Have you ever wondered whether to write web site or website? Both spellings appear in English, so it is easy to see why writers get confused.
The answer is simple: website is the preferred spelling in modern English. It is written as one word and is the best choice for blog posts, emails, school assignments, and business documents.
Web site is an older alternative that you may still find in some publications.
Both forms have the same basic meaning. The main difference is spelling and modern usage.
Quick Answer:
Website is the standard modern spelling. Write it as one word, without a space or hyphen.
- Website: The preferred modern spelling.
- Web site: An older alternative spelling.
- Web-site: Generally unnecessary in modern writing.
Example: I found a useful website for my English assignment.
If you are unsure which form to choose, use website. It is widely recognized and suitable for most writing situations.
Why Did Web Site Become Website?
The word website combines web and site. Here, web refers to the World Wide Web, while site means a place or location.
When the World Wide Web was new, writers often used Web site as two words. Over time, the one-word spelling became more common.
In April 2010, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook announced that it would change Web site to website. The new spelling appeared in its online style guide that day and in the 2010 print edition, released in June.
You can read about the announcement in Writer’s Write’s report on the AP Stylebook. The Johns Hopkins Gazette’s note to readers also explains the move from Web site to website following the AP style change.
This was a change in the AP’s editorial style, not a rule that suddenly made every other spelling incorrect. Today, website remains the preferred choice for most modern writing.
What Is the Difference Between Web Site and Website?
The difference is mainly spelling. Both forms refer to an online location where people can find information, read articles, watch videos, or use services.
| Feature | Website | Web site |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | One word | Two words |
| Meaning | An online collection of related pages | The same basic meaning |
| Modern usage | Preferred | Older alternative |
| Best choice for new content | Yes | Usually unnecessary |
Consider these examples:
- Preferred: I visited the company’s website to check its services.
- Older variant: I visited the company’s web site to check its services.
Both sentences are understandable, but the first follows modern common usage.
For new content, choose website and use it consistently. If you are quoting an older text or following a publication’s specific style guide, you may need to preserve the alternative spelling.
What Does Website Mean?
A website is a collection of related web pages that people can access through the internet. A website usually has a web address, and its pages may contain text, images, videos, links, or interactive features.
People use websites for many reasons. A school may share admission requirements online. A company may display its products and services. A news organization may publish articles and reports.
Here are some common examples:
- Educational website: Provides lessons, study materials, and learning resources.
- Business website: Shares information about a company and its services.
- E-commerce website: Allows customers to browse and buy products.
- News website: Publishes news stories and updates.
- Entertainment website: Offers videos, games, music, or other content.
- Personal website: Shares an individual’s work, interests, or portfolio.
The spelling stays the same regardless of the website’s purpose.
How to Use Website in a Sentence
The word website is a noun. You can use it when talking about an online resource, a business’s online presence, or a collection of related web pages.
Everyday use
- What is the name of that website?
- I found the recipe on a website.
- Please send me the website address.
Education
- The teacher recommended a website for grammar practice.
- I used a trusted website for my research.
- The university website provides admission details.
Business
- Our company launched a new website.
- Customers can order products through our website.
- Please check the website for updated prices.
Technology
- The website works well on mobile phones.
- The developer updated the website’s design.
- We need to fix an error on the website.
In each example, website is written as one word.
Website, Websites, or Website’s?
These forms look similar, but they have different grammatical uses.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Website | Singular noun | This website is helpful. |
| Websites | Plural noun | I compared three websites. |
| Website’s | Possessive or contraction (website is/has) | The website’s design is simple. |
Use websites when talking about more than one website. Use website’s to show possession or to form a contraction.
- Possession: The website’s design is simple.
- Contraction: The website’s getting a redesign. (The website is getting a redesign.)
Do not add an apostrophe simply to make the word plural. For example, “I compared three websites” is correct.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using Web Site in New Writing
The two-word form is an older alternative, but website is the better choice for most new articles and documents.
Instead of “I created a web site for my business,” write “I created a website for my business.”
2. Adding an Unnecessary Hyphen
Avoid web-site in ordinary modern writing. Use website instead.
3. Mixing Both Spellings
Using website in one paragraph and web site in another can make your writing inconsistent. Choose one form and follow it throughout the document.
4. Confusing Websites With Web Pages
A website is a collection of related pages, while a web page is an individual page within that collection.
For example, a university website may contain separate pages for admissions, courses, and contact details. Each is a web page within the larger website.
FAQs
Is web site or website correct?
Website is the preferred modern spelling. Web site is an older alternative that may still appear in some publications. For most writing, use website.
Is website one word or two?
Website is one word. Write it without a space or hyphen.
Does site mean website?
In an internet context, site is often used as a shorter form of website. However, site can also refer to a physical location, so its meaning depends on the context.
Is web-site correct?
Web-site is generally not the preferred modern spelling. Use website unless a specific style guide or historical source requires otherwise.
Is website the same in American and British English?
Website is widely used in both American and British English. It is the recommended choice for general modern writing in either variety.
What is the plural of website?
The plural is websites. For example: “These websites provide useful information for students.”
Conclusion
When choosing between web site and website, use website. It is the preferred modern spelling and the best choice for most academic, professional, and everyday writing.
The older form web site has the same basic meaning, but it is usually unnecessary in new content. Avoid the hyphenated form web-site as well.
Remember one simple rule: write website as one word.
