Internet and website terminology can be daunting, even for professionals. The following is a glossary of commonly used terms and their meanings.
Affiliate Marketing is another term for CPA Advertising. This is a form of advertising where the advertiser pays based on specified actions taken by the end user. Some examples would be filling out a form after clicking on the ad or purchasing a product after clicking on the ad.
Pictures or words that move on the screen. Caution: Using too much animation becomes annoying and can cripple the performance of your website.
Website advertising which uses animation to attract people's interest. Ads will contain a link to either a different section of the website or a different website altogether. Caution: The effectiveness of paid banner advertising is somewhat unproven.
A blog (a contraction of the term weblog) is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order.
A website which replicates a printed brochure, in that the content is purely static. Often implemented as a business's first web presence.
A web browser is a software application which enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music, games and other information typically located on a web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network.
A method of storing certain commonly used files such as components of a website so that when your computer needs to look it up again, it will load faster. Your computer caches websites on a normal basis and also caches commonly used files so it doesn't have to spend a lot of time searching.
A cookie is a very small text file placed on your hard drive by a web page server to remember user preferences, shopping cart contents, the identifier for a server based session, or other data used by websites. It is essentially your identification card, and cannot be executed as code and it cannot deliver viruses. It is uniquely yours and can only be read by the server that gave it to you.
The process of updating the content (word and pictures) on a website. There are several options available for this, ranging from paying someone (either an hourly rate or set contract fee), to doing it yourself using a fully blown Content Management system. These systems can be expensive to implement, and most have limitations on what you can change. Changes to page layout or navigation still need to be done by a web designer. The right option for you will depend on what needs to change and how often. This should be decided near the beginning of the project, as it impacts how your site is designed and built.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a style sheet language used to describe the presentation (that is, the look and formatting) of a document written in a markup language. Its most common application is to style web pages written in HTML and XHTML, but the language can be applied to any kind of XML document, including SVG and XUL.
A unique name (www.mycompany.com) which people use to access your website. Having your own domain name is highly recommended as it helps to raise your organization's profile. You can use it for your website and email (info@mycompany.com), regardless of who your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or website hosting company is, either now or in the future.
Website content (words and pictures) which is updated either by an automatic process, or as a result of input from a site visitor (search results, login, etc). Either way, some form of programming is required to enable this. Implementing a website with dynamic rather than static content is more costly, but can greatly enhance your website's functionality.
An e-book (short for electronic book, also written eBook or ebook) is an e-text that forms the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book, often protected with a digital rights management system. E-books are usually read on personal computers or smart phones, or on dedicated hardware devices known as e-book readers or e-book devices. Many mobile phones can also be used to read e-books.
Electronic Commerce, commonly known as (electronic marketing) e-commerce or eCommerce, consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks.
Also known as a website icon, shortcut icon, url icon, or bookmark icon is an icon associated with a particular website or webpage. A web designer can create such an icon and install it into a website (or webpage) by several means, and most graphical web browsers will then make use of it. Browsers that provide favicon support typically display a page's favicon in the browser's URL bar and next to the page's name in a list of bookmarks. Browsers that support a tabbed document interface typically show a page's favicon next to the page's title.
Are also known as bookmarks, this is a menu item in your web browser that lets you save web links to pages that you'd like to visit again.
A security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attack from crackers; commonly used on local area networks that are connected to the internet
FTP is an abbreviation of File Transfer Protocol. This is the usual method of uploading files from your computer to your web hosting server.
Graphic designers are professionals experienced in the art of graphic design, which is the creation of images for things such as:
- Business cards
- Clothing
- Display banners
- Logos
- Websites
Two major graphics editors are Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Fireworks. Web graphics are quite different than for print. For print, quality must be the best possible. For websites, there is always a trade off between quality and the speed of loading an image onto a computer screen. Colors are also more limited. Make sure your graphic designer has experience with creating web graphics.
