Website glossary in plain English
A glossary of website, SEO, and AI terms for business owners who build or manage a website. You get a short definition here, and each term links to its own page with more context.
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Website, SEO and AI knowledge base
The knowledge base has 38 terms in four categories. Search for a term or pick a category: each term has its own page with practical advice and reliable sources.
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Websites and web development
API
a defined interface through which software can request or send data, or use an approved function in another system.
Read the definitionAstro
a web framework that can render pages ahead of time or on demand, and sends as little JavaScript as possible to the browser by default.
Read the definitionBackup
a separate copy of data and configuration that can be used to restore a website after data loss, an error or an attack.
Read the definitionCaching
temporarily storing an earlier response or file so a later request can be handled faster and with less server work.
Read the definitionCall to action
a clearly worded prompt to take a specific next step, such as getting in touch, viewing prices or requesting a quote.
Read the definitionCDN
a network of servers in different locations that stores and delivers copies of website files closer to visitors.
Read the definitionCheckout
the process through which a customer reviews an order, enters contact and delivery details, chooses a payment method and completes the purchase.
Read the definitionCopywriting
writing and editing copy to help a specific audience understand an offer, trust it and act on it.
Read the definitionDesign system
a coherent collection of design rules, components and patterns that keeps a website consistent and maintainable.
Read the definitionFrontend
the part of a website that runs in the visitor’s browser: structure, styling and interaction.
Read the definitionLanding page
a page focused on one specific goal or audience, with a clear call to action and minimal distraction.
Read the definitionMobile-first
designing and building for the smallest screen first, then expanding the experience for larger screens.
Read the definitionPayment provider
a service provider that enables online payment methods and handles payment requests, status updates and often payouts.
Read the definitionResponsive web design
a design approach in which the layout adapts fluidly to a device’s screen size and capabilities.
Read the definitionSemantic HTML
using HTML elements according to their meaning, so browsers, search engines and assistive technologies can understand the structure.
Read the definitionSSL certificate
a digital certificate that enables encrypted traffic between a visitor and a website and helps verify the site’s identity.
Read the definitionStatic website
a website of pre-built pages delivered to every visitor in the same form, without server-side rendering per request.
Read the definitionUX
the overall experience of using a website, including how easy it is to find information, understand it and complete a task.
Read the definitionWeb accessibility
the extent to which everyone, including people who use assistive technologies, can use a website.
Read the definitionWeb hosting
the service and infrastructure that keeps a website’s files online and accessible, with provisions for performance, security and updates.
Read the definitionWebsite maintenance
keeping a website current, safe and fast through updates, monitoring, backups and targeted improvements.
Read the definitionCMS and Storyblok
CMS
software for managing pages, copy, images and other website content without making every change directly in the code.
Read the definitionContent model
the agreed structure of content types, fields and relationships in a CMS, designed around what editors need.
Read the definitionHeadless CMS
a CMS that manages content but leaves the presentation to a separate frontend, connected via an API.
Read the definitionSEO, speed and search visibility
Canonical URL
the preferred version of a page when the same or similar content is available through multiple URLs.
Read the definitionConversion
the moment a visitor completes a desired action, such as getting in touch, making a purchase or signing up.
Read the definitionCore Web Vitals
Google’s user experience metrics for loading performance, responsiveness and visual stability, measured with real-world usage data.
Read the definitionField data
performance measurements collected during real website visits, rather than in a controlled lab test.
Read the definitionSEO
improving a website’s visibility in search engines through technical work, content, structure and measurement.
Read the definitionSERP
the page a search engine displays after a search, which can include organic results, ads, and rich results.
Read the definitionSpearman rank correlation
a statistical measure of how closely two rankings agree, from −1 (opposite order) through 0 (no monotonic association) to +1 (the same order).
Read the definitionStructured data
machine-readable information about a page’s content, added in a standardized format such as schema.org.
Read the definitionWeb analytics
collecting and interpreting data about visitors, traffic sources and behavior to make better decisions.
Read the definitionAI & automation
AI agent
software that carries out multi-step tasks under human direction, with clear permissions, boundaries and checks.
Read the definitionCron
a scheduler in operating systems that automatically runs tasks at preset times, such as a script every night or on the first day of each month.
Read the definitionQuantization
storing the weights of an AI model with fewer bits per number, so the model needs less memory and can run on smaller hardware, at the cost of a small loss in accuracy.
Read the definitionWebhook
an automatic notification from one system to another when a specific event occurs, so data can flow without manual action.
Read the definitionWorkflow automation
automating recurring business processes with clear steps, triggers and human checkpoints.
Read the definitionReady to make a concrete decision?
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