Welcome to Thunderbolt’s ultimate website design cheat sheet! Whether you’re a business owner seeking website design in Surrey or a budding designer eager to learn, getting familiar with key web design terms is essential. Today, we’re breaking down the jargon, so you can approach website design with confidence.
First Things First: What Is Website Design?
Before diving into the technicalities, let’s quickly define website design. At its core, website design is the process of planning, conceptualising, and arranging content online. Good web design involves creating a site that’s not only visually appealing but also functional, easy to navigate, and optimised for a seamless user experience.
When discussing website design, you will likely also hear the term website development. Though the two go hand in hand, they are not interchangeable. Website development is the process of actually building the structure of a website based on its design. Therefore, for any local business looking to refresh their online image, website design in Surrey is the first step in the process.
Website Design Key Terms
Whether you’re looking to hire a professional for website design in Surrey or are exploring DIY options, understanding terms related to web design will help you make informed decisions. The following are a selection of key terms that we think will help you understand and communicate effectively with any website designer.
1. Template Website
A template website uses pre-designed layouts for all of its pages. It offers minimal options for design changes that could alter the fundamental web page structure, but allows for customisation of elements like content, images, and colours. For those needing a website urgently or with limited funds, a template can be a quick and cost-effective option for website design in Surrey.
2. Custom Website
Meanwhile, a custom website is fully designed (and developed) from scratch to meet your specific business needs, goals, and branding. This approach offers a unique website design with complete flexibility, allowing for custom functionality, integration with other platforms, and a tailored user experience. You can see examples of custom website design in Surrey on Thunderbolt’s portfolio page.
3. User Experience (UX)
UX encompasses factors relating to the overall feel of a website and the interaction a user has with it. It involves designing your website to be as user-friendly, efficient, and satisfying as possible. A website with a good user experience should guide visitors through the site seamlessly and allow them to achieve their goals easily, whether that’s making a purchase or finding information.
4. User Interface (UI)
UI refers to the specific visual elements that users interact with on a website, such as buttons, forms, and menus. A well-designed UI is intuitive, making navigation smooth and improving the overall user experience.
5. User Journey
The user journey is a visual representation of the steps and interactions a visitor can take on a website, from the initial web page they arrive on to their final conversion. Creating a user journey map can help clarify the website pages needed for a smooth and intuitive visitor experience.
6. Responsive Design
Responsive design is an approach that ensures a website looks and functions well on a range of devices, from desktops to smartphones and tablets. For website design in Surrey, it’s vital to ensure your site is accessible and user-friendly, regardless of the device used by your customers.
7. Wireframe
A wireframe is a basic blueprint or sketch of your website. It outlines the structure of web pages, including the placement of content, images, buttons, and navigation elements, without the distraction of design elements like colours or fonts. Wireframes are the first step of website design in Surrey, helping you to visualise the site’s layout before the web designer dives into the finer details.
8. Mockup
Once the wireframe is approved, a mockup is created to represent the website’s visual design. It includes colours, typography, images, and other graphic elements, giving a more realistic preview of how the final website will appear.
9. Navigation Menu/Bar
The navigation menu or bar is the list of links that feature on all of your website pages to guide users through your website. Commonly found at the top of the page, it typically includes sections like “Home”, “About Us”, “Services”, and “Contact”. A clear and concise navigation menu is crucial for good UX.
10. Call to Action (CTA)
A CTA is a prompt on your website that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as “Contact Us,” “Sign Up,” or “Buy Now.” Effective CTAs are essential for converting website traffic into leads or customers.
11. Landing Page
A landing page has two main definitions; one relating to website design, and one to online marketing. In the web design sense, it is any web page that your potential customers can land on when visiting your website. Usually, this will include your homepage and other pages deemed relevant to user queries on search engines.
In the marketing realm, it refers to a standalone web page designed for a specific marketing campaign or purpose, such as promoting a product or collecting newsletter sign-ups. It’s usually focused on a single goal, with minimal distractions, to encourage visitors to take a desired action. Regardless of the definition, making sure that landing pages have a good UX is a crucial part of website design in Surrey.
12. Grid System
A grid system in web design is a framework that helps arrange content in a structured and visually appealing way. By dividing the page into columns and rows, designers can maintain consistency in layout, regardless of screen size.
13. Whitespace
Whitespace, sometimes known as negative space, refers to the empty areas around and between website design elements. Website design in Surrey that effectively uses whitespace has a clean, uncluttered look, which improves readability and draws attention to important content like CTAs.
14. Hero Image
The hero image is the large, prominent image – or video – placed at the top of a webpage, often accompanied by a headline and a CTA. It sets the tone for the website and provides a visually striking introduction. Many of Thunderbolt’s homepage designs (including our own!) feature a hero image.
15. Above the Fold
“Above the fold” refers to the content of a webpage that is visible to users before they start scrolling. It’s crucial for capturing attention immediately, typically featuring headings, images, or calls to action that encourage users to explore further.
16. Heading Tags
Heading tags (denoted by H1, H2, H3, etc.) are HTML tags used to differentiate headings and subheadings from website body copy. They structure web content hierarchically; H1 is the main title, which is displayed in the largest font and carries the most SEO weight, while H2, H3, and so on break down content into subheadings for better readability and organisation.
17. Body Copy/Text
Body copy refers to the main text content on a web page, which provides detailed information, explanations, or descriptions. It supports headings by offering users the necessary context to understand the topic, product, or service being discussed.
18. Lorem Ipsum
Lorem ipsum is placeholder text used in web design mockups to fill in spaces where real content will eventually go. Using it helps designers to focus on layout and formatting without the distraction of actual copy during the early stages of website design in Surrey.
19. Fixed Element
A fixed element stays in place on the web page even as the user scrolls, providing constant visibility. This ensures that the fixed element remains accessible throughout the user’s browsing experience. Common examples include sticky navigation bars, call-to-action buttons, or chatbots.
20. Favicon
A favicon is the small image associated with a website, shown in the browser tab next to the page title. It helps with brand recognition and allows users to quickly identify and switch between tabs, improving user experience on the web.
Revitalise Your Business with Expert Website Design in Surrey
By understanding these web design terms, you’ll be better equipped to discuss your needs and vision if you investigate website design in Surrey for your business.
At Thunderbolt, our team of experienced web designers is here to help bring your digital vision to life with a website that not only looks fantastic but also performs seamlessly.
Ready to overhaul your company’s online image with a responsive website featuring a good user experience and effective CTAs above the fold?
Contact us today to chat to our experts and find out more about our options for website design in Surrey!