URL

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A URL is a Web address with different parts. Here's a description of those parts.

Things to keep in mind.

Always double check that you have typed a URL correctly. URLs can be really long. One way to avoid a typing error is to copy-and-paste the URL into the address box.

When typing a URL into the address box, you do not have to type the http://. Also, there are other types of connections besides http://. For example, https:// indicates a secure site.

Domain names often begin with www, but they do not have to. Sometimes leaving off the Ws will matter and you will not reach the site you want.

Domains end in .com, .edu, .gov, .org, and many more, including country codes .us, .uk, .ca, etc. These extensions provide information to the kind of site you are viewing:

• .com - generally indicates a commercial site, although not always. .biz is another extension that indicate commercial intent. Commercial sites based in other countries use other codes (i.e. www.bbc.co.uk)
  
• .edu - indicates and educational institution.
• .gov - indicates a U.S. government site.
• .org - indicates a non-profit organization
  

Folder and file names can tell you about the content of the Web site and the particular page you are looking at. They also may be cryptic and not mean a thing except to the site designer.

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