Your website consists of a number of files which must be stored on a computer (file server) connected to the Internet. Hosting is a service whereby you "rent" space on a file server owned by a hosting company. It is their responsibility to ensure your website is accessible worldwide, 24 hours a day. Fees are usually paid monthly or yearly, and vary depending on the size of your website and how it is built. Your hosting company should not be chosen on price alone. Future hosting requirements, support provided, and provision of useful web statistics should also be considered.
HTML, an acronym for Hypertext Markup Language, is the predominant markup language for web pages. It provides a means to describe the structure of text-based information in a document, by denoting certain text as links, headings, paragraphs, lists, etc., and to supplement that text with interactive forms, embedded images, and other objects.
Website links which, when clicked, take you to another area of the same website or to another website entirely. Hyperlinks can be applied to text, images or buttons. Hyperlinked text is usually underlined or highlighted in some way. All hyperlinks show as a hand when you position the mouse over them.
Interactive websites are those which allow visitors to perform tasks and get a response from the website, rather than just view information. Common examples of this are:
- Buying products
- Registering for a newsletter
- Searching for information
IP stands for Internet Protocol. An IP Address is a unique number used by computers and other devices to identify and communicate with each other on a network. Routers, computers, printers, internet fax machines, and some telephones will each have their own IP address.
An ISP provides you with access to the Internet either by dialing up through their server, or with a direct connection. There are a large number of ISPs offering different plans at different rates. Most ISPs provide services such as email and web hosting. Some even provide free space for a personal web page. This is not usually suitable for business purposes. You do not have to host your website with your ISP.
A scripting language most often used for client-side web development. It was the originating dialect of the ECMAScript standard. It is a dynamic, weakly typed, prototype-based language with first class functions. The primary use of JavaScript is to write functions that are embedded in or included from HTML pages and interact with the Document Object Model (DOM) of the page.
Some simple examples of this usage are:
- Opening or popping up a new window with programmatic control over the size, position, and attributes of the new window (i.e. whether the menus, toolbars, etc. are visible).
- Changing images as the mouse cursor moves over them: This effect is often used to draw the user's attention to important links displayed as graphical elements.
- Validation of web form input values to make sure that they will be accepted before they are submitted to the server.
To exchange links it means that you have placed another website's link on your web site, usually on a links or resources page, and in return, the other website owner has placed a link on their web site back to your website.
A logo is a graphical element (ideogram, symbol, emblem, icon, sign) that, together with its logotype (a uniquely set and arranged typeface) form a trademark or commercial brand. Typically, a logo's design is for immediate recognition. The logo is one aspect of a company's commercial brand, or economic or academic entity, and its shapes, colors, fonts, and images usually are different from others in a similar market.
Navigation is your visitors means of finding their way around your website. With well planned navigation, your visitor can quickly and easily find what they are looking for. By most developer opinions, it can be even more important than the actual content of your website. Various navigation methods can be used, depending on the nature of the site, including:
- Dropdown menus: enabling visitors to go directly to a topic which they would otherwise have to click through several pages to get to
- Hyperlinks: text or images throughout the main site content, taking you to other pages
- Page links: buttons or text, usually along the top or left
- Site maps: like an index, ideal for large sites.
Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format created by Adobe Systems for document exchange. PDF is used for representing two dimensional documents in a manner independent of the application software, hardware, and operating system.
PHP is a scripting language originally designed for producing dynamic web pages. It has evolved to include a command line interface capability and can be used in standalone graphical applications.
Programs that enable you to search the Internet for websites using specific words or phrases. Some popular search engines are Google, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Alta Vista, and Ask. All engines work differently and are changing constantly, so you will notice different results when you enter the same information into different engines.
Search Engine Marketing, (SEM), is promoting a website through a search engine, either through paid listings, or getting one's site higher search engine rankings through other means.
As more websites are created around the world, the chances of your site appearing near the top of a search results list becomes less likely, depending on how much competition you have on the Internet. Some companies specialize in promoting your site via search engines. Whether it is worthwhile to pay for their services or not, depends on the nature of your website, and who and where your expected site visitors are.
