Browse 35 essential website design terms and definitions used by professionals in Dandenong.
Term Index
Every term and its definition, all on this page.
Accessibility is the practice of designing websites, content, and digital tools so people with disabilities can perceive, navigate, understand, and use them. Accessibility commonly requires support for keyboard navigation, readable text contrast, alternative text for images, and compatibility with screen readers.
Alt Text is a written description added to an image in HTML so screen readers can convey image meaning and browsers can display fallback text. Alt Text should describe the image purpose rather than every visual detail. Especially when an image functions as a link or button.
Backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another website. Search engines often treat backlinks as signals of relevance and authority, but link value depends on factors such as source quality, topical fit, and whether the link was earned naturally or placed manually.
Bounce Rate is the percentage of website visits that end after a single page view and no further interaction. Bounce Rate is commonly used to assess landing page relevance or traffic quality. Although a high result can also reflect quick answers or single-page designs.
CSS is a style sheet language that controls the visual presentation of HTML content on websites. CSS separates design from structure, which lets developers apply consistent fonts, colours, spacing, and responsive layouts across many pages without changing underlying content.
Cache is temporary stored data that allows a computer, browser, server, or website to load repeated content faster. Cache commonly holds copies of files, pages, or query results. Cache must be refreshed or cleared when stored content becomes outdated and starts serving old versions.
Domain Authority is a third-party SEO metric that estimates how likely a website is to rank in search results compared with competing websites. Search engines do not use Domain Authority directly, and different SEO platforms calculate similar scores with different methods and data sources.
Favicon is a small website icon that appears in browser tabs, bookmarks, and mobile shortcuts to help identify a site quickly. A favicon usually uses a simple design at very small sizes, so clear shapes and strong contrast matter more than detailed artwork.
Frontend is the part of a website or web application that users see and interact with in a browser. Frontend work usually involves page layout, visual styling, navigation, and responsive behaviour, and commonly uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to present content and handle user input.
Google Analytics is a web analytics platform that measures website traffic, user behaviour, and conversion activity through tagged data collection and reporting. Google Analytics commonly tracks page views, traffic sources, and events, though data accuracy depends on correct setup, consent settings, and reporting configuration.
HTML is the standard markup language used to structure content on web pages. HTML defines elements such as headings, paragraphs, links, images, and forms, while web browsers read the markup to display page content and support accessibility, navigation, and search engine interpretation.
HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol that transfers web pages and data between a browser and a website. HTTPS uses TLS encryption to protect information in transit and to verify that a browser is connected to the correct server.
Header Tags are HTML heading elements that organise page content into a clear hierarchy for readers and search engines. Proper use usually follows a logical order from H1 to lower levels, which improves scannability, supports accessibility, and helps search systems interpret topic structure.
Inbound Link is a hyperlink from another website that points to a page on a target website. Search engines often treat an inbound link as a signal of relevance or authority, although link quality, source context, and editorial intent matter more than raw link count.
JavaScript is a programming language used to add behaviour, logic, and interactivity to websites and web applications. JavaScript runs in web browsers and on servers through platforms such as Node.js. Which allows the same language to support both client-side features and backend development.
Keyword Density is the proportion of times a keyword or phrase appears in a page's text compared with the total word count. Search professionals use keyword density as a rough relevance signal, but modern search engines judge overall context, meaning, and readability more heavily.
Landing Page improvement is the systematic improvement of a webpage to increase the share of visitors who complete a desired action, such as submitting a form or making a purchase. Landing Page improvement commonly tests headlines, layout, messaging, and calls to action against user behaviour and conversion data.
Lazy Loading is a web speed technique that delays loading nonessential page resources until a user needs them. Lazy Loading commonly applies to images, videos, and embedded content below the initial screen, which can reduce initial page weight and speed up first render.
Meta Description is a HTML attribute that summarises a web page's content for search engines and users. Search platforms often display Meta Description as the preview text beneath a page title in results, although search platforms may replace Meta Description when another passage better matches a query.
Mobile Responsiveness is the ability of a website to adapt layout, text, images, and navigation to different screen sizes and orientations. A mobile responsive website typically uses flexible grids and media queries so content stays readable and usable on phones, tablets, and desktop screens.
Navigation Menu is a simple set of links that helps users move between pages, sections, or functions within a website or application. Navigation menus usually appear in a header, sidebar, or footer and should reflect the site structure clearly enough to support fast, predictable access.
Page Speed is the measure of how quickly a web page loads and becomes usable for visitors. Page Speed is commonly assessed through load time, visual stability, and responsiveness, because slower pages often reduce user satisfaction and can weaken search reach.
Pagination is the method of dividing digital content into separate pages or screen views to improve navigation, loading, and organisation. Pagination commonly appears on product listings, blog archives, and search results, where page numbers or next and previous links help users move through large sets of content.
Pixel is the smallest controllable unit of a digital image or screen display. Each pixel stores colour and brightness data, and large groups of pixels combine to form text, graphics, and photographs at a chosen resolution.
Responsive Design is a web design approach that adapts page layout, images, and navigation to different screen sizes and device capabilities. Responsive Design commonly uses flexible grids, scalable media, and CSS breakpoints so one website remains usable and readable across phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
SSL is a security protocol that encrypts data sent between a web browser and a website server. SSL now usually refers to TLS in modern web use, and websites commonly signal an active secure connection with HTTPS and a padlock icon in the browser.
SSL Certificate is a digital credential that verifies a website’s identity and enables encrypted communication between a browser and a web server. Modern websites usually use SSL certificates through the TLS protocol, and browsers warn users when a valid certificate is missing or expired.
Schema Markup is simple data added to website code to describe page content in a standard format that search engines can interpret. Schema Markup commonly uses vocabulary from Schema.org and often appears as JSON-LD to support rich results like reviews, events, products, and FAQs.
Sitemap is a simple file or page that lists a website’s important URLs to show site organisation and support discovery by users or search engines. XML sitemaps are mainly for crawlers. While HTML sitemaps are designed for human navigation across larger websites.
Tag Manager is a system that lets website owners add, update, and control tracking codes through one interface instead of editing site files directly. A tag manager usually supports analytics, advertising, and event tracking, and often includes version control and publishing rules for safer deployment.
UI Design is the practice of shaping the visual layout and interactive elements of a digital product so people can understand and use screens efficiently. UI Design typically covers buttons, menus, forms, spacing, colour, and feedback, while aligning appearance with usability and brand standards.
UX Design is the practice of shaping how people experience a website, app, or digital product during use. UX Design focuses on research, information structure, usability, and task flow so users can complete goals efficiently, clearly, and with less friction.
Web Accessibility Initiative is a program of the World Wide Web Consortium that develops guidance and standards to make websites and web technologies usable for people with disabilities. Web Accessibility Initiative is best known for publishing the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which many organisations use to plan accessible design and compliance work.
Wireframe is a simple visual outline of a webpage, app screen, or digital interface that shows structure, content placement, and user pathways without final design details. Wireframes usually use basic shapes and labels so teams can test layout, hierarchy, and functionality before visual design or development begins.
XML Sitemap is a machine-readable file that lists important pages on a website so search engines can discover and understand site structure more efficiently. XML Sitemap commonly includes page URLs, update dates, and crawl priorities, but search engines may ignore priority values when ranking results.
