Web Design Terminology

HTML

Hypertext markup language used to construct a webpage, made up of tags/elements.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheets that determine how HTML elements are displayed, focusing on web design aesthetics.

PHP

Programming language for web development designed to extend HTML's capabilities without replacing it.

CMS

Content Management System that allows users to create websites without coding from scratch.

SEO

Search Engine Optimization that enhances a website's visibility on search engines through keyword ranking.

Hero

A large image that captures attention, often taking up the full screen of a website.

Promo area

A designated space on a webpage to promote a specific product, service, or brand.

Exit page

The last page a viewer sees during an active session on a website.

Landing page

A webpage opened after clicking an ad, which can be standalone.

Drop-down

An element that expands to provide a list of options for users to choose from.

Input field

An element allowing users to enter information in various forms like sliders or text fields.

Optimization

The process of enhancing a website's functionality and efficiency.

White space

The blank space surrounding elements on a page, including margins.

Style guide

A resource that compiles design decisions for a webpage.

Comp/mock-up UI

A visual representation of a webpage demonstrating the final design.

UX

User experience, the journey a user has with a product/service on a webpage.

Wireframe

A skeletal framework of a website showing its structure and user flow.

Branding

The process of creating a unique identity for a business to attract a target audience.

.psd

The file extension for a Photoshop document used in web design.

.eps

The file extension for an encapsulated postscript file, storing high-quality graphics information.

.ai

File extension associated with artificial intelligence, used for building websites.

.jpg

The file extension for a joint photographic graphic file, using lossy compression for images.

.gif

Graphic interchange format for short looped animations made from multiple frames.

.png

Portable network graphic file, a lossless image format commonly used online.

.swf

Small web format that contains animation, video, and audio in a compressed format.

Server

Software/hardware that stores, processes, and displays web content upon client requests.

Client

A device used to access servers, such as a phone or laptop.

Host

A service that stores a website's data on a server for user access.

ISP

Internet Service Provider, a company that offers web access and services to users.

XML

Extensible markup language similar to HTML but without predetermined tags for defining data.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol, a standard for transferring files between hosts over a network.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol, the foundation for loading and transferring web pages.

HTML Editor

A software program used to create HTML for websites or web documents.

Internet

A vast network enabling communication between computers and access to web pages.

World Wide Web (WWW)

An information system interconnecting public web pages accessible on the internet.

Web page

A single HTML document displayed by a browser.

Web Site

A collection of web pages identifiable by a single domain name.

IP address

A unique code assigned by an ISP to identify devices accessing the internet.

DNS

Domain Name System that converts domain names into IP addresses for browser access.

Domain Name

The part of a web address that identifies a website for client access.

URL

The address of a resource on the internet, essentially a link.

Web Server

A computer system that processes and delivers web content via HTTP.

Index page

The home page of a website.

Web Host

A service that allocates space on a web server for a website's files.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transferred between servers and users over the internet.

Protocol

A set of rules governing data exchange and communication for proper site functionality.

Auto Responders SMTP

Pre-written emails automatically sent to subscribed addresses.

POP

Point of Presence, a physical location for high-speed internet connections; also refers to Post Office Protocol for email facilitation.