Glossary: A-M
Absolute Linking
Absolute linking is the means of linking to another file that's based on the absolute position of the file that is being linked to. As a result, absolute linking always includes the full path of the file, that is being linked, in the link source or reference.
Adobe, Inc.
Adobe, Inc. is a company that develops Adobe Flash and the Flash Player.
AJAX
AJAX stands for Asynchronous Javascript and XML. AJAX uses Javascript and XML to communicate with a server while the user continues to interact with the page. The use of AJAX can streamline the functionality of a web page, since it doesn't disrupt the user. This increased functionality is lost if the visitor has Javascript disabled.
Alternate Text
Alternate Text also known as "alt text" is a modifier for the Image tag. It allows a HTML document to describe a picture that's being displayed with the Image tag. Alternate text aids in usability by describing pictures to visitors who have pictures disabled.
Anchor Tag <a>
The Anchor tag is a HTML tag used to link different web pages together. They can also be used to link to different files. They comprise the primary form of navigating the Internet. Visitors use Anchor tags by clicking on the text links to access a different web page, image, file, or website.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the transfer of data from one computer to another. High bandwidth connections load files faster than low bandwidth connections.
Blog
A blog is an online journal or website in which the author writes articles about various topics of interest. A blog can be used to increase the search engine ranking of a site as the articles will increase the amount of content associated with a website.
Body Tag <body>
The Body tag is is a HTML tag used for displaying a website's content. Unlike the Head tag, any information you place within the body tag will be viewable to your visitors. Only one Body tag is needed per HTML document.
Brainstorming
The creative means of generating a variety of ideas surrounding a particular topic. Brainstorming focuses on creating as many diverse ideas as possible.
Cascading StyleSheets (CSS)
CSS stands for Cascading StyleSheets. CSS files contain information regarding the website's style, layout, and color scheme. HTML documents link to CSS files.
Client-Side Scripting
Client-side scripting are pieces of code, usually written in Javascript, that are executed by the web browser when a user visits a page. The client-side code can process form fields as well as change the colors and layout of a website. Although client-side scripts can increase the abilities of a website, their functionality depends on the visitor and whether he has enabled client-side scripting in his browser.
Content Management System (CMS)
A content management system (CMS) is an open source application that allows a website owner to add, edit, or modify different sections of his website with little to no knowledge of computers, HTML, or code. Content management systems use server-side scripts and a database to maintain organization and functionality of a site.
Conversion Rate
The conversion rate is the ratio of visitors that buy or contact you to your total number of visitors. Conversion rates can be used to determine the average value of each visitor to your website.
Cost per Thousand (CPM) Impressions
Impressions are advertisements in which you are charged a fee for having your advertisement exposed to visitors. Unlike PPC ads, you are charged regardless whether the user visits your site or not.
Database
A database is a software package that enables servers to store data that can later be retrieved for use. Different databases include: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Access and Oracle.
Doctype
Doctype is short for "document type." Doctype is usually written at the beginning of HTML documents to explain what kind of HTML document is being displayed. This helps different web browsers display the document correctly.
Domain Name
A domain name is the web address you type to visit a specific website. Instead of typing in an unmemorable IP Address, domain names make it easier to remember the specific location of a website.
Domain Name System (DNS)
A domain name system is a registry that contains a list of websites and the domain names with which they're associated. When a user types a specific web address into a browser, Internet Service Provider looks up the website associated with that web address and then loads the information found at the IP address.
E-Commerce
E-commerce is the ability to sell products, goods and services online. Multiple components are required to effectively create an e-commerce website. These components include a SSL certificate, Shopping Cart Script and Merchant Account.
FAQ
FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. A FAQ is a specific page on a site that consists of common questions and answers for visitors. This page helps cuts down on the amount of emails you receive as most visitors will get their common questions answered from the website.
Flash
Developed by Adobe, Inc., Flash is a proprietary means of displaying interactive media. Pictures, text and animations are all incorporated into a Flash document. Unlike HTML, Flash requires a special plug-in in order to function properly. This plug-in freely available to the public and is usually already installed in most web browsers.
