A clear, friendly guide for anyone working with designers, developers, or UX experts.
A
Alt text – Text that describes an image for accessibility and SEO.
Above the fold – The part of a webpage visible before you scroll. Important for first impressions.
Analytics – Data that shows how visitors use your site (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar).
API (Application Programming Interface) – A connection between two systems, like your webshop and a payment provider.
A/B testing – Comparing two versions of a page or ad to see which performs better.
B
Back-end – The “behind-the-scenes” part of your website where data and logic live.
Backlink – A link from another site pointing to yours; important for SEO.
Banner – A graphic or promotional image, often at the top of a webpage.
Brandbook – A document defining your logo, colors, fonts, and tone of voice.
Breadcrumbs – A small navigation trail showing where a user is on your site (e.g., Home > Shop > Product).
C
Cache – Temporary storage that helps your website load faster.
Call to Action (CTA) – A button or link prompting users to act (“Add to cart,” “Sign up”).
CMS (Content Management System) – Software for editing your website without coding (e.g., WordPress, Shopify).
Conversion rate – The percentage of visitors who complete a desired action (buy, subscribe, etc.).
CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) – Improving the % of visitors who complete a goal (buy, sign up, book). Typical tactics: A/B tests, clearer CTAs, faster pages, simpler checkout, trust signals.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) – The code that styles your website (colors, fonts, spacing).
D
Dashboard – A visual overview of analytics, sales, or site performance.
DNS (Domain Name System) – The “address book” of the internet that connects your domain to your hosting.
Domain – Your web address, e.g., yourbrand.com.
Dropdown menu – A list of links that appears when hovering or clicking.
Dynamic content – Content that changes based on user behavior or location.
E
E-commerce – Selling products or services online.
Email marketing – Sending newsletters or campaigns to engage your audience.
Engagement rate – How much users interact with your content (clicks, likes, time on page).
Elementor / Editor – Tools for building websites visually.
Error Page (404) – Shown when a page can’t be found.
Eye-tracking – A research method that shows where users look on your website.
F
Favicon – A small icon in the browser tab; often a mini version of your logo.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) – A structured list of common questions/answers that reduces support load and removes buying friction (shipping, returns, sizing, warranties).
Figma – A collaborative design/prototyping tool used to create, comment on, and test UI before development. Ideal for sharing flows and clickable prototypes.
Fold – The line separating what’s visible without scrolling from what’s below.
Footer – The bottom section of a website, usually with contact info, links, and legal notes.
Frontend – The part of your website users see and interact with.
Font pairing – Combining two or more fonts that work well together visually.
G
Grid system – A structure that keeps layouts aligned and consistent.
Google Search Console – A tool that tracks your site’s visibility on Google.
Gutenberg – WordPress’s block-based content editor.
Golden ratio – A mathematical proportion used for pleasing design composition.
H
Header – The top section of a webpage, often containing the logo and menu.
Hero section – The large banner or image area at the top of a homepage.
Hosting – A service that stores your website files.
HTML – The base code that structures a website.
Hover state – The visual change when your mouse moves over a button or image.
I
Icon set – Small, simplified graphics representing functions (e.g., search, cart).
Information architecture (IA) – How your website content is structured and organized.
Interaction design – How elements respond when users click, tap, or hover.
Integration – Connecting your website to other tools (CRM, newsletter, etc.).
Iteration – Repeated improvements made during a design process.
J
JavaScript – The programming language that adds interactivity to websites.
JPEG / JPG – A common image format, best for photos.
JSON – A lightweight data format used for transferring information.
Journey map (User Journey) – A visual map of how a user interacts with your brand or site.
K
Kerning – The space between individual letters.
Keywords – Search terms that help users find your site on Google.
KPI (Key Performance Indicator) – A measurable goal, like conversion rate or traffic.
Knowledge base – A support page or section that answers common questions.
L
Landing page – A focused page built to convert visitors from ads or campaigns.
Lazy loading – A technique that loads images only when they’re visible, improving speed.
Logo lockup – A specific arrangement of logo + tagline or symbol.
