A client pointed out recently that “Web site” is how the AP Style Manual dictates the proper terminology for what you’re viewing right now. Curiously capitalized, “Web site” is an unwieldy two-word phrase moving toward compound status in the much sleeker and more concise “website.” It just makes good sense. You wouldn’t capitalize “brochure” would you? So why capitalize “Web site”?
It is up to all of us to dictate usage. The AP Style Manual is not Usage God, it is merely Usage Archive, marking the boundaries and storing information for uniform reference. It is not flexible enough to keep pace with the rapidly changing world in which we live. If it were up to the AP Style Manual we’d all still be saying “To-day” and “To-morrow.” So get out there, kids, and make “website” your terminology of choice!