Things which exist on one's personal computer are referred to as "client side", and on the web host as "server side". The average internet user might have first heard "client" in the context of applications installed on the personal computer, such as "email client". Those mail systems which can be used from anywhere are "web mail", and exist on the server side.

In practical terms, all your office suite programs, media players, programs to edit images, most games, and so forth, are probably client side, although "utility" type functions are evolving on the server side. For example, users can now share data on server side spreadsheets and word processors.

Most browser function is defined on the client side, perhaps with some JavaScript add-ons for interaction, calendars, multi-level menus, animated graphics, et cetera.

Business enterprise level content management, databases, store systems, and much more are on the server side. Server side programming can range from simple CGI scripts ("Common Gateway Interface") written in a variety of languages, such as Perl. Large databases can be built in the popular open-source MySQL, and accessed through interfaces programmed in PHP.

First embodiments of such CGI functions started a new copy of the executing module for each command request. To avoid server shutdown from excessive workload, host programmers have evolved better ways, but these need not concern us ordinary mortals.

Fortunately for this author, a web site builder does not need to be an expert in all those server side tools in order to use them. Most hosting companies now offer access to pre-installed modules. Persons wanting better features can purchase modules from third parties to upload and install, such as shopping carts, which are backed by support staff, user, or similar.

If the site builder lacks a very fast connection to the server, s/he can install client side copies of operating systems for SQL, PHP, other... to emulate behavior on the host. Sometimes the emulation is less than perfect, such as with different release generations, so adjustments may be needed after upload.

Why would anyone bother to do this? One reason is that PHP can take over parts of HTML coding, such as with "include files" which represent often used sections of header, footer, body, or serve more robustly than JavaScript for interactivity and utility functions.

If the connection is fast, however, present day "shared hosting" and "virtual private/dedicated servers" make it very difficult for one domain owner to break the system for other users. And only privileged employees have access to the power switch. VPS allows power users to get more behind the scenes than can the SH customer.

Caveat: Whether your HTML writing is done directly on host account or on personal computer for upload, keep an off-site copy against the day your hosting company drops or back levels your content. It will happen.

What ever the approach a person uses for working on the internet, all these elements are examples of "distributed processing", a concept which some large mainframe computer manufacturers had hoped would never be realized. Now that the small guys and gals have forced the issue, by using ever more powerful personal computers in place of dumb terminals, the big dogs have learned to love and profit from it.

Personal websites and business may not go hand-in-hand as far as you are concerned, but I urge you to think again. If you want to sell something, you may need to "sell yourself" first. People enjoy doing business with someone they know and like. More importantly, they want to know that they can trust you.

We are actually able to transact business all over the world due to today's technology. The problem with that can be a lack of personal service. However, with the internet, and especially with personal websites, we can feel as if we know someone that we have never actually met. We can know what a person looks like, we can know the sound of their voice, we can know all about their family, hobbies, dreams, future goals, etc.

When someone is surfing the web looking for a way to work from home, they are also looking for someone to partner with. Someone to mentor them and show them the way. They want to feel comfortable with a prospective future business partner.

If you want them to consider joining your opportunity, you have to be visible on the internet. You have to be willing to get personal and reveal yourself to them. Your site should be warm and inviting. It should provide information about you and your business opportunity. Give them a way to contact you.

This really is the way to gain business partners from all over the world, or from just the good old U.S. if your company is not international. Think about what you were looking for when you were searching for a home business. I don't know about you, but I felt a connection with my sponsor. I felt as if I knew her just by looking at her website.

That is what you want to create. You want to seem warm, friendly, and approachable. You want your reader to feel as if they already know you. A lady contacted me via email recently who was interested in my candle business. She practically told me her life story in that email, and it is probably because she felt like she knew me. She had seen my site and already knew all about me.

That is a good thing. It means that she felt as if I was someone she could talk to candidly. She must have thought that I would be approachable and would be receptive to her. Not everybody who contacts you will be so open. They may be wary of you and your business, but they contacted you because they found something of interest. This is when you provide them with honest answers to all their questions. It is also where you give them that personal attention that they are seeking.

Their state of mind when they contact you is not important. The fact that they made a connection is what matters. The reason for the connection was that they found your personal website and liked something they saw there. They were able to contact you because you provided them with either a phone number, email address, or both.

Do you see how this works? Prospects come to you. You do not have to "beat the streets" or chase your friends and family in order to build your business. This is not yesterday's network marketing, it is the new way. Believe me, it is also the best way. Many of yesterday's methods gave us a bad rap because they were so annoying.

Personal websites and business work well together. Get your own site up soon. It doesn't have to be fancy; just informative. Keep it simple and see what happens. I am sure that you will be pleased with the results. Remember to advertise your website and tell your friends about it. You cannot just build it and hope they will come.

Pay for a web designer or do it yourself? Can small business owners really design a website or is it a job for the pro's?

Most consumers look on the internet before going to a store. Sometimes it is their only stop: they research, compare and buy online. It goes without saying then that for a small business to reach its potential market, it should have an internet presence.

Small business operators do not often have a dedicated IT person on staff - in the past this is the person who would be given the job of building a website. It's great news then that there are now beginner-friendly website building packages on the market which are perfect for the small business person's use.

Data is entered into your web pages as one would using a word processor - with modern easy to use web builders, there is no need to know any html whatsoever.

The tutorials provided with almost all software suppliers take the novice through the process of building a website in a non-technical, easy to understand way. Having completed the tutorial, one is equipped with more than enough knowledge to launch straight into a website build.

Not all website software programs are easy to use. Small business operators do not need fully blown web design industry solutions due to the steep learning curve. One feature to look for is a WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) editor. This simply means you type on the page as you see it.

There are expenses involved in publishing your own website - you get nothing for nothing. Apart from the cost of the software (there are free web builders however they are more difficult to use or too basic in features), a small business (or an individual or a large company) will need to register a domain name (less than $10) and find a web hosting service (around $8 per month).

Businesses should also set up a merchant's account from an organization like Paypal (free). Having a third party handle financial transactions is always reassuring for consumers and takes away an administration burden. When an item has been ordered via your website and paid for, Paypal advises you, with delivery instructions so that you can fulfill the order or if it is an electronic delivery, this part can be automated.

In any small business time is money, and the time spent learning a new skill like website building with easy to use software must be seen as a good investment. It is possible to build multiple websites so that you can have a website network feeding a central business. This is ideal for multi-brand retailers and multi-branch operators. This degree of control will reap rewards as your business grows and you build different websites to cater to changing needs.

Because you have built and are managing your website yourself, you are able to instantly react to changing trends and new opportunities. Avoid delays by not having to wait for your webmaster to make changes. Fresh content on your website is highly desirable.

Some website programs are specifically designed to assist the business person become an internet business marketer, and as your knowledge of web design grows, the more you will value search engine optimization and site map generation tools. Having a correctly designed site map helps search engines easily match your site to search requests.

If you decide to look at other ways to earn money through your website without doing a thing, you will no doubt look at including on your site some affiliate marketing and advertisements from non compete companies.

Features to look for:

Ideally you will have an instructional video, help desk support and forums. Look for testimonials from other business owners to see how they have applied the software.

Getting started is the next step once you arrive at the conclusion that a website is no longer a luxury - it is essential!