Loading speed – How fast your site opens. Critical for user experience.
Lorem Ipsum – Placeholder text used during design.
M
Meta description – The text shown under your page title in search results.
Mockup – A realistic preview of a design in context (like on packaging or a screen).
Mobile-first design – Designing primarily for mobile users, then scaling up.
Module – A reusable design element or section (e.g., testimonial block).
Moodboard – A curated collage of references (colors, textures, typography, UI snippets, photography) to align on look & feel before detailed design begins.
Multichannel – Selling across several platforms (website, Instagram, marketplaces).
N
Navigation bar – The menu that helps users move around your site.
Newsletter – Regular email updates sent to subscribers.
Niche – A focused market segment your brand targets.
No-index – A tag that tells Google not to show a page in search results.
Notification banner – A strip announcing news or promotions (e.g., free shipping).
O
Onboarding – The process of introducing new users to your product or website.
Optimization – Improving performance, conversions, or SEO.
Open Graph – Code that controls how your page looks when shared on social media.
Overlay – A semi-transparent layer that appears on top of content (e.g., pop-ups).
Organic traffic – Visitors who find your site through search engines, not ads.
P
Plugin – Adds extra features to your site (contact forms, SEO tools, etc.).
Pixel (tracking pixel) – Code used to track conversions or ad performance.
Placeholder – Temporary text or image in a design.
Prototype – An interactive preview of a website before development.
Payment gateway – The system that securely processes online payments.
Q
QR code – A scannable code linking directly to a page or promotion.
Query – A request for specific data (used in databases or search).
Quality assurance (QA) – Testing the website for errors before launch.
Quick view – A mini product preview without leaving the page.
R
Responsive design – Ensures your site looks great on all screen sizes.
Redirect – Sending visitors from one URL to another.
Resolution – The sharpness or clarity of an image.
Retention rate – The percentage of returning users or customers.
RGB / CMYK – Color models for digital (RGB) and print (CMYK).
S
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Techniques that help your site rank higher on Google.
SSL certificate – Security layer that makes your site HTTPS (safe for payments).
Sidebar – A secondary column for navigation, filters, or supplemental content (common on blogs, category pages, dashboards).
Sitemap – A list or file showing all pages on your site.
Slider / Carousel – Rotating banners or images on a page.
Stock photo – Pre-made images licensed for commercial use.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) – Vector image format that stays perfectly sharp at any size. Great for logos, icons, and illustrations.
T
Tagline – A short phrase expressing your brand’s essence.
Template – A pre-designed layout that can be reused.
Typography – The style and arrangement of text.
Touchpoint – Any point where users interact with your brand.
Tracking code – A small script that collects analytics or ad data.
U
UI (User Interface) – The visual layer users interact with (buttons, forms, etc.).
UX (User Experience) – The overall feeling of using your product or site.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – The web address of a specific page.
Usability testing – Observing real users to find design or navigation issues.
V
Viewport – The visible area of a web page on a device.
Visual hierarchy – How design guides what users see first.
Vector – Scalable image format (SVG, AI) that never loses quality.
Viral content – Content that spreads quickly through social media.
W
Web hosting – The service that stores your website online.
Wireframe – A low-fidelity outline of your page layout.
Widget – A small tool or block of content (e.g., search bar, social feed).
WooCommerce – A WordPress plugin for creating webshops.
Whitespace – Empty space that improves readability and focus.
X
XML Sitemap – A technical file that helps search engines index your pages.
XD (Adobe XD) – A tool for designing and prototyping websites and apps.
X-Height – The height of lowercase letters in a typeface.
Y
Yoast SEO – A popular WordPress plugin for search optimization.
Yield – The measurable result or return from marketing efforts.
YouTube embed – Adding a YouTube video directly into your site.
Z
Z-pattern layout – A reading pattern where users scan a page in a “Z” shape.
Zoom ratio – How much you can enlarge an image without quality loss.
Z-index – A CSS property controlling which elements appear “in front.”
Zapier – A tool that automates workflows between apps.