Jargon can be confusing, let’s clear it up!

If you’ve ever sat in a meeting about website design and felt like you needed a translator, you’re not alone. Between UX, CMS, wireframes and breakpoints, it can start to sound more like code than conversation. Website design jargon explained simply means that we are then on the same page with our customers as to the deliverables they have to focus on in order for us to create an amazing website. Whether you’re revamping your site or building a new one from scratch, it’s helpful to know what your developers and designers are on about.

This helpful blog is here to break down the jargon of website design, simply and clearly, so you can make smarter decisions with confidence.

You’ll hear these terms tossed around a lot in website design conversations: UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface). Although they sound like techy twins, they refer to very different things. UX is all about the experience someone has when using your website. Is it smooth? Is it intuitive? Can people find what they’re looking for without pulling their hair out? If so, then you’re looking at a good UX. It’s how a site feels in use.

On the other hand, UI refers to the visual and interactive elements of your website. It’s what the user clicks, sees and navigates through. This includes colours, fonts, icons, spacing and layout. It’s the visual design and controls people interact with. In short: UX is the journey. UI is the map.

CMS stands for Content Management System, and it is your website’s secret superpower. Think of it as the back office for your site. It is a place where you can make updates, post blogs, swap out photos and edit text, all without having to call a developer or touch a single line of code. It is designed to be user-friendly for non-techies.

Popular CMS platforms include WordPress, Wix, Shopify and Webflow. Whether you are launching a new product, announcing an event, or updating your hours, a CMS lets you handle those changes easily and in real time. It puts the power back in your hands.

A wireframe is like your website’s skeleton. It is a basic visual guide that represents the structure of your site before any content, design, or branding is applied. Wireframes are usually done in black and white and contain placeholder text and simple boxes to show where things like images, buttons and text will go.

Imagine showing your architect a floor plan before building a house. That is what a wireframe does for a web designer. It ensures everyone involved, you, the designer, and the developer, is aligned on the layout before any major design work begins. It is the foundation that keeps everyone on the same page.

In the modern digital world, your website must look good on all screen sizes. This includes phones, tablets, laptops and large monitors. That is where responsive design comes in. It is a method of designing websites so that they automatically adjust to fit the screen they are being viewed on.

Breakpoints are the specific widths at which a site layout changes. For example, your desktop version might have a wide menu bar, but on a smaller screen, that same menu turns into a compact burger icon. These shifts help ensure your site stays user-friendly no matter the device.

Responsive design is not just a nice-to-have anymore. It is a must. With most users browsing from mobile, your site needs to perform well on the go.

The hero section is the first thing people see when they land on your homepage. It is usually a big, bold area with a powerful message, a striking image or video, and a button that invites the visitor to take action.

Think of it like your website’s shop window. It should immediately tell your visitor who you are, what you do, and why they should care. If your hero section does its job, the user will be compelled to scroll down and engage more deeply with your content. If it does not, they will bounce.

A Call to Action (CTA) is the part of your site that directs visitors to take the next step. It might say “Book Now”, “Download Our Guide”, “Subscribe” or “Contact Us”. Good CTAs are clear, action-oriented and placed strategically across your site.

In website design, CTAs are vital. They are the bridge between your content and your goals. Whether that means getting more enquiries, generating leads, or growing your email list, your site should guide people toward CTAs naturally and without friction.

An SSL certificate is a digital safety feature that encrypts data shared between your website and its visitors. This prevents hackers from snooping on private information, like contact forms or payment details. You will know a site has SSL when you see the padlock icon next to the URL and the address starts with “https”.

Besides keeping data safe, having an SSL certificate also builds trust. Without it, browsers might warn users that your site is “Not Secure” which can drive people away. Google also prefers secure sites so it helps your search ranking.

Alt text (alternative text) is a short written description you add to your website’s images. While it is not always visible to users, it is incredibly helpful behind the scenes. It allows screen readers to describe images to visually impaired users, and it helps Google understand what your images are about.

Using alt text properly boosts your website’s accessibility and search engine visibility. It is a small detail that makes a big difference for both people and algorithms.

In website design, the frontend is what users see and interact with. This includes the layout, buttons, forms, text and images. It is the client-facing side of your website. Meanwhile, the backend is where all the technical work happens. It stores your content, manages data, and makes sure everything on the frontend runs smoothly.

Think of it like a restaurant. The frontend is the dining area where customers sit. The backend is the kitchen where the magic happens. Both need to function well for the overall experience to work.

It is also important to understand the role of the end user. The end user is the person who ultimately interacts with your website, whether that is a customer browsing your products, a student accessing online courses, or a potential client filling out a contact form. A good website should cater to their needs clearly and efficiently. The backend handles the technical stuff, the frontend presents it in a friendly way, and the end user is the one who benefits from both working well together.

You do not need to become a developer to understand the basics of website design. A little clarity goes a long way. By knowing what your team is referring to with terms like CMS, hero section, or wireframe, you will feel more confident asking the right questions and making informed decisions.

At Fort Hartley, we believe in building websites that make sense to both users and owners. If you are creating something new or giving your site a facelift, let us have a chat. We will keep the tech jargon to a minimum and focus on what really matters: results.