If you are new to the world of websites, we’d like to help you understand the ‘gobbledygook’ that can baffle and bemuse some of us.
Website
You’re already half way there, you’re currently using one! You are viewing a “web page” on Web.com’s blog. A website is a collection of web pages, including content (text, images, videos etc.) identifiable by a domain name.
Domain Name (aka URL)
A domain name, in laymen terms, is a websites name. It makes a website discernible from all other websites, as the same domain name cannot be used on two different websites. For example, you wouldn’t expect https://pro-uk.web.com/ to take you anywhere other than the WDC Website; or www.google.co.uk to take you anywhere different to Google UK.
Hosting
You need website hosting in order to have a live website. Essentially, the files/content for your website need to be “live” or “hosted” somewhere for use on your website. They would be hosted on a server capable of storing this data and allowing visitors to access this information.
Browser
A web browser is the programme, or app that you use to surf the internet. Chances are, you already know these “browsers” and how they work. They include: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari amongst others.
Traffic
I know you’re at a desk and not on the road! But like road traffic, everyone is visiting somewhere. Similarly, this is the amount of people visiting your website in any given period.
Conversion
Great, your website and web pages are bringing in traffic! But how many of these people are buying, subscribing or calling. Your conversion rate can be determined by looking at the number of people visiting the website VS the amount of people contacting your business.
Blog
An online publication that can vary from a diary, news basis to a brochure style. Blogging will add more content to your website on relevant web pages. By adding new content to your website, you give your site more opportunities to contain more keywords. Keywords are high on the list of things for search engine rankings. New, fresh content such as a blog allows you to optimise the article with relevant keywords that can attract visitors to your site.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
This particular piece of gobbledygook is a coded language that is used to create or implement extra features to a web page. For example, if you wish to add a YouTube video to a website, the HTML embed code is what you need to essentially “stick” it on your website.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
This is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web (or the internet to you and me). When you type in a website address/domain name you are sending a request by HTTP, this is used to send or load the requested page back to you.
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
Widely used across the internet, again this is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web (or the internet to you and me). The difference with HTTPS is it means all communication between your browser and the website are encrypted. This is particularly important when making purchases online (even encrypting payment information) and can be identified in the HTTPS prefix of the web page, and often a padlock in the upper left hand corner of your browser.
Hyperlink
The concept of a hyperlink or “link” is pretty simple really; it is a piece of text on a web page that can be clicked to access another web page. For Example: https://www.google.co.uk/ is a hyperlink, you can click it to go to Google, and is usually identifiable as it is in a different colour and usually underlined, when compared to the rest of the text.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
This is required to make your website secure, and give it the HTTPS prefix mentioned above. It is a standard security feature for establishing an encrypted links between a server and a client—typically a web server (website) and a browser, or a mail server and a mail client (e.g., Outlook).
Page Title
Every web page can have a title; these can often be found via Google in blue writing when your website appears as a result. They should be as relevant and accurate as possible to the page content. If your page is about Valentine’s roses, then “Flowers” might be a bit vague. Good page titles can help you generate more traffic and leads. (See Search Engine Optimisation for more information).
Page Description
As well as a page title, every web page can have a page description. These can also be found via Google and often appear as a short blurb; in black text. These too, should be as relevant and accurate as possible to the page content. If your page is about Valentine’s roses, then “Flowers” might be a bit vague. Good page descriptions can help you generate more traffic and leads. (See Search Engine Optimisation for more information).
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
On a basic level, SEO is the art of modifying a website in a way that helps increase your visibility on the internet; as well as generate and help convert more traffic. Basic examples include well written and accurate page descriptions and titles.
For example: Instead of “Flowers” use “An established florist delivering hand tied bouquets throughout Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough”.
As the second option contains more terms that are accurately describing the business, there are more opportunities for this option to appear when being searched for.
We hope that this helps you find your way through the internet’s minefield of website jargon. If it’s still a stumbling block for you, like we said earlier, you’re an expert in what you do. Your time is precious and can be spent doing what you do best. Let someone with a great understanding take care of the hard work for you.