Glossary of Internet and Design Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
301 Redirect | The code that tells search engines a page has been permanently moved. Good for SEO as the new page will inherit the Google PageRank and other search engine rankings. |
404 Not Found | 404 is the code displayed when a web page cannot be found. |
Accordion Fold | Two or more opposite parallel folds which open the page like an accordion. |
Adsense | An advertising network run by Google. By inserting code in your website, adverts appear on your pages that are relevant to your content. Everytime an advert is clicked you earn a percentage of the revenue generated. |
Adwords | Text based pay per click advertising run by Google, displayed alongside relevant search engine results and on relevant websites through the Adsense programme. |
Ajax | Short for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, is a technique for speeding up the delivery of information on webpages. Only necessary data is exchanged with the server in the background, meaning the page is not refreshed everytime there is a change. |
ALT Tag | Alternative information for images that is displayed instead of an image. Also used for search engine indexing. |
Ascender | The part of a lower-case letter that is higher than the middle of the font. The top parts of b, d, h, etc. |
ASP | Short for Active Server Pages is server side technology, developed by Microsoft, to generate dynamic web pages. |
Backlinks | Incoming links from one website to another. |
Bandwidth | The amount of data sent through a connection, measured in bits-per-second (bps.) Websites are often limited in how much Bandwidth they use on a monthly basis, so it's important to keep all files as small as possible. |
Banner Ads | Adverts on a webpage that generate revenue for the site owner. Formatted horizontally, as opposed to a Skyscraper which is vertical. |
Baseline | The bottom line on which all letters sit. |
Bevel | The highlight and contrasting shadows giving an image or type a raised appearance. |
Blacklist | A list of untrusted email addresses. Any emails sent from a blacklist will be ignored completely and deleted before hitting an email inbox. |
Bleed | Print that extends beyond the edge of a page and is trimmed to ensure coverage to the very edge. |
Blog | Originally called 'Web Logs', blogs started life as personal online diaries, but have now evolved to encompass any website that publishes niche news content on a daily basis, normally run by one person. |
BMP | The file extension for Bitmap image files. |
Bookmarks | Website links saved in a browser for easy reference later. Also known as Favourites. |
Bots | Software that runs automated, repetitive tasks on servers. |
Bounce Rate | The number of people who visit a website page then leave without going any deeper. |
Browser | A programme that allows viewing of pages on the internet. |
Byte | A unit of storage for data. A single character made up of eight bits. |
Cache | Used to store recently viewed information from websites so that it can be recalled very quickly. It speeds up browsing as repetitive information does not need to be downloaded again, merely accessed from the cache on the local hard-drive. |
Campaign Tracking | A method used to identify how visitors arrive at your site, usually from internet advertising programmes such as Google AdWords. |
Cap height | The distance from the baseline of a font to the top of the capital letters. |
Client Computer | A computer that receives files from another computer (the server). |
CMS | Content Management Systems are used to publish lots of information quickly and easily on the internet, using a database to store the information and preformatted rules so all content is published within the template. Great for non-technical users to edit and publish their websites. |
CMYK | Stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black). The colours used in four colour process printing. |
Conversion | A conversion is when you turn someone from just browsing your website to fulfilling a goal you specify, such as buying a product or just filling out an enquiry form. |
Cookie | A Cookie is a file sent from a web server to the client's computer. It stores certain pieces of information such as registration details, a shopping cart, or preferences, and uses the data to identify a browser when they return to a website page. |
Copy | Any written text. |
CPC | Cost per Click. Describes the fee charged everytime a banner ad or link is clicked. |
CPM | Cost per 1000 impressions. Describes the fee charged per 1000 times a page or banner ad is displayed. |
CSS | Cascading Style Sheets. A computer language that controls the formatting and layout of webpages. |
CTR | Click Through Ratio. The number of times a banner ad has been clicked compared to the number of times it has been displayed. |
Descender | The part of a letter, and some punctuation, that sits below the baseline. The lower parts of g, p, y, etc. |
DNS | The Domain Name System is what is used to translate the IP number of a website (eg 12.34.56.78) into the human understandable URL address. |
Domain Name | The Domain Name is the first part of a web address or URL, basically what your website is called, such as moxiedesign.co.uk |
DPI | Dots per Inch. Used to describe resolution. 72dpi is the standard fror images to be displayed on websites. 300dpi is the standard for print images. |
DPS | Double Page Spread. Two facing pages that are intended to be viewed together. |
Drop cap | A larger than normal capital letter at the beginning of a paragraph that drops into the line or a number of lines below. |
Drop Shadow | An effect of a shadow behind an image or text to give the impression of a 3D effect. |
Dynamic Pages | Pages that are generated server side, and constantly changing and being updated. |
E-Commerce | Describes any form of business that takes place via the internet. |
Emoticon | A group of characters used to convey emotion, i.e. :) represents a smiley face. |
Facing pages | The two visible pages of an open magazine, book, or other document. |
Favicon | The icon for a website that appears in the address bar and favourites list. |
Gatefold | Two folds where the ends of the page meet in the middle, like double doors. |
GIF | A Graphic Interchange Format file is a common image file format. Usually used for images with large areas of the same flat colour such as logos and backgrounds. They are no good for images with gradients or photos. |