Sometimes, tech jargon can be confusing, so we’ve put together a handy glossary of terms related to website design, hosting, graphic design, and SEO. If you come across a word or phrase you don’t recognize, check here—or let us know, and we’ll happily add it. Our goal is to make this a useful resource for you!
Whether you’re launching your first site or managing updates to an existing one, understanding the tech jargon can make all the difference. This glossary breaks down the most common web terms into plain, simple language—so you can feel more confident in conversations about your website and make informed decisions without getting lost in the lingo.
ADA compliant means a website meets accessibility standards for users with disabilities.
It ensures inclusivity and avoids potential legal issues while improving usability for all.
A text box at the top of a web browser where users can enter a website’s URL to access it.
The address bar is used for navigating to specific web pages and often doubles as a search bar for finding information online.
The server-side development focusing on databases, scripting, and website architecture that users do not see directly.
It powers the functionality of a website, enabling features like user accounts, databases, and server logic.
The amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time.
Higher bandwidth allows for faster data transfer, improving website performance and user experience.
The percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing only one page.
A high bounce rate could indicate poor user experience, irrelevant content, or slow loading times.
Brand guidelines are a set of rules for maintaining consistency in a brand’s visual and messaging elements.
They ensure a cohesive brand identity across all platforms and materials.
A stylesheet language used to describe the presentation of a document written in HTML or XML.
CSS controls the visual appearance of a website, including layouts, colors, and fonts, enhancing user experience.
A content management system (CMS) is software that allows users to create, manage, and modify website content without needing specialized technical knowledge.
It is used to simplify website management by providing tools for editing, organizing, and publishing content through an intuitive interface.
Small pieces of data stored on a user’s device by the web browser while browsing a website.
Cookies are used to remember information about the user, such as login status or preferences, improving the browsing experience.
A dated design is a website that looks old or out of sync with current trends.
It can reduce credibility and make your brand seem outdated to potential clients.
A dedicated IP is an exclusive internet address assigned to a specific website.
It improves performance, enhances security, and is essential for some e-commerce functions.
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet, like www.example.com.
It makes it easy for users to find your site without needing to remember a complicated IP address.
eCommerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services online.
It allows businesses to reach a global audience and generate sales 24/7.
An email address is a unique identifier used to send and receive electronic messages, like name@example.com.
It provides a professional and reliable way for people to communicate with you or your business.
An email client program is software used to send, receive, and manage email.
It organizes email communications and often provides advanced tools for productivity.
The practice of producing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for a website or web application so that a user can see and interact with them directly.
It ensures that the visual and interactive aspects of a website are user-friendly and function correctly across different devices and browsers.
A developer skilled in both front-end and back-end development, capable of handling all aspects of website creation.
Full-stack developers can oversee the entire development process, ensuring seamless integration between the front-end and back-end.
A reference in a document that links to another section of the same document or to another document entirely.
Hyperlinks facilitate easy navigation between different pieces of content, enhancing the interconnected nature of the web.
The standard markup language used to create and structure content on the web.
HTML is the foundation of all web pages, defining the structure and layout of a webpage.
A programming language that enables interactive web pages and is an essential part of web applications.
JavaScript adds interactivity to websites, improving user engagement and functionality.
Load time is the amount of time it takes for a webpage to fully display on a user’s browser.
Faster load times improve user experience and can positively impact search engine rankings.
A logo is a visual symbol representing a company, often including its name or a unique design.
It’s the cornerstone of your brand identity and helps with recognition and trust.
Snippets of text that describe a page’s content; they don’t appear on the page itself but in the page’s code.
Meta tags help search engines understand the content of a page, influencing SEO and how pages are displayed in search results.
A registrar is a company that manages the reservation of domain names on the internet.
They ensure your domain is active, secure, and properly registered for public use.
A web design approach that ensures a website looks and functions well on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
With mobile traffic making up the majority of web usage, a responsive design ensures your website reaches and engages all users effectively.
A search engine is a tool like Google or Bing that helps users find information online.
It’s the primary way most users discover websites and online content.
The page displayed by a search engine in response to a user’s query, listing relevant results.
Appearing prominently on SERPs increases visibility and can drive more traffic to a website.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results.
It drives more organic traffic to your site, helping you reach your target audience effectively.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that encrypts data between a website and its users
It protects sensitive information and builds trust by showing your site is secure.
A Uniform Resource Locator, URL, is the unique web address used to identify and locate a specific resource on the internet. For example, https://fullscopecreative.com is a URL.
A URL directs web browsers to the exact location of a webpage, file, or service on a server.
The overall experience of a person using a website or application, focusing on ease of use and satisfaction.
Good UX design leads to higher user satisfaction, retention, and conversion rates.
The space where interactions between humans and machines occur, particularly the visual elements of a website or application.
Effective UI design makes navigation intuitive, enhancing the overall user experience.
A username is a unique identifier used to log into accounts or systems.
It helps secure and personalize access to online tools and platforms.
A web browser is software used to access and display websites.
It translates the code behind websites into the visual pages users interact with.
A service that provides storage space and access for websites on the internet.
Without web hosting, a website cannot be accessed by users on the internet.
Website hosting is the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible online.
Without hosting, your website wouldn’t be available to visitors on the internet.
A visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website or application.
Wireframes help in planning the layout and functionality of a site before full-scale development begins.
The WordPress admin section is the backend area where you manage your website’s content, settings, and features.
It’s the control center for keeping your WordPress site updated and functional.
A WordPress system update installs the latest core software enhancements and fixes.
It keeps your site secure, compatible with plugins, and running efficiently.
We appreciate the terrific work Full Scope Creative has done for us in a short amount of time. The process to switch over to went very well! The turnaround time on dealing with our requests has been stellar. He trained our production assistant to handle our blog posts, after much had changed in Word Press. Chris is easy to reach- requests do not go into a black hole. 🙂
