If you’ve worked at all with web design, you may have been quickly mesmerized by the exotic flow of its mother tongue. But probably not. Unless you think that mesmerized means “crazy confused.”
Web design terminology is addled with tech speak that is baffling to all who dare to work with web designers.
And that would be almost all of us.
It’s not the fault of the web designers though. Every industry has its own speak. Hang around with an HVAC guy/gal for a while and you’ll get an earful of confusion. (And maybe a little freon.)
The difference is, most of us don’t have to consult regularly with our HVAC guy/gal. But nearly every business needs to be in contact - to some degree - with their web designer. Especially at the onset of the project. Having a basic grasp of the language will ease them into the knowledge that they’re getting the most from their investment.
The following list of web design terminology is far from a Rosetta Stone for “Tech-ese.”
But if you’re getting ready to embark on a web design adventure, it will help you to better interpret what the designer is suggesting or telling you. And it might just make the world wide web a little less wide. Though, again, probably not.
Here goes.
AJAX
AJAX is the art of exchanging data with a server and then updating parts of a web page without having to reload the whole page. It stands for synchronous JavaScript and XML.
Absolute Link
A link from one web page to another that contains a full URL including all the information needed to find a specific site, page or document.
Accessibility
This is the measure of how accessible your site is to users with disabilities. In this case, disabilities is generally (but not always) in reference to those who are visually- or hearing-impaired. If a website has low accessibility, it will be nearly impossible for those with disabilities to use it.
Back End
The part of the website the user doesn’t see. It usually consists of a server, an application, and a database.
Backlink (aka - In/Inbound/Inward Link)
These are links from other sites back to your own - meaning that someone on another site has chosen to link to your site for some reason. Hopefully because they find your content of value.
Below the Fold
The part of a web page that requires you to scroll down to see it.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of people who leave a site from the same page they entered, and without landing on any other pages.
Content Management System
This is the backend tool for managing a site’s content. Known as CMS, it separates the content from the design and functionality of the site.
Client-side
This term refers to scripts that are run in a viewer’s browser rather than on a web server. They are generally faster to interact with, but can initially take longer to load.
Deprecated
Code that is no longer included in the language specifications usually because it has been replaced with more accessible or efficient alternatives.
FTP
This is the standard network protocol used to transfer computer files from one host to another (File Transfer Protocol).
Favicon
These are the small and customizable icons displayed in the web address bar, located in most browsers next to the web address.
Front End
The front end usually consists of the web design and front end web development. This is the part of the website the user can see.
Graceful Degradation
This refers to a website’s ability to be able to take advantage of the capabilities of newer browsers, but done in a way that allows users with older browsers to still view the site. At least its most basic content. It also applies to the ensuring that if one small portion of your site doesn’t work in someone’s browser, it won’t break your entire site for them. They wouldn't like that.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language is the primary language used to write web pages and is mostly intended as a way to provide content on websites.
Hyperlink
Highlighted text or image that links from one web page to another - either on the same site or another one.
Internal Link
This is a link within the same document and is frequently used to link to a section within the same page.
Keywords
The words or phrase typed into a search engine by someone who’s searching for websites that have similar content.
Keyword Density
This is the measure of how frequently a keyword is used in a web page’s content. For example, if the phrase “monkey’s uncle” is repeated 10 times within 100 words on a web page, it has 10% keyword density.
Landing Page
This is the initial page where a visitor first enters or “lands” on a website.
Markup
This is the term for the code that’s applied to a text document to change it into an HTML, XML, or another Markup Language document.
Meta Data
Information contained in the header that gives data about the web page that a visitor is currently on.
Outbound (External) Link
A link that takes the visitor from your website to another one.
PHP
A server scripting language which is an effective tool for making dynamic and interactive web pages.
Plug-In
The purpose of this bit of third party code is to extend the capabilities of a website without having to redo the core coding of the site.
Progressive Enhancement
A web design strategy that “layers” web technologies, allowing everyone to access the basic content and functionality of a web page while using any browser or internet connection. This strategy takes it one step further, giving those with better bandwidth or more advanced browser software an enhanced version of the page.
Pseudo-element
This is an element that’s incorporated to add a special effect to certain selectors, such as a link.
RSS
Really Simple Syndication is most commonly used on blogs and is a standardized XML format that allows content to be syndicated from one site to another. RSS allows visitors to subscribe to a blog or another site, as well as receive updates via a feed reader.
Relative Link
A relative link specifies the name of the file to be linked to, but only as it relates to the current document.
Resolution
This is the number of pixels displayed on a screen. Display resolution does not refer to the number of pixels or dots per inch on a computer screen, however, and can be altered by changing the resolution of the screen.
SEO
Search Engine Optimization refers to the various ways to achieve higher ranking in search engine results. This can be done by enhancing the content and structure of the pages, incorporating meta tags, and submitting pages proactively to search engines.
Script
Written in a variety of languages, this generally refers to a portion of code on an HTML page that makes the page more dynamic and interactive.
Server-side
Server-side scripts run on a web server as opposed to in a user’s browser. They often take longer to run than a client-side script because each page must reload when an action is taken.
Spiders (aka Crawlers)
Automated software robots that continuously roam the internet for the purpose of indexing collected data.
Tag
Used in HTML documents, these are formatting codes that provide instructions needed by web browsers to properly display web pages.
Template
Often used in conjunction with a CMS, a template is a file used to create a consistent design across a website. It contains both structural information about how a site should be set up, as well as stylistic information about how the site should look.
Usability
The measure of how easy it is for a visitor to use your site in its intended manner.
WYSIWYG
This is a page editing program that allows users to create or modify web pages without any knowledge of HTML or other code. It’s an acronym for, “What You See Is What You Get.”
Web Server
This is the computer that hosts a website and allows web pages to be sent to a user’s web browser.
Web Standards
These are the specifications recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium for standardizing website design - the purpose of which is to make it easier for designers and those who create web browsers to make sites that will appear consistent across platforms.
So there you have it.
Navigating the world of web design can be dicey. Especially if you’re a newbie. Hopefully this list clears things up a little and doesn’t further confuse you.
Just remember that the only thing you really need to know about web design is that it’s done effectively so that your website sells your product and/or generates leads. After all, the ROI is your bottom line.
So don’t worry if you never get a handle on all of the web design terminology.
Interpreters are always available. Just ask any 20-something at the coffeeshop. They’ll clarify for you.
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