Glossary of web design terminology. 35 jargon every web designer must know.

 

 We have to know some terms which will appear time and again. Here is a glossary of terms related to web design.

Term #1. HTML

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. 

Web designers use HTML to tell the website how to treat a text, image, etc. on the website. For example, a sentence with a heading tag becomes the heading. Had we put the same text with the paragraph tag, the website would treat it as a paragraph. If we use the same sentence with the anchor tag, it becomes a link. 

Term #2. Semantic HTML

Different HTML semantic elements define different parts of a webpage. Semantics add meaning to elements of a webpage. 

For example, if we use a paragraph tag then we cannot specify much about the text. 

<code> tag is an example of the semantic tag. If you use it then the browser understands that it does not have to interpret that code. That you are writing the code for instruction purposes. 

Even in design and style, semantics are essential. A paragraph appears in default browser settings today. Later, you can give it a text color. HTML semantics allows you to do all this. 

Term #3. CSS

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. 

CSS can display a single HTML page in different styles. Using CSS, you can give different layouts to the website. CSS helps to define the design of the website. 

Term #4. JavaScript

JavaScript allows designers to create interactive elements on the webpage. 

When you play video games then there are interactive buttons and animation elements. JavaScript helps to make this. 

Term #5. Responsive Design

You can use the same website on different devices and orientations. 

On the same HTML page, different CSS gets applied. In this way, web designers don’t have to create different codebases for different devices or orientations. 

Responsive design uses grids and proportions to adapt to various devices. For example, a laptop is a three-column, a tablet is a two-column, and a phone is a one-column device. 

Web designers know their user needs. Some content is secondary content. Responsive design involves hiding the secondary content for relevant devices. For example, background images. 

Term #6. Breakpoints

Those places where the webpage will adjust to the device size. It is a part of responsive design. 

Term #7. Information Architecture (IA)

IA again deals with the semantics and layout of the website. It also involves how one webpage interacts with another on a website. 

IA aims to provide information that the user needs with ease. It increases conversion and drives in revenues. 

Term #8. Visual Hierarchy

In a visual hierarchy, we arrange all the elements in the order of their priority. 

In UX design, groups, contrasts, and scales help to make an element more visible than others. 

Brighter colors attract customers with greater ease. And so do large sizes. By grouping the same elements at proximity with each other, more user attention gets diverted to the region. 

Information Architecture and Visual Hierarchy are related to each other. 

Term #9. Infinite Scrolling

Infinite scrolling means designers do not make several web pages. Rather, they place all the content in a single webpage and the user scrolls it to go to different sections of the same page. 

Term #10. Parallax Scrolling

In the website, the foreground moves faster than the background. Parallax scrolling creates an illusion of depth in the website. 

Sometimes, there are multiple background layers. Users can scroll through these layers independently of each other. 

Term #11. ARIA

ARIA stands for Accessible Rich Internet Applications. 

ARIA helps to tell the web browser the exact role of a UI element. It communicates user needs to the technology to build the website. 

Term #12. SaaS

SaaS stands for Software as a Solution. 

It is any company that provides software solutions to its customers. SaaS technology relies on the cloud. Examples - Google Docs, Microsoft Office, etc. 

The customers do not have to install any extra software to use SaaS products. 

Term #13. A/B testing

When we are trying to test a new service or product then we use this test. 

Suppose a website has been using a certain CTA. Now, it wants to use a different CTA. A/B testing means the new CTA does not replace all the previous CTAs. Rather, 25% of websites use the new CTA. Then the company tries to see which one drives more people through their sales funnel. 

Term #14. Server-Side Scripting

At the client-end, JavaScript helps to deal with website functionality. But, there is also the server-side. PHP and ASP.NET are used for the server-side. 

Term # 15. A 301 redirect 

It means the webpage is now in a new address. It will remain at the new address on a permanent basis. 

Term # 16. A 302 redirect

It means the webpage is now in a new address. But, it will remain at the new address on a temporary basis. 

Term #17. A 404 redirect

It happens when you search for the wrong URL. Or, it can happen when the page is deleted by the owners of the website. 

If you create a 404 redirect then specify to the user what they should do next. You should also tell them why they cannot access the page. 

Term #18. Accessibility

Accessibility is to make the website serve disabled persons. 

Term #19. ALT tag

While the webpage loads, it takes time to load the images. You may place some placeholder text that describes the image. The user will see this text on the screen until the image loads. 

Term #20. Cache

When you visit a website for the first time, your computer stores some information. 

Whenever you visit the website again, the computer does not have to load the website again and again. It lets you work faster. 

The cache is a temporary memory storage system. 

Term #21. Cookies

Cookies store some information like how often you visit the site and which sections you visit often. Cookies are a way for your browser to remember your search preferences. 

Should I accept cookies?

Cookies do not contain viruses or malware. It is not harmful to accept cookies. 

But, if any malicious agent gets access to your cookies then they can discover your browsing history. 

Your antivirus flags potentially harmful cookies. So, you should delete them. 

Moreover, if you store a lot of time for a long time on your computer then your computer speed will slow down. 

Term #22. Content Management System (CMS)

CMS uses a database to store all the content you will use to develop your website. A popular CMS is WordPress. You can update the content anytime on a CMS. 

Term #23. Plugin

CMS like WordPress have limited functionalities. Plugins help to extend these functionalities. 

Term #24. WYSIWYG

WYSIWYG stands for What You See is What You Get.

CMS allows you to edit content just as it would appear on your website. It allows you to edit content without any prior coding knowledge. 

Term #25. DNS

DNS stands for Domain Name Server. 

You can reach many IPs through the Internet. IPs connect all the computers and services through DNS. 

DNS follows a hierarchy to name and identify a computer or resource. 

Term #26. Domain

When you visit a website, you write its name. It is called domain. For example, subarnacreative.blogspot.com is our domain. 

Term #27. Favicon

Favicon is a small image that you can see on the title bar or tab of a website. Many people use their brand icon as a favicon. 

Term #28. Hosting

A hosting allows you to publish your web pages. It provides a secure and stable space for you to publish your content. For example, Blogger has hosted this website. 

Term #29. HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP. 

It helps to transfer data between Google Chrome ( or another web browser) and www.subarnacreative.blogspot.com (or another website). 

Term #30. SSL certificate

If your site has HTTPS then it means it has an SSL certificate. It adds an extra layer of security. 

A lock appears beside the URL. By clicking on the lock the users can know the details of the security certification.

Term #31. Lazy loading

Until the user scrolls down to the point, no image or video loads on the website. 

You can enable lazy loading for saving bandwidth. It helps to enhance UX. 

Term #32. Meta tag

Search engines like Google use meta tags to index your web pages. It includes search descriptions, etc. Only then does a user does a google search to find your website. 

Term #33. Navigation

On a website, you see the menu bar and can go to different options. Options could also be on the footer or the sides of the page. 

Like at the bottom of this webpage, you will find other blogs.

Term #34. Page Speed

It refers to how long it takes for all the contents of the webpage. 

Term #35. Sitemap

It is a blueprint of the hierarchy of how the pages should appear on the website. 

Conclusion

Of course, the list of terminology for web design should go on. But, we have discussed the most popular jargon here. It is a part of our free web design course. 

Email me at subarnacreative@gmail.com.