Website Glossary
Website Terminology Explained
Internet and website terminology can be daunting. For a definition of common terms, scroll down (or use the index to the left).
If it's not listed here, search for it on the WhatIs.com website.
Pictures or words that move on the screen. Animation should be used with caution, as overdoing it can tend to repel visitors rather than attract them.
Banner Ad
Website advertising which normally uses animation to attract people's attention. Ads will contain a link to either
a different section of the website or a different website altogether. Paid banner advertising is sold on popular website, such as news sites.
Brochure
Website
A website which replicates a printed brochure,
in that the content is purely static. Often
implemented as an organisation's first website presence.
Content
Management
Website content management is the process of updating the content (text
and pictures) on a website. There are several options available
for this, ranging from paying a professional (either an hourly rate or
set contract fee), through to doing it yourself using a Content Management system. These systems can be expensive to implement,
and most have limitations on what you can change. Changes to page
layout or navigation may still need to be done by
a website designer. The right option for you will
depend on what needs to change and how often. This should be decided
near the beginning of the project, as it impacts how your website is
designed and built.
Domain
Name
A unique name (e.g. mycompany.co.nz) which
people use to access your website. Domain names are registered with approved providers who hold information about where your website is hosted (see website hosting) so that people typing in your domain name will be routed to your website's home page.
Having your own domain name is highly recommended as it helps to raise your organisation's profile. You can use it for your website and email (e.g. queries@mycompany.co.nz), regardless of who your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or website hosting company is, either now or in the future.
To find out if a .nz or .com domain name you like is available, visit our domain names page
Dynamic
Website Content
Website content (words and pictures) which
is updated either by an automatic process, or as a result of input
from a website visitor (e.g. search results, login, etc). Either way,
some form of programming is required to enable this. Implementing
a website with dynamic content is more costly than having static content, but can greatly enhance your website's functionality.
Graphic
Designer
Graphic designers are professionals experienced
in the art of graphic design, which is the creation of images for
things such as :
- logos
- business cards
- banners
- posters
- magazines and books
- websites
Website graphics are quite different than for print. For print, quality must be the best possible. For websites, there is always a trade off between quality and the speed of loading an image onto a computer screen. Colours are also more limited. Make sure your graphic designer has experience with creating website graphics.
Hosting
/ Website Hosting
Your website consists of a number of files
which must be stored on a computer (file server) connected to the
Internet. Website hosting is a service whereby you "rent" space
on a file server owned by a hosting company. It is their responsibility
to ensure your website is available 24/7. Website hosting usually includes email hosting as well, so you can use your domain name for email (e.g. me@mycompany.co.nz). Emails can be checked using Outlook or via the internet using Webmail.
Website hosting fees are usually paid monthly or yearly, and vary depending on the size of your website and how it is built. Your hosting company should not be chosen on price alone. Future website hosting requirements, support provided, and provision of useful website statistics should also be considered.
HTML
(Hypertext Markup Language)
A language used on websites, which is essentially a list of instructions telling the website browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) what to display on the screen (i.e. words, pictures, etc) and how to display it (i.e. size, colour, alignment, etc)
HTML can also be used to format emails to include pictures, colours, etc (e.g. for email newsletters)
Hyperlinks
/ Links
Website links which, when clicked, take you
to another area of the same website or to another website entirely.
Hyperlinks can be applied to text, images or buttons. Hyperlinked
text is usually underlined or highlighted in some way. All hyperlinks
show as a hand when you position the mouse over them.
An example is the Top button below, which takes you back to the
top of this page.
Interactive
Websites
Interactive websites are those which allow
visitors to perform tasks and get a response from the website, rather
than just view information. Common examples of this are :
- registering for a newsletter
- searching for information
- buying products
ISP (Internet
Service Provider)
An ISP provides you with access to the Internet
either by dialing up through their server, or with a direct connection.
There are a large number of ISPs offering different plans at different
rates. Most ISPs provide services such as Email and website
hosting. Some even provide free space for a personal web page.
This is not usually suitable for business purposes. You do not have
to host your website with your ISP.
Navigation
Navigation is your visitors means of finding
their way around your website. With well planned navigation, your
visitor can quickly and easily find what they are looking for. It
is just as important as the actual content of your website.
