Website Basics Every Business Owner Should Know (Without the Tech Jargon)

by | Apr 22, 2025 | SEO, Websites

You don’t need to be a web developer to understand how your website works—but a little knowledge can go a long way. Whether you’re launching your first site or refreshing an older one, here are the basics you should know about the tools and services that make your website run smoothly and securely.

At JMedia • Nettl of Cuyahoga Falls, we’re all about making the web less confusing and more approachable. So let’s break down the essentials—in simple, everyday terms.

URL – Your Web Address

Think of your URL as the home address for your website. It’s what people type in to visit your site—like www.yourbusiness.com. Just like giving someone your street address helps them find your office, your URL guides them to your digital front door.

Web Hosting – The Space Your Site Lives In

Web hosting is like renting space on the internet where all your website files (text, photos, and pages) are stored. Without it, your site has nowhere to live. Hosting ensures that when someone types in your URL, your website actually shows up.

Care Plans – Keeping Things Running Smoothly

Websites need maintenance just like cars need oil changes. That’s where care plans come in.
They handle regular updates to your site’s themes (the overall design) and plugins (the extra tools and features like contact forms or sliders).
Without these updates, your site can break, slow down, or become vulnerable to hackers. A care plan keeps it all running like it should.

SEO – Helping You Show Up on Google

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is how we help your website appear higher in search results when people look for businesses like yours on Google.
It’s like putting up a giant sign that says “Hey! We’re here!”
Good SEO brings in more visitors without paying for ads. We do this by using smart keywords, optimizing your page speed, and structuring your content so Google understands what your site is all about. This is an optional service beyond the website build.

Domain Name Registration – Claiming Your Address

Before your website can go live, you need to register a domain name (like yourbusiness.com).
This is like claiming your address online—it’s how people find you. We can help secure your domain and renew it annually so you never lose it.

SSL Certificate – Keeping Your Site Secure

You’ve probably seen a little padlock in your browser’s address bar. That means the site has an SSL certificate—a fancy way of saying it’s secure.
SSL encrypts the information shared between your site and its visitors (like contact form details), making people feel safer doing business with you. Plus, Google prefers secure sites and may rank them higher.

Final Thoughts

We know websites can sound overwhelming, but when you understand the basics, you’re better equipped to make smart decisions for your business. And the good news? You don’t have to do it alone.

At JMedia • Nettl of Cuyahoga Falls, we offer all of these services—domain registration, hosting, care plans, SSL certificates, SEO, and more—with friendly, expert support every step of the way.

Download the PDF here for easy reference! 

Need help making sense of your current website—or building a brand new one?
📩 Let’s chat! Visit www.jmediamarketing.com or reach out today to get started.

Talk with Jamie Today

I’d love to learn more about your business!

About the Author

Jamie Moeller

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