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Web Designer, Web Host, Web Development, What Does It All Mean?

Phillip Kingston
29/01/2009

There is a lot of jargon, change and confusion in the I.T. sector and unfortunately there aren't many people who are prepared to clear it all up. I thought I'd spend some time on the different elements that come together to make websites happen.

Web Hosting

Firstly, a website itself - the pages, text, designs, pictures, etc - is simply a series of files on a computer somewhere. The computers that store and make accessible these files are appropriately called hosts or web hosts. Like your computer in the office or at home, these web hosts need a connection to the Internet so they are accessible from anywhere around the world. The web host faces costs of computer hardware, upgrades, software and a monthly internet connection. These costs are recuperated in the form of web hosting fees (or in some cases the placement of advertising on your website). All websites need a web host and as such an average business will need to put aside between $40-$100 a year for web hosting.

Web Development

Now you know what web hosting is, we can talk about web sites themselves. A website, like any piece of software, can perform many different functions depending on your requirements and budget constraints. Examples of functionality include:

• Product catalogue
• Contact form
• Shopping cart/eCommerce
• Mailing List
• Blog
• Forum/Discussion board

The implementation of these kinds of features is called Website Development and refers largely to programming services. A business' website can vary in price significantly based on the number and complexity of the desired features. An example price range might be $150-$3000 for a traditional business.

Web Design

Finally, we turn to making it all look good and making it usable. This is the realm of the graphic designer. Web Designers interpret the graphic and visual identity of the client, take into account the target market and audience, and turn these constraints into a design. Once this design is approved by the client, it is applied to the website functionality outlined above. Web Design, like Web Development, can vary substantially in price. A basic design might cost $200 but complex designs or large sites can easily cost thousands.

Where to from here?

If you have any questions about this process, or would like to find out how much it would cost to jazz up your website, or even to chat about your first website, please Contact Us. Kingston Development is a very cost effective and professional web development firm that can connect you to marketing leading web design, web development and web hosting services.