Web Design & Development Glossary

A 301 redirect permanently moves visitors and search engines from one URL to another. For example, if a website page URL changes, a 301 redirect automatically sends users to the new page.

Accessibility is the practice of designing websites so they can be easily accessed and used by everyone, including people with disabilities.

An ADA audit evaluates a website to check if it meets accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

ADA code refers to specific coding practices and techniques used to ensure a website meets accessibility standards.

ADA monitoring involves continuously checking a website to ensure it remains compliant with accessibility standards over time.

ADA remediation is the process of fixing accessibility issues on a website to meet compliance standards.

ADA WCAG compliant means a website adheres to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring accessibility for users with disabilities.

Artificial Intelligence involves computers or software performing tasks typically done by humans, like answering questions through chatbots or recommending products based on user activity.

Alt text is a brief description of an image, helping visually impaired users understand the content through screen readers.

Analytics are tools that gather data about visitors’ interactions with a website, providing insights to help improve user experience. A popular tool is Google Analytics.

Backend involves the hidden aspects of a website that manage data storage, website functionality, and interactions behind the scenes.

Bounce rate measures the percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page, indicating engagement levels.

A Call to Action is a specific button, link, or phrase prompting users to take a desired action, such as “Subscribe Now,” “Learn More,” or “Buy Now.”

A CDN is a group of servers distributed globally that work together to deliver web content quickly to users based on their geographic location.

A CMS is software that lets users manage and update website content easily without needing coding skills. Popular examples include WordPress and Joomla.

Content refers to all text, images, videos, and audio that appear on a website, such as blog articles, product descriptions, or instructional videos.

Conversion rate measures the percentage of website visitors who complete specific actions, like buying a product or signing up for a newsletter.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a coding language used to control the style, layout, and appearance of websites, such as colors, fonts, and spacing.

Custom design refers to creating a unique website tailored specifically to a client’s requirements, rather than using a pre-made template.

Design is the process of planning and creating the visual aspects of a website, such as colors, layout, images, and typography, to enhance user experience.

Development refers to the coding and technical work required to build a functional website, including programming interactive elements and ensuring the site works correctly.

A domain name is the web address you type into your browser to visit a website. For example, “facebook.com” is a domain name.

A footer is the bottom section of a web page, often including links, copyright details, and contact information.

Frontend refers to the visible parts of a website that users interact with directly, such as buttons, text, images, and navigation menus.

A header is the top area of a webpage, typically containing the website’s logo, main navigation menu, and sometimes search bars or social media links.

A hero banner is a large, visually appealing section at the top of a webpage, designed to quickly capture attention and communicate important information or calls to action.

The homepage is the primary page visitors see first when accessing a website. It usually offers a summary of what the site contains and links to other important pages.

Web hosting is a service that stores your website’s files on a server, making it available online. Companies like Bluehost or GoDaddy provide hosting services.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the basic coding language used to create and structure the content on web pages.

JavaScript is a programming language used to add interactivity and dynamic features to web pages, like animations, form validation, and pop-up messages.

Mobile-first design is an approach where websites are designed for mobile devices first, then scaled up for larger screens.

A mockup is a detailed, visual representation of how a website will look once it’s fully designed, including colors, images, typography, and layout.

A navigation menu is a collection of links on a website that helps visitors move easily between pages and sections.

An overlay is a visual element that appears over existing web page content, commonly used for pop-up messages, forms, or alerts.

A prototype is an interactive model of a website that allows users and designers to test and refine features before the final version is developed.

Responsive design ensures websites adapt to different screen sizes and devices like smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.

A robots.txt file tells search engine crawlers which pages or files they can or cannot access on a website.

A sidebar is a vertical area next to the main content of a page, typically used for additional navigation links or useful information.

A staging site is a private, test version of a website where developers and website owners can review and finalize changes before the site is published publicly.

Static content refers to fixed content that doesn’t change often, such as basic text and images on a webpage.

A template is a pre-designed webpage layout that simplifies the process of creating a website. Users can add their own content and images to these templates.

A theme is a pre-built design framework for websites, providing a consistent appearance across pages.

A URL is the complete address used to visit a specific web page.

A web page is a single page or document within a website.

A website is a collection of pages connected together and made available on the internet.

A wireframe is a basic 2-dimensional sketch or outline of a website or app.

WYSIWYG refers to editors or tools that display content exactly as it will appear on the final website, simplifying the editing process.

An XML sitemap is a file that lists all important pages on a website, helping search engines understand the site’s structure.