Hey there!
If you’ve just started learning web development, one of the biggest “a-ha!” moments is understanding how websites actually work. You open your browser, type in a URL, and boom — a beautiful page loads. But what’s really happening behind the scenes?
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how websites work using the client-server architecture — the foundation of everything you build online.
New here?
If you’re brand new to web development, check out my earlier article:
2. Static vs Dynamic Websites: What They Are and Why It Matters
It lays the groundwork and helps you understand the broader picture before diving into the technical details of how websites work.
I’m Irshad, and here at Learn with Code, we love helping beginners go from curious learners to confident developers. Let’s break it down.
What Actually Happens When You Visit a Website?
Let’s say you open your browser and go to https://learnwithcode.in. Simple, right?
Here’s what really happens behind the scenes:
1. You Type a URL (Client Initiates the Request)
Your browser (like Chrome or Firefox) acts as the client. You type in https://learnwithcode.in and hit Enter. That’s your first step in a process called a request.
2. DNS Finds the Website’s Address
Behind the scenes, your browser asks something called the DNS (Domain Name System) to find the IP address for learnwithcode.in. Think of DNS as the internet’s phonebook.
learnwithcode.in→172.67.218.52(for example)
3. The Request Is Sent to the Server
Now that your browser knows where to go, it sends an HTTP request to the server where learnwithcode.in is hosted.
This request says something like:
“Hey server, I’m looking for your homepage (index.html). Can you send it over?”
4. The Server Responds
The server (basically a powerful computer running 24/7) receives your request and responds with:
- The HTML structure of the page
- CSS styles to make it look nice
- JavaScript files to add interaction
- Images, fonts, and other content
5. Your Browser Renders the Page
Your browser puts it all together and displays the full webpage — just like what you see when you open Learn with Code.
That entire round trip usually happens in less than a second!
What Are Clients and Servers Exactly?
Let’s break them down a bit more.
Client = You (Your Browser)
- Sends requests to websites
- Displays pages and handles interaction
- Runs JavaScript on your machine
Server = The Website’s Brain
- Receives requests from browsers
- Stores website files and databases
- Sends responses with content
At Learn with Code, our server handles requests from thousands of users each day, sending back tutorials, contact forms, and blog posts — all through this client-server dance.
Frontend vs Backend: Who Does What?
| Part | What It Does | Common Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Frontend | What users see (UI, layout) | HTML, CSS, JavaScript |
| Backend | What users don’t see (logic, data) | Node.js, PHP, Python |
| Database | Stores data like blog posts, users | MongoDB, MySQL |
When you submit a contact form on learnwithcode.in, for example:
- The frontend collects your input.
- The backend processes and stores it.
- The database saves it for later use.
Real Example: Visiting LearnWithCode.in
Here’s how it looks in real life:
- You type:
https://learnwithcode.in - DNS finds the IP address
- Browser sends request to server
- Server responds with HTML, CSS, JS
- Browser displays tutorials, blog posts, contact forms
And if you click on a blog post? Another request goes to the server for that specific content!
Why Should You Learn This?
Understanding how websites work helps you become a better developer.
When you know what happens behind the scenes:
- You write cleaner, faster code
- You debug issues more easily
- You can build both static and dynamic websites with confidence
Quick Recap
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | User types in a URL |
| 2 | Browser looks up IP with DNS |
| 3 | HTTP request goes to server |
| 4 | Server sends back files |
| 5 | Browser renders the page |
Final Thoughts
Web development isn’t just about writing code — it’s about understanding systems and how they work together. Now that you understand the basics of how websites work, you’re already ahead of most beginners.
Whether you’re viewing a static portfolio or a full-featured web app, every site follows this client-server model.
You’re on the right path — and at Learn with Code, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Let’s build something awesome together!
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