Confused by web design jargon? You’re not alone.
If you’re a Perth business owner investing in a new website, understanding the language your web designer uses is crucial. Whether you’re launching your first website or revamping an old one, this simple web design glossary explains the most common web design and development terms in plain English.
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Why all business owners should learn the basics through our Web Design glossary
As a Perth Web Design and Development Agency, we’ve worked with countless business owners and other agencies across various industries – from retail to real estate – and one thing is always clear: a basic grasp of web design terms saves time, reduces confusion and leads to better results.
Let’s break down the lingo.
Essential Web Design terms for Perth Businesses
- Responsive Design
A website layout that adjusts automatically to look great on all devices – including desktop, tablet and mobile. - Wireframe
A basic layout or blueprint of a web page – just structure, which is used early in the design phase to map out content and flow. Read more about wireframing through our article “Wireframe to Launch: The Web Design Process Explained for Small Business Owners“ - UX (User Experience)
How users feel when navigating your website. A good UX means your site is easy to use and intuitive. Generally, better UX = higher engagement + more leads. - UI (User Interface)
The visual elements users interact with — buttons, menus, sliders, carousels, accordions etc. The UI brings your brand’s personality to life online. - CMS (Content Management System)
A platform that lets you edit your website without coding. Popular CMS platforms in Perth include WordPress, Webflow, Squarespace, Wix and Shopify. They are great for all sizes of businesses that want control over content. Read more about WordPress through our article “Unlocking the power of WordPress: Benefits and advantages for your business“ - Plugins
Add-ons that add features to your website (like forms, sliders, or security) – these are in conjunction with your chosen CMS. - Backend
The behind-the-scenes part of your website, where you (and the developer) manage content, code, and settings. - Frontend
The part of your website that visitors see and interact with. The public-facing view of your site. - SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
The process of improving your website to rank higher on Google (and other search engines) and attract organic traffic. For example, using “Perth” or your suburb name in meta tags and headings to improve local SEO. - Sitemap
A plan of all the pages on your website and how they connect. - Call to Action (CTA)
A button or message prompting users to take an action — e.g. “Book a Free Quote” or “Call Now” Well-placed CTAs convert visitors into leads. - Above the Fold
The area of your website that’s visible without scrolling. This is considered prime real estate, so it is important to make it count through headlines and CTAs - Staging Site
A private test version of your website where you can check changes before going live. These are not indexed by Google. - Favicon
The tiny icon that appears next to your website name in a browser tab. - Domain Name
Your web address, e.g., yourbusiness.com.au. Choosing a Perth-relevant domain name can help local branding and SEO. Read more about domain names through our article “The difference between domain extensions and why .com.au is important for Australian businesses“ - Hosting
The service that stores your website’s files. It is like renting space on the internet so people can visit your website anytime. Without hosting, no one can see your site online. Users expect fast-loading sites, especially on mobile, so it is important to use an Australian-based hosting provider. - SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate is like a security lock for your website. It protects your visitors’ information and shows the little padlock 🔒 in the browser, so people know your site is safe to use. - Cache
A stored version of your site that helps it load faster for repeat visitors. - Analytics
Tools that track who visits your site and what they do (e.g., Google Analytics). - Accessibility
Designing your website so it’s usable for everyone, including those with disabilities. It isn’t just for ethical purposes – it’s also best practice and good for SEO.
Need help translating this Web Design glossary and jargon into results?
At Visual Intent, we help Perth business owners understand and succeed online, without the tech head scratching. Whether you’re starting from scratch or rebranding, we explain the process in simple terms and focus on results.
Feel free to reach out and let’s chat about your next website project.