When it comes to the internet, there are a lot of terms that get thrown around. “Web page” and “website” are two of the most common. It’s pretty easy to understand the confusion. After all, both a web page and a website refer to stuff you find on the world wide web, so how different can they really be?
As it turns out, some key distinctions set web pages and websites apart. Understanding these differences is essential for anyone who wants to create a piece of digital real estate.
So, without further ado, here’s all you need to know about the differences between a web page and a website.
Table of Contents
What Is A Web Page?
Technically speaking, a web page is a document written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that is accessible through the internet. Each web page URL is unique and can be accessed when you input a web page address into web browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox.
Once you type in a webpage address, the server sends the web page to your browser, where it is displayed.
A web page can contain text, images, videos, or other media types. You will also find multiple web pages linked with other websites that make up a website.
Types Of Web Pages
There are many different types of web pages that you might encounter while browsing the Internet. Here are a few of the most common:
Homepage
The homepage is the main page of a website and is often used to provide visitors with an overview of the site’s content.
Category Page
A category page is a page that groups together similar items or topics. For example, a blog might have a category page for each type of post, such as “reviews,” “news,” and “tutorials.”
Product Page
A product page is a page that provides information about a specific product, such as a description, price, and photos.
About Page
An about page is a page that provides information about the people or organization behind a website.
Contact Page
A contact page is a page that provides visitors with a way to get in touch with the people behind a website.
What Is A website?
A website is a collection of related web pages and typically hosted on the same server.
For example, Amazon.com is a website that contains many web pages. The home page, the page where you can browse products, the page where you can view your shopping cart, and the page where you can make payments are all web pages that are part of Amazon.com.
An individual, a business, or an organization can create a website. Websites are typically accessed via the Internet.
When you type a website address into your browser, you are asked to view a specific web page hosted on a server. The server then sends the web page to your browser, which displays it on your screen.
Simply put, you can think of a web page as a document and a website as a collection of those documents. Just as you can put different documents in a physical folder, you can set other web pages on a website. For example, a website might have a home page, an About page, a Contact page, and so on.
A website can be created for many different purposes. Some websites are designed to sell products or services(e.g., Amazon), some are made to provide information(e.g., Wikipedia), and some are intended for entertainment(e.g., YouTube).
You can create a website for personal or business use. For example, you could create a website to showcase your photography portfolio or to promote your small business.
Want to know more about a portfolio website? Check out this article: What’s a Portfolio Website? How to Create One for Personal and Business Use.
Key Differences Between A Web Page And A Website
Listed below are some of the significant differences between a web page and a website:
- A web page is a single document that can be viewed in a web browser, while a website is a collection of multiple web pages accessible through a web domain.
- A web page is typically written in HTML and can be found by searching for its URL, while a website is hosted on a web server and can be found by searching for its domain name.
- A web page can be created by anyone with a text editor and a web browser, while a website requires a web server and a domain address.
- A web page can be viewed offline, while a website must be accessed through a web browser.
- Search engines can find a web page, while a website cannot.
- A web page is generally static (i.e., it doesn’t change much over time). On the other hand, a website can be dynamic (i.e., it can change often).
- A web page has a unique URL address, while a website has a domain name
- A web page can be part of a website, while a website cannot be part of a web page.
- A web page can be printed, while a website cannot.
- Web pages are typically coded in HTML, while websites may use other languages such as PHP, ASP, Java, or Perl.
In Conclusion
As we have seen, there is a clear difference between a webpage and a website. So the next time you need to use any of these terms, you know exactly when and where to use them.
Nevertheless, creating a website is relatively easy and does not require any special skills or training. You can create a website in less than an hour with the help of several affordable and easy-to-use tools.
WordPress.com and Dreamweaver are two popular tools that can be used to create a website. Check out this WordPress vs Dreamweaver comparison to see which is better for you.
FAQs
How Many Web Pages Can Be On A Website?
There is no limit to the number of web pages on a website. A website can have one page or thousands of pages. The only limit is the amount of storage space a web host has to offer.
What Is The Difference Between A Web Page And A Website In Simple Terms?
A web page is a single document that is part of a website. A website is a collection of related web pages with a common theme. Think of a web page as a single sheet of paper, while a website is a pile of paper. A web page can stand alone, but a website comprises many web pages.