How Does A Website Work?
To put things into a simple perspective, I like to use the mobile phone analogy to convey complex concepts in a familiar context, making it easier for the customer to understand how a website works. There are (3) key elements to a cell phone: (1) The phone. (2) The phone number. (3) The service plan. The elements of a website in relation to a mobile phone breakdown like this:
Using a Mobile Phone Analogy
Website as a Phone:
- Think of your website as a mobile phone. Just as a phone allows you to make calls, send messages, and use apps, a website lets you share information, sell products & services, and interact with visitors.
Domain Name as a Phone Number:
- The domain name is like the phone number for your mobile phone. It's a unique address (like www.example.com) that people use to reach your website. Just as people dial your phone number to call you, they type your domain name into their browser to visit your site. It's an easy way to find and connect with your website.
Hosting & Maintenance as a Service Plan:
- Hosting is like the service plan for your phone. Just as your service plan allows your phone to connect to the cellular network and function properly, hosting is the service that connects your website to the internet. It stores all the data (like texts, images, and videos) and makes sure your website is always available to visitors. Without a service plan, your phone can't make calls or access the internet; similarly, without hosting, your website can't be accessed online.
Putting It All Together:
- Your website (phone) needs a domain name (phone number) so people can find it. To operate and be accessible, it also needs hosting & maintenance (service plan) to handle the technical aspects and provide the necessary infrastructure. Together, these components ensure that your website is reachable and functional, just like a phone with a number and a service plan.
To dive a little deeper, let’s explain in greater detail:
Monthly Hosting and Maintenance Charge
Hosting as "Cell Phone Service Plan":
- "As mentioned above, think of hosting like a cell phone service plan. Just as you pay a monthly fee for your cell phone service provider to keep your phone connected and usable, the monthly hosting charge keeps your website connected to the internet and accessible to visitors. Without it, your website wouldn’t have the necessary ‘connection’ to be online."
Maintenance as "Phone Updates and Security":
- "Just like your smartphone needs regular updates to its software to run smoothly and stay secure from viruses, your website requires ongoing maintenance. This includes things like software updates, security patches, and backups. The monthly maintenance fee covers these essential services, ensuring your website stays safe and performs well."
Proprietary Software and Limited Transferability
Custom Platform as "Phone Operating System":
- "Our website platform is like a unique phone operating system. Just as iPhones run on iOS and Android phones run on Android, our websites run on a specialized, proprietary system. This system has specific features and designs that only work on our platform, similar to how apps are built specifically for iOS or Android."
Non-Transferable Nature as "App Compatibility":
- "If you wanted to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, you wouldn’t be able to directly transfer your iOS apps to Android because they’re built for a different system. Similarly, your website can’t be simply moved to a different platform because it’s built using our proprietary tools and software. It would need to be rebuilt from scratch on a new system, much like needing to download new apps when switching phone types."
Benefits of Staying as "Integrated Services":
- "Staying with our platform is like sticking with a phone ecosystem you’re familiar with—everything works together seamlessly. You get all the services you need in one place, including hosting, updates, and support, just like how your cell phone service plan includes data, texting, and customer service. It’s a complete package designed to make your online presence as smooth and hassle-free as possible."
Using the cell phone analogy helps convey complex concepts in a familiar context, making it easier to understand the reasons behind the charges and the limitations of transferring their website.
Using a Mobile Phone Analogy
Website as a Phone:
- Think of your website as a mobile phone. Just as a phone allows you to make calls, send messages, and use apps, a website lets you share information, sell products & services, and interact with visitors.
Domain Name as a Phone Number:
- The domain name is like the phone number for your mobile phone. It's a unique address (like www.example.com) that people use to reach your website. Just as people dial your phone number to call you, they type your domain name into their browser to visit your site. It's an easy way to find and connect with your website.
Hosting & Maintenance as a Service Plan:
- Hosting is like the service plan for your phone. Just as your service plan allows your phone to connect to the cellular network and function properly, hosting is the service that connects your website to the internet. It stores all the data (like texts, images, and videos) and makes sure your website is always available to visitors. Without a service plan, your phone can't make calls or access the internet; similarly, without hosting, your website can't be accessed online.
Putting It All Together:
- Your website (phone) needs a domain name (phone number) so people can find it. To operate and be accessible, it also needs hosting & maintenance (service plan) to handle the technical aspects and provide the necessary infrastructure. Together, these components ensure that your website is reachable and functional, just like a phone with a number and a service plan.
To dive a little deeper, let’s explain in greater detail:
Monthly Hosting and Maintenance Charge
Hosting as "Cell Phone Service Plan":
- "As mentioned above, think of hosting like a cell phone service plan. Just as you pay a monthly fee for your cell phone service provider to keep your phone connected and usable, the monthly hosting charge keeps your website connected to the internet and accessible to visitors. Without it, your website wouldn’t have the necessary ‘connection’ to be online."
Maintenance as "Phone Updates and Security":
- "Just like your smartphone needs regular updates to its software to run smoothly and stay secure from viruses, your website requires ongoing maintenance. This includes things like software updates, security patches, and backups. The monthly maintenance fee covers these essential services, ensuring your website stays safe and performs well."
Proprietary Software and Limited Transferability
Custom Platform as "Phone Operating System":
- "Our website platform is like a unique phone operating system. Just as iPhones run on iOS and Android phones run on Android, our websites run on a specialized, proprietary system. This system has specific features and designs that only work on our platform, similar to how apps are built specifically for iOS or Android."
Non-Transferable Nature as "App Compatibility":
- "If you wanted to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, you wouldn’t be able to directly transfer your iOS apps to Android because they’re built for a different system. Similarly, your website can’t be simply moved to a different platform because it’s built using our proprietary tools and software. It would need to be rebuilt from scratch on a new system, much like needing to download new apps when switching phone types."
Benefits of Staying as "Integrated Services":
- "Staying with our platform is like sticking with a phone ecosystem you’re familiar with—everything works together seamlessly. You get all the services you need in one place, including hosting, updates, and support, just like how your cell phone service plan includes data, texting, and customer service. It’s a complete package designed to make your online presence as smooth and hassle-free as possible."
Using the cell phone analogy helps convey complex concepts in a familiar context, making it easier to understand the reasons behind the charges and the limitations of transferring their website.