It’s our job to be the web design experts, but having clients who understand basic terminology is essential to a successful web development project.

We understand that sometimes web jargon can sound like an alien language. While it’s not likely you’ll be creating a website from scratch on your own, being familiar with the basic terminology is key to successful communication with a web design agency.

Feeling in sync with what your designer is saying makes the entire web development process smoother and more productive.

A general understanding of web design terms is especially necessary if you plan on eventually taking the reigns and maintaining a website on your own. We’ve put together a list of the web design terms that you should become familiar with:

 

1. CMS (Content Management System)

Technically, a content management system or “CMS” is a user-friendly platform used to create and manage online content. A CMS allows designers to focus on developing and modifying the content of a website, while the CMS does the heavy-lifting behind the scenes. Some well-known content management systems include WordPress (our #1 choice), Drupal, Kirby, and Joomla.

2. Hosting

Hosting is rental space for your website on a publicly-accessible server. Without hosting, users would not be able to view your site’s content through the internet. Hosting providers and plan options vary, so do some basic research before making a final choice.

3. Domain

A domain is the address users enter into search bars to access the homepage of your website. Domains typically end in .com, .org, or .net. However, in recent years domain extensions from .design to .ninja have surfaced.

Tip: Keep your domain name simple. It should refer back to the name of your business or organization, allowing users to easily find your business or organization online.

4. Responsive Web Design

Having a mobile-friendly website has become more crucial than ever. Responsive web design enables your website to automatically adapt to any screen size (desktop, tablet, and mobile), providing an optimal and seamless user experience. Unsure if your site is mobile responsive? Give it a test here.

5. Hex Code

A hex code is a six digit sequence of letters and/or numbers that starts with #. Hex codes are used in web development to assign colors to components of a site. Knowing the specific hex codes used for your brand ensures colors will always remain consistent across all digital platforms. For example, the hex code for the preheader of our site is #60919B.

6. Call to Action

Most websites contain buttons or links prompting you to “Learn More”, “Sign Up”, or “Contact Us”. The text may vary, but clear CTAs are important to successfully guide users throughout your site or initiate an action.

Tip: It’s important to be clear and avoid using obvious phrases like “click here to”. If your users haven’t been living under a rock, they’ll understand buttons are meant to be clicked.

7. Compression

We’ve all been frustrated by websites that take too long to load. Chances are the files on that website were not properly compressed prior to upload. Larger file sizes = longer load time = frustrated users. Compression optimizes file sizes and eliminates excess data which improves a site’s overall user experience. Tinypng.com is a great resource for compressing files without losing quality.

8. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search Engine Optimization or “SEO” enhances how websites are discovered within search engine results (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc). Basic SEO techniques include targeting keywords, metadata, and backlinks. Maintaining healthy SEO practices helps with online visibility and increases the quantity and quality of traffic to your website.

 

These are just a small sampling of terms that encompass a website’s design, development, and user experience. Luckily, you don’t need to make sense of them all on your own. Direct Development is always available to help our clients meet their web design needs or answer questions. Get in touch with us to get started. We know you can successfully locate our call to action… we’ll take care of the rest.