Glossary of Digital Terms

Refers to adhering to web design and coding best practice and standards to ensure that everyone, including those with visual impairments, physical handicaps, or using older or less common devices and software, can easily view and utilise the websites features and functions. Given the rise of smaller screen devices like tablets and smartphones, it is crucial to prioritise accessibility for all users.

The section at the top of the computer screen where users type in a website's address, typically starting with "http://". It enables users to visit the desired website.

The text used in hyperlinks to refer to a specific web page. Anchor text plays a significant role in search engine results.

It is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. APIs define the methods and data formats that applications can use to request and exchange information, enabling seamless integration and interoperability between different systems or services. APIs are commonly used in all forums of web development, software development, and other areas to enable the exchange of data and functionality between different applications.

Refers to links on other websites that direct users to your site. Backlinks are essential for improving a site's popularity with search engines and driving more traffic. Google's algorithm considers the quality of backlinks and their anchor text to determine their importance.

Analogous to the capacity of a freeway, bandwidth measures the resources used by a website. More visitors to a website result in higher bandwidth usage.

Describes software that is currently in a testing phase and may have some issues or bugs. 

An online journal or diary used to share thoughts and ideas with a wide audience. Blogs are also popular marketing tools.

Occurs when an email sent to someone returns with an error message, indicating that it couldn't be delivered. Bounces can happen for various reasons, such as invalid addresses or full mailboxes.

The percentage of visitors who leave a website from the same page they entered without clicking through to other pages. It reflects website navigation, organisational brand, and content quality.

Encompasses all aspects of a business's public image, including messages, promotions, products, and actions. A logo design is only a part of a business's brand.

The software used to view websites on the internet. It decodes web page coding and presents an attractive page to the user.

Temporary storage on a computer that stores frequently accessed data, enabling faster loading times. Clearing the cache regularly helps maintain optimal computer performance.

A specific text, image, banner, or button that encourages visitors to take a particular action, such as downloading a whitepaper, registering for a webinar, or contacting the website owner. This is a starting point for a website project.

A slideshow or rotating display featured on web pages. Many WordPress slider plugins allow users to create and add sliders to their websites.

A dynamic website that allows the owner/user to manage content without requiring coding knowledge. It utilises a database to store and retrieve information. At CRE8IVE we work with Drupal, WordPress and GovCMS.

Represents the underlying language used to create websites and software. Different coding languages are employed for web development.

A representative sample or preview of a website's design.

Also known as CMS, it's a back-end tool that enables users to manage a site's content, separate from its design and functionality. Users can add, edit, or delete content without coding knowledge. At CRE8IVE we work with Drupal, WordPress and GovCMS.

A small piece of data stored on a user's computer by certain websites, often used to improve website performance or track user behaviour.

Refers to websites where information is stored in a database and dynamically retrieved to display on web pages, allowing for easy cross-referencing and varied data presentation.

A directory contains information about numerous websites, making it easy for users to find resources. 

Typeface designed to attract attention, commonly used in movie titles, magazine articles, and newspaper headlines.

A unique space on the internet, commonly represented by the website's name.

The user-friendly name assigned to a domain's numerical IP address, making it easier for people to remember and access a website. 

The process of transferring information from a website or server to a user's computer.

A navigational element with sub-menus or categories that appear below the main menu when clicked. 

A navigational menu containing links to various pages or categories, often displayed in multiple columns. 

The point on a web page that appears at the bottom of a user's browser window without scrolling. Content below the fold requires users to scroll to view it. 

A group designation for typefaces used in CSS documents, defining the appearance of text. 

A file format for images, including animated graphics and line-drawn images. GIF images can have transparent backgrounds.

The main image on a homepage or landing page, typically capturing users' attention and summates what the brand is about.

The visual arrangement of design elements, indicating their relative importance.

Refers to a company that provides the necessary resources, such as an IP address, physical space, and bandwidth, to make a website or email address accessible on the internet.

