Whether you’re a start-up or a well-established company, having a website is essential for business success. Understanding the ins and outs of website development can, however, be daunting, particularly with the complex jargon that often comes with it.
As an experienced Surrey website development agency, Thunderbolt knows how important it is for clients to understand the terminology behind what goes into building and maintaining a website.
This cheat sheet will introduce you to 20 essential website development terms, helping you understand the process of building a website and communicate more effectively with your developers.
Website Development Key Terms
1. Browser
A browser is a software application used to access and view websites on the internet. Browsers interpret and transform a website’s code into the readable text, images, and interactive elements that users see on a webpage.
Common browsers include Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, each of which provides tools for navigating, rendering, and securing website content.
2. Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
A URL is the website address used to locate and access a specific page or resource on your internet browser. It may include the following elements:
- Protocol – indicates the communication method used, commonly “https://” or “http://”.
- Subdomain (Optional) – comes before the main domain and specifies a subsection of it, for example “www.” or “blog.”.
- Domain Name – the unique, registered name of your website, which typically represents the brand or organisation, such as “wearethunderbolt”.
- Top-Level Domain (TLD) – the suffix at the end of the domain name, indicating the domain’s type or country of origin. Examples include “.com”, “.co.uk”, or “.edu”.
- Path (Optional) – the specific location or folder structure within the website, directing users to a particular page or resource, e.g. “/products/item1”.
- Query String (Optional) – often used in dynamic pages, this provides additional parameters to the URL. It starts with “?” and includes key-value pairs separated by “&”, for example “?id=123&type=widget”.
- Fragment (Optional) – also called an anchor, this refers to a specific subsection within a page, and begins with “#”, like “#section1”.
3. SSL Certificate
A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate encrypts the data exchanged between your website’s server and a user’s browser.
Encryption enhances security, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and payment details, which is essential for building trust with your audience.
Websites with SSL certificates display a padlock icon in the browser address bar. They also use the protocol “https” instead of “http” in their URL.
4. Hosting
Hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and data on a server, making it accessible to users online.
There are various types of hosting available, such as shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting.
Good hosting from a reliable hosting provider can improve your site load speed, security, and uptime, all of which are essential for user experience and SEO.
An experienced Surrey website development agency can suggest the best type of hosting for your website, or even provide hosting services themselves, as Thunderbolt does.
5. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Search Engine Optimisation is the practice of optimising a website to improve its ranking in search engine results. Effective SEO can help your website reach a broader audience by increasing your visibility and web traffic.
Common SEO tactics include using relevant keywords, optimising metadata, and improving website speed. For a more comprehensive overview of how SEO works, check out Thunderbolt’s recent blog, The Complete Guide to SEO Strategies in 2024.
6. Backend Development
Backend (or server-side) development refers to the work carried out by a Surrey website development agency that powers your website or web application behind the scenes.
It involves creating and managing the technology that handles database interactions, server logic, authentication, and application programming interfaces (APIs).
Though invisible to users, this work is crucial for creating a functional, dynamic website that runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently.
7. Frontend Development
Frontend development focuses on the client side of a website, creating the visual and interactive elements that users directly engage with. This includes everything from layout, buttons, and navigation menus to animations, images, and text.
Frontend developers must use 3 core web languages: HTML for structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for interactivity. This builds a seamless, responsive, and accessible user experience across various devices and screen sizes.
8. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
An API is a set of protocols that allows different applications to communicate with each other. In website development, APIs enable integration with external services, like payment processors, social media feeds, or weather widgets, expanding a website’s functionality.
9. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
HTML is the standard language used to create the structure of web pages. It involves using tags to organise content into elements like headers, paragraphs, and images.
While HTML isn’t the only language used in web development, it’s foundational to creating web content.
10. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
A Surrey website development agency will use CSS to style and design a website, controlling how HTML elements are displayed, including colours, fonts, and layouts.
This helps create an appealing design that aligns with a brand’s visual identity, making the website look professional and polished.
11. JavaScript
JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity to a website, allowing elements like sliders, pop-ups, and dynamic content to function.
It plays a key role in frontend development, enabling a more engaging and responsive user experience.
12. PHP
Sometimes known as Hypertext Processor, PHP is a popular open-source, server-side programming language designed specifically for web development. It is used to build dynamic and interactive websites by embedding code into HTML, managing data, and communicating with databases.
PHP is known for its flexibility, compatibility with various databases, and its use in platforms like WordPress, making it a common choice for backend development.
13. Content Management System (CMS)
Content management systems are software platforms that allow users to easily create, manage, and modify website content. Ideal for those without in-depth coding knowledge, popular platforms include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Using a CMS makes it easy for businesses to update website content without having to request and pay for changes from your Surrey website development agency on an ongoing basis.
14. WordPress
WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world today, powering over 60 million websites, (an overall market share of 43.27%).
It offers customisation through themes and plugins, making it accessible for beginners yet powerful enough for complex sites.
15. Plugins
Plugins are software add-ons or extensions that add specific functionalities to your website. Especially common in platforms like WordPress, plugins allow you to incorporate website features like contact forms, image galleries, and SEO tools.
While they’re convenient, using too many plugins or poorly coded ones can slow down a website. That’s why it is important that your Surrey website development agency only selects plugins that enhance functionality without compromising your site’s performance.
16. Quality Assurance (QA)
Quality assurance involves testing a website to ensure it meets standards, is free of bugs, and functions correctly across devices and browsers.
This process is essential for delivering a polished, reliable user experience.
17. Sitemap
A sitemap is a list of pages on a website, designed to help search engines and users understand the site’s structure and navigate it more easily.
Sitemaps come in two forms: XML (for search engines) and HTML (for users). Having a well-organised sitemap can improve SEO and user experience.
Your Surrey website development agency should create a sitemap for you as standard, the link for which can usually be found in your website footer.
18. 404 Page
A 404 page is an error page displayed when users try to access a webpage that doesn’t currently exist. It usually appears due to a broken link or mistyped URL.
Well-designed 404 pages guide users back to relevant parts of your main website rather than leaving them lost and unengaged.
19. Bounce Rate
Bounce rate measures the percentage of users who navigate away from your website after viewing only one page.
A high bounce rate (considered to be 55% or higher) could indicate issues with website speed, content quality, design, or usability.
Your Surrey website development agency should optimise your site’s design and content to reduce bounce rates and help keep your potential customers engaged.
20 . Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that Google uses to assess the user experience of a website. They include factors like loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability.
Optimising Core Web Vitals can boost your website’s Google ranking and enhance user experience by ensuring the site is fast, responsive, and visually stable.
Looking for a Helpful Surrey Website Development Agency? Contact Thunderbolt Digital
Website development can be complex, so understanding the key terminology can make a world of difference when it comes to collaborating with your web developers.
Whether you’re launching a new site or revamping an existing one, knowing these technical terms will make it easier to achieve the online presence your business deserves – a website that is visually appealing, functional, and optimised for search engines.
It is also vital to find a Surrey website development agency like Thunderbolt, who will guide you through the entire process of creating a website, explaining anything you may not be sure about without using confusing jargon.
Contact our team today to find out more about our full range of digital services, including website design and development!