Tech Glossary
Plain-English explanations of the web terms I use every day — so you know exactly what you're getting and why it matters.
Domain Name System
The internet's phone book. When you type a web address, DNS translates it into the server's actual location so your browser knows where to go.
SSL / HTTPS
The padlock in your browser bar. It encrypts data between your visitor and your site so passwords and card numbers can't be intercepted. Google also ranks HTTPS sites higher.
Content Management System
The editor behind your website. WordPress, Contentful, and Sanity are all CMSs — they let you update text and images without touching any code.
Search Engine Optimisation
The work that makes Google show your site when people search for what you offer. Good SEO means the right words, fast pages, and other sites linking to you.
User Experience
How easy and enjoyable your website is to use. If visitors can't find what they need quickly, that's a UX problem — and it costs you customers.
User Interface
The visual layer of your site — buttons, menus, layouts, colours. Good UI makes people trust your brand and know what to click.
Content Delivery Network
A network of servers around the world that serve your site from the location closest to each visitor. It's why fast sites feel instant no matter where the user is.
Progressive Web App
A website that behaves like an app — it can be installed on a phone's home screen, works offline, and sends push notifications. No App Store required.
Application Programming Interface
A way for two pieces of software to talk to each other. When your site shows live stock prices or lets users log in with Google, that's an API doing the work.
Call to Action
The button or link that asks a visitor to do something — "Request a Quote", "Book a Call", "Buy Now". A strong CTA is the difference between a browsed page and a lead.
Largest Contentful Paint
A Google speed metric — how long it takes for the biggest visible element on the page to load. Under 2.5 seconds is good; over 4 seconds hurts your rankings.
Core Web Vitals
Google's three key performance scores: how fast it loads (LCP), how stable the layout is (CLS), and how quickly it responds to a click (FID/INP). They directly affect your Google ranking.
Single Page Application
A website that loads once and swaps content without full page refreshes — like Gmail or Trello. Feels fast and app-like. Vue, React, and Angular are used to build these.
Server-Side Rendering
The page is built on the server before it reaches the browser, so content loads fast and search engines can read it. Good for SEO and initial page speed.
Accessibility (a11y)
Making your website usable for everyone — including people with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments. Good accessibility also improves SEO and often improves UX for everyone.
Virtual Private Server
A slice of a physical server that acts like your own dedicated machine. More power and control than shared hosting, but requires more technical management.
Answer Engine Optimisation
Like SEO, but for AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Perplexity. It involves structuring your content so AI can easily find, understand, and quote your business.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
The international standard for web accessibility. Following WCAG ensures your site is usable by everyone, including people with visual, hearing, or motor impairments.
Frontend Development
The part of a website that users see and interact with. It includes the design, buttons, and animations that run in your browser.
Backend Development
The "behind-the-scenes" part of a website. It handles databases, user accounts, and complex logic that powers the frontend.
Vue / React / Next.js
A collection of pre-written code that developers use to build websites faster and more reliably. I use modern frameworks to ensure high performance.
Responsive Design
A design approach that ensures a website automatically adjusts its layout to look great on any device, from desktops to smartphones.
Domain Name
Your unique address on the internet (e.g. www.gbg-web.com). You register this annually to maintain ownership of your web address.
Web Hosting
The service that stores your website files on a server so they can be accessed by visitors worldwide. Good hosting ensures your site stays online and fast.
Conversion Rate
When a visitor does what you want them to do — like booking a call or buying a product. Improving your conversion rate means turning more visitors into customers.
Headless CMS
A modern type of editor that stores your content but doesn't force a specific design. This makes your site much faster and more flexible.
Still unsure about something?
Just ask. I'm happy to explain anything in plain English before you commit to a thing.
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