Various navigation methods can be used, depending on the nature
of the website, including :
- page links - buttons or text, usually along the top or left
- drop-down menus - enabling visitors to go directly to a topic which they would otherwise have to click through several pages to get to
- hyperlinks on text or images throughout the main website content, taking you to other pages
- site maps - like an index - ideal for large websites, and often used to assist with search engine optimisation
Search
Engines
Programs that enable you to search the Internet
for websites using specific words or phrases.
Some popular search engines are Google, Yahoo, Search NZ, Anzwers, and Alta Vista.
All search engines work differently and are changing constantly, so you
will notice different results when you enter the same information
into different search engines.
Search
Engine Optimisation / Registration
Search Engine Optimisation is about improving a website's ability to be found by people entering key words and phrases into search engines (such as Google).
It involves building key words and
phrases into the website content, and into the "behind-the-scenes" code which isn't seen by visitors, but is important to certain search engines.
Search Engine Registration is the
act of registering your website with a number of search engines and directories,
either locally and/or internationally. Knowing which search engines to
register with to target your audience, is half the battle. Registering
with any search engine doesn't guarantee that your website will show in the
results list. Some allow you to register for free, while others
make you pay.
Static
Website Content
Website content (words and pictures) which
is updated manually, as opposed to dynamic content.
Implementing a website with static content is generally quite cost
effective, and suits websites where information isn't expected to
change often, such as a brochure website.
Website
Designer
Website designers are professionals experienced
in the art of website design. Their services vary, but will include
some or all of the following :
- discussing and analysing your requirements
- planning website structure - layout, "look and feel", navigation
- digital photography
- designing and creating website graphics and animations
- designing and building web pages
- website testing
- programming for interactive websites
- search engine optimisation and registration
- website hosting and domain name registration
- website maintenance or training you to do it yourself
- website promotion
Website
Developer
Website developers are generally more technical
than website designers. Although their skills do overlap, website developers
tend to specialise more in programming for interactive
websites. If your website requires a database of information
that visitors can search on, you will probably need a website developer.
Sharp Thinking has a network of website professionals and can manage all aspects of your website project, regardless of what skills you require.
Website
Graphics
Website graphics are used to enhance the look
of websites. Text on websites can only be displayed in a limited
number of fonts, so if you want to jazz it up, you need to turn
that text into a graphic image. Other website graphics include photos,
pictures, buttons, navigation menus, banner
ads, animations.
It is possible for anyone to take a photo with a digital camera,
or scan in a digital image. However, these images will usually need
to be edited and re-sized for use on the website, to ensure they still
look good and are quick to load.
Website graphics are generally created by a website designer or graphic designer.
Website Maintenance & Updates
Website maintenance refers to on-going
changes to a website once it is published on the Internet. As things
change in your organisation, your website must be updated to reflect
the changes. There is nothing more harmful to your credibility than
having out-of-date information on the Internet for all the world
to see.
Maintenance must be planned for in the early stages of your website project. You should appoint someone in your organisation the responsibility of checking the website regularly, and arranging for updates to be done as necessary.
Decisions must be made about who will manage website content and how. The right option for you will depend on what needs to change and how often. If website maintenance is to be provided by your website designer, an hourly rate or contract fee should be discussed and agreed on.
Website
Marketing and Promotion
For website owners, marketing of the
website is important. There is no point having a brilliant website
if no-one knows it exists.
As well as search engine optimisation and registration, you should promote your website through traditional methods, such as :
- word of mouth (staff, customers, suppliers, friends, family)
- stationery (business cards, letterhead, etc)
- brochures
- promotional material (t-shirts, calendars, etc)
- building and vehicle signage
- press releases
- magazines and industry related publications
- classified ads
- directory and Yellow Pages listings
- Email auto signatures
- links to and from other websites
Website Reporting & Statistics
Website reports which give you
information on your website's usage, e.g.
- number of visits to your website
- number of unique visitors
- where visitors have come from (i.e. countries, and from which source - direct link/bookmark, search engines, links from other websites, etc)
- web pages visited
- search engines / key words successfully used to find your website
Report format and information
varies between website hosting companies. Look for website reports that will show you a trend
(i.e. time of day, day of week, history over several months). Website statistics
shown in graph format are easier to interpret for this.
Sharp Thinking uses and recommends Google Analytics for website reporting. It is more comprehensive than basic website statistical reports, plus it is independent of your website hosting provider, meaning that if you ever change providers your historical report data is not affected.
Contact us to discuss your website needs