A good description of a web site would be to think of it as a lot of files, similar to paper files in their folders that are filed into several cabinets. Therefore, the web server would be a cabinet that is full of these files in their folders. When the user accesses them through a web browser, this gives the contents of the files to the web browser, and to the person viewing the web site. The Universal Resource Locator, better known as the URL (or address) points to a web server, kind of like directing an employee to a cabinet in an office setting, to find different documents.

As with any other document meant to be seen by a large number of people, a web site must be carefully designed. The content of the site must be thought out and then assembled or produced, after which it must be laid out in a way that people can read. Before publication, the web site has to be tested to ensure that it can be reliably accessed. This entire process is usually referred to by the name website design.

Website design and publication requires minimum financial investment and specialized skills in comparison to print publication. The software tools available for website design today allow virtually anyone with computer access and an internet connection the ability to design and launch a personal web site.

A simple web site design for non-commercial purposes can be very quick and inexpensive to produce. Such personal web sites typically contain basic media like text, images and video. Complicated web sites, often commercial in nature, can be very expensive and time consuming to produce. Such web sites typically contain additional interactive features and links to databases for applications like virtual shopping carts.

If you have ever thought about creating your very own web site, the first thing to consider is the kind of content you would like to share with your audience. The next thing to consider is the audience you would like to share this content with. Your intended audience could be anybody and everybody, or just your close friends and family, or even just yourself. With a bit of website design, you can create your own online journals and photo galleries which you can access from almost anywhere.

Lastly, you'll need to find web design software to help you put everything together. Depending on what your needs are, the best web design software is usually the free software tools your internet service provider likely offers. You will learn more by searching for phrases like 'web site design software,' or by visiting your internet service provider's main page.