Hyper Text Markup Language, the foundation language for creating websites.

 HyperText Transfer Protocol, used to transfer information on the internet.

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, a secure version of HTTP using SSL encryption.

A link from one web page to another, represented by text or images. 

Inline Frame, used to display one or more web pages within another web page. 

Describes the organization and arrangement of content on a website to facilitate user navigation and interaction. 

Internet Protocol, a unique numerical address assigned to a domain on the internet.

A file format for images, especially photographs. JPG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group.

Words or phrases used to target specific topics or subjects on a web page for search engine optimisation.

The first page a visitor encounters upon entering a website, often designed to elicit a specific action.

A clickable area on a web page that leads to another web page or resource. 

Information contained in a web page's header that provides details about the page, usually not visible to human visitors.

HTML tags within a web page's head section, providing information for search engines and visitors.

The system that allows visitors to move around a website, typically including menus and links.

The software used to run a computer.

The process of improving an element's size or performance for web use. 

A permanent web address for a specific blog post.

Third-party code that extends a website's capabilities, typically used with a CMS or blogging platform.

Pay Per Click, an internet advertising model where advertisers pay a fee each time someone clicks on their ad.

The position of a website in search engine results.

Also known as RSS, a standardized XML format for syndicating content from one site to another.

Links between websites that agree to link to each other. 

An action triggered when a user hovers their mouse over an element, causing it to change appearance.

A program that collects, stores, and arranges information from the internet, allowing users to find websites and resources. 

Websites optimized for search engines, adhering to best practices. 

When a user searches for something using a search engine, the websites listed in response to that search comprise the "search engine listing."


Unlike a search engine listing, ranking indicates the precise position of a website on the list of search results. A higher ranking means the website appears closer to the top of the ‘first page’, making it more visible on the internet. 

The list of websites and links that a search engine displays in response to a user's search query is referred to as the search result. The goal of any website is to appear higher in the search result.

The practice of optimizing website coding and content to achieve the best possible search engine ranking. SEO practitioners are individuals who specialize in this field.

A computer used to host websites and store website data and emails. Hosting companies typically provide servers, maintaining them in specialised premises with constant internet connectivity.

An index containing all the content on a website, usually accessible from the homepage. It serves two purposes: helping users find desired information on the site and aiding search engines in discovering all the site's links.

A document containing branding guidelines, including colours, fonts, and other design elements, used for websites, brochures, books, or brands. It helps web developers follow the design specifications accurately, saving time and eliminating misunderstandings.

Any page on a website that isn't the homepage. In some contexts, it may refer to pages "nested" under one of the main navigation pages.
: A set of markup characters used around an element to indicate its start and end, often including HTML or other code to define its appearance and behavior on the webpage.

The artistic arrangement of typefaces in a visually appealing and readable manner, enhancing the communication of ideas on a webpage.

A typeface with small decorative strokes (serifs) at the end of horizontal and vertical lines. Serif typefaces typically convey a professional, authoritative, and traditional appearance.

A typeface without the small decorative serif strokes. Sans serif typefaces usually have a more modern, stylish, and clean appearance compared to serif fonts. 

The process of placing a website's content, including information, pages, pictures, etc., onto the server hosting the website, making it accessible to the world wide web.

A website address containing all the necessary information to locate a specific resource on the internet. For example, www.c8.digital is the URL of this website.

Refers to how easily visitors can navigate and use a website as intended. It involves evaluating the user-friendliness of navigation, content, images, and interactive elements to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience.


A single page on a website, as opposed to the entire website. Web pages do not have fixed height and width limitations but are constrained by good design principles and practicality.

The entire collection of content and web pages that define what visitors see and interact with when they access a specific website address.

The location of a website, usually typed as www.c8.digital

The space around elements on a webpage, which does not necessarily have to be white. White space allows elements to stand out and enhances the overall visual appeal of the page.

A term for the Internet, denoting the interconnected system of websites and online resources.