What is a URL? Reading a website address
A URL is an address identifying a resource, such as a webpage or image. A typical website URL combines a scheme such as https, a hostname and a path. It can also contain a query or a fragment. Those extra parts can change what opens, so the complete address matters when reporting a fault.
Useful context
- Use a public page on your own website as the example.
- Avoid copying checkout, password-reset or private file links into public messages.
How it works
Start with the scheme and hostname
In https://example.co.uk/menu, https describes the secure web connection and example.co.uk is the hostname. Read the whole hostname carefully. A familiar business name appearing elsewhere in a long address does not establish that the link belongs to that business.
Read the path
The /menu part identifies a resource within the site’s address structure. Paths can be case-sensitive, and changing a word can lead somewhere different or produce a missing page. Copy the exact public address when asking someone to investigate a particular section.
Notice queries and fragments
A question mark starts a query, often used for filters or options. A hash can identify a place within the page. These are not necessarily errors or extra domains. However, some links use query values as access tokens, so inspect private links before sharing them.
Check the destination after navigation
A link may redirect to another address. Once it loads, check the address bar and expected content together. If reporting a redirect problem, record both the original public link and where it ended, while removing any sensitive account information.
What to check
- The hostname is the intended business or service.
- The page path identifies the problem clearly.
- A shared link contains no private access token.
Sources and further reading
Platform features can change. Check the provider’s current guidance before changing a live service.