Freelancer
A web designer and developer that usually works alone. The freelancer may outsource some of his work to independent contractors depending upon the tasks. Otherwise, a freelancer will do all of the work associated with developing a website.
FTP
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. Computers use this protocol to communicate with each other when transferring files across the Internet.
FTP Account
A FTP account is an account required to access a web host using the File Transfer Protocol. A FTP account consists of a login and password, which are required to upload, delete and sometimes download files on a web server.
FTP Client
A FTP client is a software application used to transfer from files from a user's computer to the host's server. FTP clients are essentially a remote file manager for web servers.
Google is perhaps the most popular search engine in the world. Google tracks, records and organizes billions of web pages so people may find what they're looking for when they search the Internet.
Head Tag <head>
The Head tag is a HTML tag and it enables a web page to link to other documents. Cascading StyleSheets and client-side scripts, including JavaScript, can all be linked within the head tag. Anything within the Head tag is not displayed by the web browser, but can still have an effect on the visitor's experience.
Header Tags <h1> through <h6>
Header tags are HTML tags used to display different types of headlines in web pages. They're used to help break up a HTML document into different sections of content. Header tags are numbered in reverse order in relation to their hierarchy. The primary Header tag is the <h1> tag. The least significant Header tag is the <h6> tag.
Hexadecimal Color Codes
A hexadecimal color code is a 6 digit value preceded by "#" that tells a web browser to display a specific color. The 6 digit code is broken up into 3 sections. Each section contains two characters. The first two characters denote the red value of the color. The second two characters denote the green value of the color and the last two digits denote the blue value of the color. Hexadecimal color codes give web developers greater control over color selection as they can create and mix new colors without having to solely use predefined colors.
Horizontal Portal
A horizontal portal is the Internet version of the phone book. It lists a variety of businesses and organizations within a specific location.
Host
A host is a company or organization that supplies the ability and infrastructure to publish websites on the Internet. A host maintains multiple computers and high bandwidth network connections which enable it to serve a variety of websites to visitors.
Hosting
Hosting is the means of publishing a website on the Internet. When hosting a website, the website owner pays a fee to have his site placed on a server so that other people may access his content.
HTML
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. The majority of websites on the Internet is coded in HTML or a variation. HTML pages contain text, but link to Cascading StyleSheets, pictures and client-side scripts in order to effectively render a page.
HTML Tag
All HTML is composed of different HTML tags. Tags are used to form different elements, which help web browsers display different types of data. HTML tags are formed by the opening and closing brackets.
Hybridization
Hybridization is the merging of two different models of a website together. Adding an online forum to a picture gallery website combines elements of social networking sites with informational sites. The degree of hybridization is entirely up to the website owners as they employ different technologies to suit their needs.
Image Tag <img>
The Image tag is a HTML tag used to link images to web pages. Image tags are the means in which web pages display images on the Internet.
IP Address
An IP (Internet Protocol) Address helps organize the Internet. Every computer directly connected to the Internet has a specific IP Address.
Javascript
The primary language for client-side scripts, Javascript can make superficial changes to a website. It can check form inputs for accuracy and can also be used along with XML (AJAX) to communicate with a server. Javascript can increase the functionality of a website as long as the visitor has Javascript enabled.
Keyword
A keyword is a phrase or specific word which people search for when looking for information in the form of text and pictures.
Keyword Density
Keyword density is the ratio of keywords to text within a document. Documents with a high keyword density can sometimes have a higher ranking among the search engines, since they are more context specific. Documents with a very high keyword density are usually blacklisted by search engines as they may be attempting to manipulate the system.
Link
A link is a string of text or a picture that allows a person to traverse from one document or website to another without having to type in a specific address. Links streamline the means in which people navigate the Internet.
Link Popularity
Link popularity is determined by how many websites link to a single site. A website that is linked to by multiple sites will have a high link popularity. A website that isn't linked to any other site will have a very low link popularity. Google calculates link popularity to determine the value and pertinence of a website.