Website Technology Glossary

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript)

A group of interrelated languages used to create interactive web applications. AJAX allows for movement without reloading the page, such as expanding menus or layered tabs.

Article Page

A page with primarily textual content. (Website Example E)

Breadcrumbs

A clickable pathway that shows you where you are within a website in relation to the homepage. Breadcrumbs are typically positioned between the top banner and content. (Website Example E)

Buckets of Content

Distinct sections of content on your site. Buckets are often used to describe the primary navigation of your site. (Website Example A)

CMS (Content Management System)

This software makes it easier to manage the content of your website. It allows you to add, edit, and delete pages, and manage related content that is automatically updated across the site. A technology vendor will start with a sitemap, wireframes, designs, and other documentation and develop it in the CMS.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

When a designer creates a web design and it’s HTML code, he/she sets CSS to define the text and paragraph styles used throughout the site.

Comps (Comprehensives)

Design mock-ups of your site that require feedback and rounds of revisions to become a final product. Once the look and feel is set, they are made web ready by creating HTML and CSS.

Crosslinks

Links to related content in two or more places within a website; they guide a user through the site in a meaningful way based on organizational and site goals. (Website Example B)

Dashboard

This is often referred to with software that has an administrative area (CMS, email system, analytics program, etc.) The user logs in to their “dashboard” where they can administer their website or a particular tool.

Dynamic

Describes content that has been given rules (by the CMS). Allows for easy updating so you can edit content once and have it reflected in multiple places. (opposite: static) (Website Example D)

Flash

Technology, programmed by the provider, that creates animation and interaction on your website. (Website Example D)

Front End/Back End

The visual component that the user sees/interacts with vs. the hidden technological system that gives the site functionality.

HTML (Web Language)

Set of markup symbols or codes inserted in a web design fileintended for display on the web.

Homepage

This is the main or first page of your website.

Landing Page (Main Page or Front Page)

The first page you arrive on for each main section or bucket of content on your site. (Website Example A)

List Page (Index Page)

A page with a list of multiple items such as headlines or blurbs. Is ideal for users to scan, choose, and access specific content. (Website Example C)

Modules

Content that is grouped into distinct areas within a page of your site. (Website Example D)

Navigation

A system of links that takes a user though the pages of content within your site. Think of these as parents, children, and grandchildren.

Primary (Main, Top Level)
Main content/navigation (parent) areas as defined by your sitemap. (Website Example E)

Secondary
Sub-items (children) that are a click away from your primary navigation. (Website Example E)

Tertiary
Sub-items of secondary navigation (grandchildren of primary.) (Website Example E)

Sidebar Content

Quick links appearing on the right or left-hand sides of a page, which go to related content and/or consistent elements such as a “donate” button. (Website Example A)

Slicing (Cutting Up or Coding a Design)

Process by which Photoshop documents are cut into small pieces, making them functional, clean, HTML template pages ready to be filled with content and posted on the Internet.

Sitemap (Information Architecture)

A representation of the architecture of your website that comes in the form of an Excel file, tree diagram, or other similar document. It shows the content hierarchy for your site, lists all the pages, and provides content, technical notes and information about the goals of particular pages.

Static

Describes content that lives on only one page within a website and will not change unless it is edited directly. (opposite: dynamic) (Website Example B)

Template

A preset format or model that sets out the structure (not content) of a page. Templates are used for e-newsletters, emails, or interior web pages so you can edit content as you wish without changing your overall design.

WYSIWYG editor (What You See Is What You Get)

Part of a CMS that allows you to create or edit page content in an environment much like Microsoft Word.

Wireframe (Architectural Plans)

A planning tool used to determine how content will be organized on the homepage and interior pages. It details where navigation is located on the page, what content takes up most of the page “real estate” and where text and images will be positioned. (Defined by your audience(s) needs.)