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We can use the office metaphor to better understand the world wide web. Think of a web site as a collection of paper files organized into folder which are themselves sorted into various cabinets. A web server could be thought of as the cabinet. This cabinet is accessed by web surfer using a web browser program, which displays the content of those files onto the user's computer screen. The cabinet, or web server, has an address called the URL which directs the web browser to the desired destination.

Web sites must be designed much like any other document is designed for viewing by a wide audience. The content of the site must be carefully considered, and then collected, modified, or produced from scratch. The layout must be organized, coherent and accessible; and the web site must be tested prior to publication. This process of producing a web site for publication onto the internet is referred to as 'website design'.

Website design doesn't require much specialized knowledge or any financial investment, unlike the preparation of paper publications or other physical media. Today, there are website design tools that anyone can buy that will allow anyone with a modem and computer to design and operate his own website from the bottom up.

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.

The last thing you will need to help you put your site together is web design software. If your web site is non-commercial, the free tools your internet service provider probably offers are often the best tools. Visit your ISP's web site, or search for a term like 'affordable web site design software' to find out more.

If you're considering creating a web site for any number of reasons, it's never been a better time to get started. From personal sites to commercial applications, each is explained in detail. Here, you'll learn the fundamentals of good website design and get suggestions on how to acquire the proper tools to create your best web design. You'll discover that there are many free services to help you start as well as more advanced web design software to consider as your requirements grow. If you're ready to publish your material to world, this is an excellent primer.