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The Ultimate Glossary of Web Design Terms for Beginners

Imagine you’re learning a new language. At first, the words seem unfamiliar, but as you grasp key terms, everything starts making sense. Web design is no different! Whether you're a small business owner or just starting out, understanding website terminology is crucial for making informed decisions. This glossary will break down essential web design terms so you can navigate the digital world with confidence.



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A person examines the glossary section of a book, focusing on defined terms under warm lighting in a bookstore.

Key Takeaways

  • Learn essential web design terms in a simple, beginner-friendly format.


  • Understand how Wix and other website builders simplify the web design process.


  • Gain confidence in discussing your website needs with designers and developers.


Table of Contents



What is Web Design?


Web design is the process of creating and styling a website, focusing on layout, colours, typography, and user experience. A well-designed website ensures visitors can navigate easily and find what they need.


Laptop on wooden table showing HTML wireframes; hand on keyboard, notebook with sketches and coffee cup beside. Sleek, creative workspace.
Web development in progress: conceptualising website layouts with HTML on a laptop, accompanied by a sketchbook and coffee, creating a workspace atmosphere.

Website Builders vs Custom Development


There are two main approaches to web design:


  • Website Builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace): Pre-made templates and drag-and-drop tools make web design accessible.


  • Custom Development: Developers code websites from scratch, allowing greater flexibility but requiring technical skills.


Essential Web Design Terminology


Here are some must-know terms:


  • Domain Name: The web address (e.g., webrevolutions.co.uk)


  • Hosting: A service that stores your website’s files online.


  • CMS (Content Management System): Software for managing website content (e.g., Wix, WordPress).


  • Call-to-Action (CTA): A prompt encouraging visitors to take action (e.g., “Sign Up Now”).


UX (User Experience) vs UI (User Interface)


  • UX (User Experience): Focuses on how users interact with a site.


  • UI (User Interface): The visual aspects, such as buttons and colours.


    Person interacting with digital UI/UX elements on a touchscreen, with coding and AI icons. Blue background, tech-focused setting.
    A person interacts with a digital interface showcasing elements of UI/UX design and artificial intelligence, highlighting the integration of modern technology in user experience development.

Responsive vs Mobile-Friendly Design


  • Responsive Design: Adjusts to any screen size dynamically.


  • Mobile-Friendly: Works on mobile but may not adjust dynamically.


SEO & Web Design


  • SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): Improves website visibility on search engines.


  • Meta Tags: HTML elements that provide information about a webpage.


  • Alt Text: Descriptive text for images, helping accessibility and SEO.


Web Hosting & Domain Basics


  • Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share one server.


  • Dedicated Hosting: One website has an entire server.


  • SSL Certificate: Encrypts website data for security.


Black server racks with glowing blue lights in a bright, minimalistic room. The servers are neatly aligned, creating a modern tech aesthetic.
A modern data center featuring sleek, black server racks with illuminated status indicators, showcasing high-performance computing infrastructure.

Website Speed & Performance


  • Caching: Temporarily stores website data for faster loading.


  • CDN (Content Delivery Network): Distributes website content across servers to improve speed.


Common Design Mistakes to Avoid


  • Too Much Text: Keep content concise.


  • Poor Navigation: Ensure an intuitive menu.


  • Slow Load Times: Optimise images and minimise scripts.


How Wix Helps Simplify Web Design


Wix provides:


  • Drag-and-Drop Editor: No coding required.


  • SEO Tools: Built-in features for better rankings.


  • Responsive Templates: Optimised for all devices.


Conclusion


Understanding web design terminology empowers you to make better decisions for your online presence. Whether you use Wix or another platform, knowing these terms will help you communicate with developers and designers effectively.


Want to build a professional website without the hassle? Web Revolutions helps transform your vision into reality. Visit webrevolutions.co.uk to get started today!



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A person in a suit grasps a glowing bolt of lightning, symbolising power and control over energy.

FAQs


1. What is the difference between a website builder and a CMS?

A website builder provides drag-and-drop tools for creating websites (e.g., Wix), while a CMS allows content management but may require coding (e.g., WordPress).

2. What is the best platform for beginners?

3. Why is website speed important?

4. Do I need coding knowledge to build a website?

5. What is a domain name, and why do I need one?


Comments

Have Questions?
We've Got Answers.

