The following are specialized, technical words and phrases commonly used in the context of websites and web development, along with their definitions.
Accessibility (WCAG) – Guidelines that ensure web content is usable by individuals with disabilities, including those using screen readers or other assistive technologies.
Alt Text (Alternative Text) – Descriptive text added to images to provide context for visually impaired users and to improve SEO.
Analytics – Data that tracks user behavior on a website, such as page views, time on site, and conversion rates.
API (Application Programming Interface) – A set of rules that allows different software systems to communicate and share data.
Approval Workflow – A structured process that ensures content is reviewed and approved by the appropriate stakeholders before being published. Approval workflows help maintain quality, consistency, and compliance with institutional standards.
Archiving – The process of removing outdated or irrelevant content from public view while preserving it for future reference or compliance purposes. Archiving prevents clutter and maintains an organized site without deleting historical data.
Back-End – The part of a website that users don’t see, where data is stored and managed. It includes databases, servers, and applications that power the site.
Breadcrumbs – A navigation aid that shows users their path through the website hierarchy, making it easier to backtrack to previous pages.
Call to Action (CTA) – A prompt that encourages users to take a specific action, such as “Sign Up,” “Learn More,” or “Apply Now.”
Change Management – A formalized approach to introducing and managing changes to a website’s structure, content, or functionality. Change management ensures that updates are planned, communicated, and implemented smoothly to minimize disruptions.
CMS (Content Management System) – Software that allows users to create, manage, and publish digital content for websites and apps, typically without requiring coding knowledge.
Content Audit – A comprehensive review of all website content to assess its quality, relevance, and effectiveness. A content audit helps identify outdated content, broken links, SEO opportunities, and gaps in information.
Content Governance – The set of policies, roles, and procedures that guide how content is created, reviewed, published, and maintained. Effective content governance ensures consistency, accuracy, and compliance across all web pages.
Content Lifecycle – The various stages content goes through from creation to publication, maintenance, and eventual retirement. Understanding the content lifecycle helps ensure that web content remains relevant and up to date.
Content Owner – The individual or department responsible for ensuring that content within a specific section of the website is accurate, relevant, and regularly updated. Content owners are typically subject matter experts (SMEs) who collaborate with web managers and editors.
Content Strategy – A long-term plan that defines how content will be created, published, and maintained to meet institutional goals. Content strategy considers audience needs, brand voice, and SEO best practices.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) – A style sheet language used to control the visual presentation of a website, including layout, colors, and fonts.
Data Migration – The process of transferring data from one system or platform to another during a website transition.
Design System – A Design System is a comprehensive set of guidelines, reusable components, and best practices that ensure consistency, efficiency, and scalability across a website or digital platform. It provides a unified framework that includes design standards, UI components, code snippets, and documentation, enabling teams to create and maintain cohesive digital experiences.
DNS (Domain Name System) – The system that translates domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to locate websites.
Domain Name – The web address (URL) that users type into their browser to access a website.
Favicon – A small icon associated with a website that appears in browser tabs and bookmarks.
Front-End – The visible part of a website that users interact with, including the layout, design, and user interface.
Governance Model – A framework that defines who is responsible for decision-making, content approval, and overall website management. Governance models typically include centralized, decentralized, or hybrid approaches: Centralized Model: A single team manages and controls content across the entire site. Decentralized Model: Multiple departments have control over their own content, with limited oversight. Hybrid Model: Combines centralized oversight with decentralized content contributions.
Heatmap – A visual representation that shows where users interact the most on a webpage, helping identify areas for improvement.
Hero Banner – A large, prominent image or visual section, often located at the top of a homepage or landing page, that grabs users’ attention. It typically includes a compelling call to action (CTA) and summarizes key information or announcements.
Information Architecture (IA) – The process of structuring and organizing content on a website to make it easy for users to find what they need. IA includes defining the site’s navigation, labeling systems, and content hierarchy to create a logical flow of information.
Information Governance – A broader discipline that includes website governance but extends to managing digital assets, documents, and institutional records. Information governance ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and institutional policies.
Intranet – A private, internal network used by an organization to share information, facilitate communication, and enable collaboration among employees.
Iteration – Continuous improvements made to a website based on user feedback and data.
JavaScript (JS) – A programming language that adds interactivity and functionality to websites.
Landing Page – A standalone web page designed to capture visitor interest and encourage a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter, downloading a document, or registering for an event. Landing pages often feature minimal distractions and a focused CTA.
Maintenance Plan – A structured plan for performing regular updates, security checks, and content reviews to keep the website running smoothly. A solid maintenance plan ensures that the site remains secure, accessible, and optimized. Key Tasks: Reviewing and updating content on a schedule. Fixing broken links and addressing 404 errors. Monitoring website performance and uptime.
Metadata – Data that provides information about a webpage, including title tags, meta descriptions, and keywords. Metadata helps search engines understand what a page is about and improves search engine rankings.
