25 Web Design Definitions You Need to Know

Design Definitions List

One.

404

This is an error a user will see when they reach a page that does not exist. This type of error usually occurs because your website is trying to access something that was deleted or a user typed in an incorrect URL.

Two.

Algorithm

An algorithm is a set of steps that will carry out specific tasks. In the computer programming world, it’s a process that is written by code to help solve problems. For example, an algorithm was created to rank websites on search engines by using a set of codes to properly rate websites.

Four.

Backend

The term backend refers to all of the pages on a website that users cannot see. This includes things like servers, operating systems, and databases.

Five.

Call To Action (CTA)

A Call to Action is a specific image, item or text that is used to persuade a user to take an expected action such as “Sign up for our newsletter” or “Download this file”.

Six.

Content Management Stystem (CMS)

A Content Management System is a software that helps users manage, create and modify content without having to know lengthy code such as JavaScript or HTML. If you don’t use a CMS for your website, you would have to create your own system for storing web pages, images and videos, which is a lot of work.

Seven.

Cookies

Cookies are small files stored on a computer that contain information about a client. This includes information like how they interact with a website, what sections of a website they visit the most and how they like to browse. This allows the server to tailor information sent over to a user.

Eight.

CSS

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheet (CSS). CSS is used to create the feel and look of a website. Recently, CSS has been used to replace older programming languages such as HTML and JavaScript.

Nine.

DNS

DNS stands for Domain Name Servers. It controls your domain name’s website and email. When a user wants to visit your website, the DNS settings help point them to the correct server to make sure they’re landing on the correct website.

Ten.

Domain

The domain is the name of your website. A domain can be up to 63 characters and can be any combinations of letters and numbers. It’s a unique address that once purchased cannot be used by another person unless they purchase the rights to the domain.

Eleven.

Favicon

A Favicon is an icon that represents your website. The favicon is located in the tab browser next to the page name. For example, if you open google in a new tab, you see a colorful G favicon show up next to the name of the website.

Twelve.

Frontend

The frontend is the opposite of the backend and is also known as the User interface. The frontend refers to all the pages a user can see when visiting a website such as Home page, FAQ, About, Contact, Blog, etc.

Thirteen.

Hosting

Hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to rent space on a web server to store website files and make their website accessible to the world.

Fourteen.

HTML

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML is a language used to write and format web pages in a specific way.

Fiveteen.

Hyperlink

A hyperlink a link that takes you from one page to another page. Frequently, you might see a hyperlink located on text or images which are highlighted in some way.

Sixteen.

IP Address

An IP Address is a unique set of numbers that is used to identify a device connected to the internet or an office.

Seventeen.

Landing page

A landing page is the first page that a user lands on when visiting a website.

Eighteen.

Mobile-First

A Mobile-First web-design means that your website is specifically created for smartphone and desktop users simultaneously.

Nineteen.

Navigation

The Navigation refers to the elements on a website that help direct a user through the site. This can often be referred to as a menu and is usually located at the top of the page.

Twenty.

Page Speed

Page speed refers to how long it takes for all your content to load on a web page.

Twenty One.

Page Template

A page template is a unique layout for a page of a website. Usually websites have multiple page templates.

Twenty Two.

Plugin

A plugin is a software that can be installed on a Content Management system that allows you to add various features to your website.

Twenty Three.

Responsive Web Design

Responsive web design is a way of designing a website to include features like flexible images and layouts. The goal is to build a website that can be reflected on any type of device and display the same information.

Twenty Four.

SEO

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. For search engines to find your site, you must be able to present your content in an orderly way to your customers. Search engines search through the pages of your website to find the content relevant to the customers that are searching for it.

Twenty Five.

URL

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locater. It acts as an address that points a user to where on the internet a site is located.

Twenty six.

Cache

Cache refers to a temporary storage location for copies of data and files. In order to make websites load faster, web browsers will cache (or store) images, Javascript, and HTML files. The same process can be applied to DNS and CDN servers.