Here’s everything you might want to know before working with Web Revolutions from timelines to tech, support and results.

  • What types of businesses do you work with?
    We work with small businesses, service providers and digital-first brands across the UK from solo founders to growing teams. Whether you're starting fresh or need a redesign, we’ll meet you where you are.
  • Do I need a clear brief before I reach out?
    Not at all. Many clients come to us with just an idea or a goal. We’ll help shape it into a clear plan during the discovery process.
  • Do you only work locally?
    We're based in High Wycombe and proudly support businesses across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and beyond but we also work remotely with clients across the UK and internationally.
  • How do I get started?
    Simple just book a free discovery call. We’ll talk through your goals, timeline and next steps with no pressure and no jargon.
  • Can you really build a website in one day?
    Yes. Our One Day Website is a focused, fast-build service that delivers a one-page site in a single day. It’s perfect for launches, campaigns or getting online quickly with everything planned in advance.
  • What’s included in a One Day Website?
    You get a fully designed and launched one-page site including your content, branding, contact form, social links and basic SEO setup. Optional add-ons can be discussed during the discovery call.
  • What if I need a more advanced site?
    For multi-page sites or advanced features, we offer a bespoke web design service. These typically take 2 to 4 weeks and include collaborative planning, custom layouts, third-party integrations and tailored content structure.
  • Do I need to provide content and images?
    For One Day builds, yes we’ll send you a prep checklist. For custom sites, we can assist with content strategy, copywriting or finding quality images if needed.
  • Can I track the progress during the project?
    Yes. You'll get design previews or real-time access to your project as it’s being built. We stay in touch throughout no guessing games.
  • Do you use templates or design from scratch?
    One Day Websites use a proven high-converting layout. Custom sites are built from scratch in Wix (Studio or Classic) based on your brand, goals and user journey.
  • Do you offer training after launch?
    Yes. We can walk you through the Wix dashboard so you feel confident managing your site or record a custom video walkthrough if you prefer.
  • How much does a website cost?
    Landing pages start at £395. Custom websites typically begin around £2,500, and our monthly support plans start from £150. All prices are transparent and agreed up front no hidden costs.
  • What payment terms do you offer?
    For larger projects, we typically split payment 50/50 half up front, half on launch. Support plans are billed monthly and can be cancelled with notice.
  • Do you offer ongoing support after launch?
    Yes. Our support packages include updates, improvements, bug fixes, backups, strategy calls and SEO insights so your site keeps working for your business.
  • Can I make changes to my website myself?
    Absolutely. Wix allows you to make content changes easily. If you’d rather not, our support plans include content edits and functional updates.
  • Do you offer SEO services or help with visibility?
    All sites are built SEO-ready, and support clients get monthly audits, keyword reviews and strategic advice. Deeper SEO work is available as an add-on.
  • What platform do you use?
    We specialise in Wix including both Classic and Wix Studio depending on what the project requires. It allows full creative control, fast performance and easy post-launch management.
  • Do you use Figma or wireframes?
    Yes. For bespoke projects, we use Figma to plan user flow and visuals before development starts so everything is aligned before we build.
  • Can you integrate third-party tools or APIs?
    Yes. We offer software integration and custom development using Velo by Wix, APIs, and tools like Zapier or Make to streamline your business operations.
  • Do you offer email marketing or CRM setup?
    We can help set up email campaigns, automations, or basic CRM flows particularly when connected to your Wix site. This is available as a service or part of a support plan.
  • Will my website be mobile-friendly and fast?
    Every site is built to perform responsive design, optimised images, and clean structure come as standard. We also test on mobile and desktop before launch.
  • Can you help improve my existing Wix site?
    Definitely. We offer redesigns, performance tuning and SEO improvements for existing Wix sites whether it’s a full overhaul or targeted updates.
  • What kind of results do your clients see?
    Our clients have seen faster load times, better conversion rates, improved visibility and more leads within weeks. We don’t just build we build for outcomes.
  • What makes Web Revolutions different?
    We combine design, tech and strategy into one clear service. You're not buying a website you're investing in a partner that cares about how your digital presence performs.

Whether it’s a one-day launch or a fully bespoke build, Web Revolutions delivers strategy-led websites designed to grow with your business, not just look good.

Ready to Build a Website That Performs?

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