Search Engine Optimization, (SEO), is the process of optimizing one's website to get better results in search engines. Among other things, this involves building key words and phrases into the site which aren't seen by visitors.
As more websites are created around the world, the chances of your site appearing near the top of a search results list becomes less likely, depending on how much competition you have on the Internet. Some companies specialize in promoting your site via search engines. Whether it is worthwhile to pay for their services or not, depends on the nature of your website, and who and where your expected site visitors are.
Search engine registration is the act of registering your website with a number of search engines, either locally and/or internationally. Knowing which engines to register with, to target your audience, is half the battle. Registering with any engine doesn't guarantee that your site will show in the results list. Some allow you to register for free, while others make you pay.
Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to collect information about a user, their computer or browsing habits without the user's informed consent.
Website content (words and pictures) which is updated manually, as opposed to dynamic content. Implementing a website with static content is generally quite cost effective, and suits websites where information isn't expected to change often, such as a brochure website.
A URL is the web address of a particular website. For example, "http://www.jendee.net" is the URL of the Jendee Web Design Services website.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web (abbreviated WWW or W3). It is arranged as a consortium where member organizations maintain full time staff for the purpose of working together in the development of standards for the World Wide Web.
Web designers are professionals experienced in the art of website design. Their services vary, but will include some or all of the following:
- Content formation
- Designing and building web pages
- Designing and creating web graphics
- Digital photography
- Discussing and analyzing your requirements
- Domain name registration
- Planning site structure
- Programming for interactive websites
- Search engine optimization and registration
- Website analysis
- Web hosting setup
- Website maintenance
Web developers are generally more technical than web designers. Although their skills do overlap, developers tend to specialize more in programming for interactive websites. If your website requires a database of information that visitors can search on, you will probably need a web developer.
Web graphics are used to enhance the look of websites. Text on websites can only be displayed in a limited number of fonts, so if you want to jazz it up, you need to turn that text into a graphic image. Other web graphics include photos, pictures, buttons, navigation menus, banner ads, animations.
It is possible for anyone to take a photo with a digital camera, or scan in a digital image. However, these images will usually need to be edited and resized for use on the web, to ensure they still look good and are quick to load.
Web graphics are generally created by a web designer or graphic designer.
Web statistics are reports which give you information on your site's usage. The report format and information varies between hosting companies, but should include things like:
- Errors encountered by visitors (e.g. pages not found)
- Most / least visited pages
- Number of hits on your site
- Number of unique visitors
- Pages visited
- Search engines / key words successfully used to find your site
- Visitor entry / exit points
Look for web statistics that will show you a trend (i.e. time of day, day of week, history over several months). Statistics shown in graph format are easier to interpret for this. Some hosting companies display demo or sample statistics on their websites, so you can check out what you will get before you sign up.
Website maintenance refers to ongoing changes to a site once it is published on the Internet. As things change in your organization, your website must be updated to reflect the changes. There is nothing more harmful to your credibility than having outdated information on the Internet for all the world to see.
Maintenance must be planned for in the early stages of your project. The right option for you will depend on what needs to change and how often. If website maintenance is to be provided by your web designer, an hourly rate or contract fee should be discussed and agreed on.
For website owners, promotion of the site is important. There is no point having a brilliant website if no one knows it exists. Apart from search engine optimization and registration, it is advisable to promote your website through traditional methods, such as:
- Brochures
- Building and vehicle signage
- Classified ads
- Directory and yellow page listings
- Email auto signatures
- Links to and from other websites
- Magazines and industry related publications
- Press releases
- Promotional material (t-shirts, calendars, etc)
- Stationery (business cards, letterhead, etc)
- Word of mouth (staff, customers, suppliers, friends, family).
Pronounced "wiziwig", an acronym for What You See Is What You Get, is used to describe software where the content that you see during editing is very similar to the end result.
Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML) is a markup language that can do everything that HTML does, but it has a stricter syntax. XHTML 1.0 became a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Recommendation on January 26, 2000.
