about traffic, you can concentrate on building your brand.
Bluehost.com is a web host that offers both. Bluehost.com offers unlimited monthly data transfers, 24/7 customer support, domain registrations free of charge, and a 30-day guarantee for your money back.