9 Web Design Terms to Know (updated for 2023)
Do you ever feel like people who talk knowledgeably about websites are speaking a different language?
Do you wish you understood more about your website and how to make sure it’s up to date?
In the next five minutes, you will learn nine web design and technology terms - and why they’re important for your website and your business.
So here’s a cheat sheet that will help you feel more knowledgeable about your website:
1. CTA
This stands for “Call to Action.” Common CTA’s would be a button, a link, or a form that potential clients fill out to learn more about working with you.
What action do you want peope to take on your website? The best way to determine this is to decide on your website’s primary goal.
For example, if your primary goal is to get potential clients to book a discovery call, then you might link a booking calendar such as Calendly to your website.
PRO TIP: Squarespace bought Acuity a while back and I absolutely LOVE the ease this has created around setting up appointments - and it’s all managed simply from within my website!
2. Responsive Design
This means that a website will automatically resize, hide, shrink, or enlarge to look great on any screen - including laptops, tablets, and (most importantly) your phone.
Responsive design is essential. Imagine a former client having coffee with a friend, and they want to share your name. Your client pulls up your website on their phone during the conversation. A responsive website will display just as beautiful on their phone as on their laptop - which makes you look good during their conversation.
3. SEO
SEO is a term you’ve probably heard a few times now. SEO, or search engine optimization, is what determines whether or not a potential client sees your website when they search for your service type online. It’s how search engines determine how relevant your website is to that potential client.
4. Domain Name + URL
Your domain name is the name of your website. For example, our domain name is studiorocketwebdesign.com.
Your URL address is a bit longer; it’s the full address for your website. Our URL address is https://www.studiorocketwebdesign.com.
You want to be sure, when choosing a domain name, that it sticks easily in a potential client’s memory. If your business name is Lark Massage Therapy, then larkmassagetherapy.com would be a fantastic option for a domain name. A domain name that doesn’t match your business name will be harder for potential clients to remember.
5. Navigation
Your website’s navigation is how people find their way around your website. Your main navigation is most likely at the top of your website, in your navigation bar, and contains a clickable list of the pages in your website.
Here are a few other ways to direct people through your website:
→ Buttons (“Learn More” can lead to a services page, for example)
→ Links in the footer (the block at the bottom of each page)
→ Images (photos or graphics) that are clickable and lead to other pages
Above all else, your navigation must be easy. There should be a clear path that takes potential clients from your welcome to your call to action.
6. Above the Fold
When you arrive at a website, everything that you see without scrolling is called “above the fold.” It’s the most important real estate on your website because it’s the first impression you make on potential clients.
What shows above the fold might vary slightly between, say, your laptop screen and your phone screen, but the general concept remains the same. The first impression you make is the most important impression you make!
How can you make the most of your first impression?
→ Draw in potential clients with a vibrant, engaging image that represents your service well
→ Use a short phrase to capture the unique experience you offer
→ Make it obvious where to find the next piece of important information
7. Favicon (or Browser Icon)
Fun website design detail: when you visit a website, often you can see a tiny icon next to the website name in the tab above the website. It’s a favicon - or it might also be called a browser icon.
If you want to add favicon to your website, keep the shape simple. Most logos are too complex to make a good favicon, in which case you might choose another simple shape that works well with your logo or business name.
Here’s a tutorial from Hostinger on adding favicons.
8. Back End
If your website is a stage, the back end of your website is the control booth. It’s where you make changes to your website.
Becoming familiar with the back end of your website, if you haven’t already done so, is well worth your time. It gives you the ability to make small (or large) changes and gives you control over how well your website works for you.
9. Widget
A website widget is a simple, single-task tool from a third party that you can embed in your website. For example, you could embed a Calendly widget that would allow clients to book an appointment with you while they’re on your website.
How’s your “webspeak” now? Do you feel more confident with these design and technology terms?
Would you like to know more about any of these terms? Leave a comment below and I’ll respond.
Thank you for reading!
