As a business owner, understanding basic website terminology is important for the success of your business. Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your brand, and knowing the essentials—like how your site is found, secured, and functions—empowers you to make informed decisions.

It helps you work more effectively with web professionals like us, and ensures your site is optimized for search engines.

Your knowledge is power and it helps safeguard your online presence.

In short, having a solid grasp of these terms means you can better leverage your website to grow your business and stay competitive.

1. Domain Name

• This is your website’s address on the internet, like “yourbusinessname.co.nz.” It’s what people type in to find your website. You register a domain name with a domain registrar as they are all unique. You will pay a yearly fee to keep the name registered. This generally costs between $16-50 per year dollars depending on the domain name.

2. URL

• The full web address people see in their browser, e.g., https://www.yourbusinessname.co.nz/home. The domain name is part of the URL, along with other bits of information that tell the browser where to go.
• Stand for Uniform Resource Locator

3. IP Address

• A unique string of numbers assigned to every device connected to the internet. It’s like your website’s “home address” that helps browsers find it.

4. DNS (Domain Name System)

• This is like the internet’s phone book. DNS translates your domain name (e.g., yourbusinessname.co.nz) into the actual IP address where your website is hosted, helping people reach your site. Your domain records tells a browser and email how to operate. Your web developer needs to have access to these records, via your domain registrar. It’s important to keep this information handy (including your logins) and emails from your domain registrar.
  • For some registrars, you can delegate access of your domain to your developer (you just need the email address they have on file with this registrar or they will need to set up an account). This saves the hassle of sending passwords and logins.
  • Delegate your DNS at GoDaddy

5. SSL Certificate (Secure Sockets Layer)

• This is a security feature that encrypts data on your website, showing visitors it’s safe to browse or make payments. It’s what makes your site show up as “https://” instead of just “http://.”

6. Website Server

• The computer where all your website’s data is stored and managed. When someone visits your site, the server sends all the files and information (like text and images) to their browser.

7. Website Platform

• This is the system or software used to build and manage your website. Popular examples include WordPress, Wix, or Shopify. The platform makes it easy to create, update, and run your site.

8. CMS (Content Management System) – also called Website Platform, Website Builder

• A tool that allows you to easily update your website content without needing to know how to code. WordPress is a common CMS.

9. Hosting

• Think of hosting as renting space on the internet for your website. Your website’s files are stored on a server (see above), and hosting is the service that makes sure your site is live and accessible.

10. Bandwidth

• The amount of data that can be transferred from your website to visitors in a given period. Think of it as the size of the pipeline delivering content to users—more bandwidth means faster performance for more visitors.

11. Cache

• Temporary storage of website data to help it load faster for repeat visitors. If users see outdated content, clearing the cache often solves the problem. You may have to purge cache when changes are made or clear your browser cookies to see certain elements on the page.

12. Backend

• The part of the website you don’t see as a visitor—where all the management happens. It’s the admin area where you update content, manage users, and handle website settings.

13. Frontend

• The visible part of the website that visitors interact with, such as images, text, buttons, and forms.

14. Plugins

• Additional tools or software you can add to your website to enhance functionality. For example, you might add a plugin for social sharing buttons, contact forms, or site analytics.

15. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

• Techniques used to improve how your website ranks on search engines like Google, helping more people find your business online.

We have more website terminology! See key terms for :

• Website & Home Page Design Anatomy
• SEO, Analytics and Metrics

15. Responsive Design

This means your website looks and works well on any device, from mobile phones to tablets to desktop computers. It ensures your customers have a good experience, no matter how they view your site.

10. CTA (Call to Action)

• A prompt that encourages visitors to take a specific action on your site, such as “Sign Up,” “Buy Now,” or “Contact Us.” Effective CTAs drive engagement and conversions.

13. Alt Text (Alternative Text)

• A description added to images on your site for accessibility and SEO purposes. It’s what search engines and screen readers see when images don’t load.

Excerpt

Featured Image

Posts / Blog

Categories / Tags

Top of Fold / Hero Section

SEO / Analytics

Keywords

Long tail keywords

13. Alt Text (Alternative Text)

• A description added to images on your site for accessibility and SEO purposes. It’s what search engines and screen readers see when images don’t load.

8. 301 Redirect

• A permanent redirect from one URL to another. It’s often used when pages are moved or deleted, so users don’t land on a broken page.

9. Bounce Rate

• The percentage of visitors who leave your website after viewing just one page. A high bounce rate can mean that people aren’t finding what they need.