Microcopy – Small snippets of text that guide users through an interface, such as button labels, error messages, and form instructions. Thoughtfully crafted microcopy can enhance user experience by making actions intuitive and reducing confusion.
Mockup – A static visual representation of a web page or application that shows the design and layout before coding begins.
Navigation Menu – A system of links that allows users to explore a website’s content. Primary navigation menus typically appear at the top of a webpage and provide access to key sections, while secondary menus may include additional options.
Pattern Library – A collection of common design patterns that solve recurring UX challenges. These patterns define how components should behave in different scenarios to enhance usability and accessibility.
Permalink – A permanent URL that points to a specific blog post, page, or other piece of web content. Permalinks are crucial for maintaining SEO and ensuring that shared links remain valid over time.
Portal – An online platform that consolidates information from various sources into a cohesive user interface, providing users with relevant, personalized information, resources, and services.
Portal Framework – The portal system plus other software, metadata, standards, process workflows, and technologies used to create, manage, and render content for a portal.
Public-Facing Website – The portion of ACC’s website that is open to the general public, without any restrictions or authentication requirements.
Publishing Rights – Permissions granted to specific users that determine their ability to create, edit, approve, or publish content. Defining clear publishing rights minimizes errors and ensures accountability.
Quality Assurance (QA) – A process that involves reviewing and testing a website to identify and fix issues before new content or features go live. QA checks ensure that content is error-free, accessible, and performs well across devices.
Responsive Design – An approach to web design that ensures a website adapts and displays correctly on different devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. Responsive design enhances usability and improves the overall user experience.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) – A security model that assigns user permissions based on their role within the institution. RBAC ensures that only authorized individuals can perform specific tasks, such as editing or publishing content.
Rotating Content – Regularly updating content on key pages to keep the site dynamic and engaging for returning visitors. Rotating content may include homepage announcements, news, or event highlights.
Second Tier – In terms of design and user experience, the “second tier” refers to the visual elements, content, and functionality of student-centric information. It provides ease of access to streamlined communications, academic resources, and centralized information and services. Currently public-facing web content, student information will move to the student portal (see portal).
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – The practice of optimizing web content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results.
Service-Level Agreement (SLA) – A formal agreement that outlines the level of service and response time expected from web management teams, IT support, or external vendors. SLAs help ensure accountability and establish clear expectations.
Site Governance Committee – A cross-departmental group responsible for overseeing website policies, approving major changes, and ensuring adherence to institutional standards.
Sitemap – A blueprint of a website that outlines its structure and shows how different pages are linked. Sitemaps can be visual diagrams for human understanding or XML files submitted to search engines to improve indexing.
Slug – The part of a URL that identifies a specific page in a website’s hierarchy. It usually follows the domain name and provides a concise description of the page’s content.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) – A security protocol that encrypts data transmitted between a user’s browser and a website to protect sensitive information.
Staging Environment – A clone of the live website used for testing and quality assurance before changes go live.
Style Guide – A document that defines the visual identity of the website, including typography, color palettes, spacing, grid systems, and iconography. The style guide ensures that designers and developers follow consistent visual standards.
Subdomain – A Subdomain is a subsection of a primary domain that operates as a separate website or section of the main site while remaining connected to the parent domain. Subdomains are used to organize and manage content that serves a distinct purpose or audience but still falls under the umbrella of the primary domain.
Taxonomy – A classification system used to organize website content into categories, tags, or hierarchies, making it easier for users to navigate and locate information.
Top Tier – In terms of design and user experience, “top tier” refers to the visual elements, content, and functionality that are most prominent— starting with the homepage and all journeys linked from the homepage.
UI (User Interface) – The visual layout and interactive elements that users engage with on a website or application.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – The final phase of testing where real users verify that the system meets their needs and is ready for launch.
UX (User Experience) – The overall experience a person has while interacting with a website, including ease of navigation, clarity, and satisfaction.
Version Control System – A tool that tracks changes to website content, code, and design, allowing teams to review previous versions and revert changes if necessary. Version control is critical for maintaining consistency and preventing accidental data loss.
Web Administrator – An individual or team responsible for maintaining the technical health, security, and performance of the website. Web Administrators often collaborate with content managers, designers, and IT teams.
Web Hosting – A service that provides the storage space and resources necessary to make a website accessible on the internet. Hosting providers ensure that websites are available 24/7 and handle server management, security, and backups.
Web Policy – A formal document that defines the rules and best practices for managing web content, user permissions, and security. Web policies ensure alignment with institutional goals and compliance with legal requirements.
Widget – A small application or component that adds specific functionality to a webpage, such as a search bar, calendar, or social media feed.
Wire-frame – A skeletal blueprint of a webpage that outlines the layout, structure, and key elements. Wire-frames focus on functionality and content placement rather than design details, providing a roadmap for the design and development process.
Workflow Automation – The use of technology to streamline and automate routine content management tasks, such as sending content for approval or notifying stakeholders when changes are published.
301 Redirect – A permanent redirect that sends users and search engines from an old URL to a new one, preserving SEO value.
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