Just like every industry, web developers love tossing around big terms in their little bubble. You know the type – speaking exclusively in fancy lingo to confuse the average joe, and make them sound way more mysterious than they really are. But if you haven’t gathered by now, at Simple Pixels, our job is to keep things simple. We don’t expect you to know (or even care about) these terms – but on the off chance you run across them, here’s a handy guide to the most common web development terms… in plain English!
HTML / CSS / JS – HyperText Markup Language, Cascading Style Sheets and JavaScript
These are coding languages that make up the foundations of your webpage. Think of them like the brick and mortar that make up your house.
HTML is the base content, CSS changes ‘the look and feel’ (colors, fonts, etc.) and JavaScript makes it interactive (when I click a button, take me to a new page)
PHP
PHP is a server-side coding language used to power some extra bits and pieces. PHP handles stuff like user logins and mailing out your contact form submissions.
Frontend
Think of the frontend as the actors in a stage play. This is the part of the website users see and interact with – the buttons, layouts, images, and content. It’s what your visitors experience firsthand.
Backend
If the frontend is the actors, the backend is the crew behind the curtain – directors, stagehands, and scriptwriters. They manage the logic, processing, and database operations that make sure everything on the frontend works seamlessly, even if the audience never sees them in action. The backend does the heavy lifting, so the frontend can shine under the spotlight.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
SEO is all about helping your site show up higher on search engines like Google and Bing. It means tweaking your content, layout, and keywords so more people can find you online.
SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
SSL is a procedure that encrypts data sent between your website and its users, making it safe to enter personal info. SSL gives you that little green padlock icon in the browser bar.
Database (and SQL)
A storage space for your website’s data – like user info, product details, or content. Think of it as a digital filing cabinet. We can ‘look things up’ in the filing cabinent using a specific coding language called SQL.
Domain
Your website’s name and address (like simplepixels.com.au). It’s how people find you on the web. You can also use it when sending emails (instead of gmail.com)
DNS (Domain Name System)
The “phone book” of the internet. It translates your domain name (eg. simplepixels.com.au) to a ‘street address’ thats more readable by a computer (eg. 172.217.19.164). This translation allows users to access your site, without having to type in the computers ‘street address’.
DNS also does a whole bunch of other things (which become a bit of a head fry!) but if you’re really interested, you can read more here.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A way for your website to talk to other services. For example, if your website wants to grab and show your latest Instagram post – it will use Instagrams’ API.
UX/UI (User Experience/User Interface)
UX is how your site ‘feels’ and how easily users can navigate it. UI is the visual design – how buttons, text, and images are arranged.
CMS (Content Management System)
Software that helps you easily manage and update your website’s content without coding. We use WordPress (here’s why) – but other common examples are Drupal, Squarespace and Wix.
HTTP/HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol/Secure)
HTTP is how data is sent over the web, while HTTPS is the secure, encrypted version (remember the SSL thing we mentioned? HTTPS is HTTP over SSL).
Hosting
Hosting is like the ‘home’ for your website on the internet. Your website needs a space to ‘live’ online (where all its files, images, and data are stored). When someone looks up your address (remember the DNS?), hosting is what lets them through the front door to explore. And if hosting is a home – then our signature hosting plan is like a million-dollar mansion: secure, spacious, and fully equipped to keep your website running smoothly, no matter how many visitors drop by. With all the essentials and top-notch security, it’s the luxury suite your website deserves.
Framework
Frameworks are a collection of tools that make building websites more efficient. Imagine you want to make spagh bol completely from scratch – it would take forever! Making fresh pasta, sauce, and cheese from raw ingredients sounds exhausting. Instead, you can head to the store and grab everything pre-made. You still get to add your own flavor, but the basics are ready to go. Similarly, frameworks like React or Laravel give developers the ‘ingredients’ they need to build websites faster, skipping the tedious parts of starting from scratch.
Plugin
An add-on software component that adds specific features to a website. These are similar to the ‘frameworks’ mentioned earlier, but are a little more user friendly. Think of them like a pasta kit – bundling all your ingredients into one, so all you need to do is cook it up!
Cache
Stored data that helps your website load faster by keeping commonly used elements ready, reducing the need to load everything fresh on repeat visits.
Responsive Design
Designing a website to ensure it works on all devices, from desktop computers to tablets and phones.
Wireframe
A basic layout plan that shows the structure of a website without detailed design, like a blueprint for web pages, used early in the development process.
