Website Development Explained In Simple Terms

Website Development Explained in Plain English

Are you trying to understand a new website development quote, or what you should be looking for when sourcing a new website from a marketing agency?

For many businesses, a website is an essential tool for marketing, lead generation, branding management and communication with customers.

However, when planning or discussing a website with an outsourced website development agency, designers or developers, it is easy to become overwhelmed by technical terms and industry jargon.

At whY-us? Marketing website design, we try to remove the jargon as much as possible. Naturally, we do have to use the terminology in some instances to provide the correct information. So understanding a few common website development phrases can make it far easier to decide which website developer to use.

This ‘website development terms explained’ article should help to make things a little clearer.

It is important to remember that technology is ever changing and progressing. That means you need to consider the on-going elements of a website, not just the initial development. We recommend you treat your website with the same care and attention that you would give to other important technology investments, such as servicing on a car, or updating your laptop to the latest operating system and / or antivirus.

Manage your website, communicate with developers and make informed decisions about updates, security and improvements by learning from this guide.

Below is a simple, jargon-free guide to some of the most commonly used website development terms explained and listed in alphabetical order to make them easier to reference.

This Website Development Terms Explained article is part of our series explaining business technology in simple terms, designed to help organisations understand common digital systems without technical jargon.

A-Z Website Development Terms Explained

Use the table below to quick jump to specific website development terms explained

Anchor Links

An anchor link is a link that takes a visitor directly to a specific section on a webpage rather than loading a completely new page.

For example, if someone clicks a link labelled “Our Services” at the top of a page, the website may automatically scroll down to the services section. This helps visitors navigate long pages quickly and improves user experience.

Anchor links are often used for:

They are particularly useful for improving usability and helping visitors find the information they need quickly and also support Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

Test this link now by clicking here and it will take you to another section of this page. There is another anchor link where you land to get back here

Cookie Policy

A cookie policy explains how a website collects and uses small pieces of data known as ‘cookies’.

Cookies are small files stored on a user’s device that allow websites to remember certain information, such as:

Most websites now include a cookie banner that asks visitors to accept or reject certain types of cookies. The cookie policy page explains this in more detail.

Daily Backups

A daily backup is a copy of your entire website that is automatically saved every day.

Backups are extremely important because they allow a website to be restored if something goes wrong. For example:

If a reliable backup system is in place, the website can usually be restored quickly with minimal disruption.

For businesses that rely on their website for enquiries, e-commerce or customer information, daily backups provide an important layer of protection.

Footer

The footer is the section at the very bottom of a website page.

Although visitors often focus on the main content of a page, the footer plays an important role by providing quick access to useful information.

Common items found in website footers include:

For businesses, the footer is often where legally required company information is displayed

Hosting

Website hosting is the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible on the internet.

Think of hosting as the land that your website is built on. The website itself is made up of files, images, text and databases, and these all need to be stored somewhere so people can access them online.

When someone types your website address into a browser, the hosting server delivers the website to their device.

Reliable hosting is important because it affects:

Good hosting helps ensure that customers can always access the website when they need it, especially when you’re not available.

Plugins

Plugins are small pieces of software that add extra features or functionality to a website.

Many websites built on WordPress use plugins to increase the functional capabilities of that the website can do, without needing to build everything from scratch.

Examples of plugin functions include:

Plugins are very useful, but they must be managed properly to ensure they remain secure and compatible with the website and other softwares installed.

Responsive (Devices)

A responsive website is designed to automatically adjust its layout depending on the device being used.

People now access websites on many different devices, including:

A responsive website ensures that text, images and navigation display correctly on all screen sizes.

For businesses, this is essential because a large proportion of website visitors now browse using mobile devices. A responsive website helps ensure a consistent and professional user experience regardless of how visitors access the site.

Software Licence

A software licence is the legal permission that allows a website owner to use certain software.

Many website tools, themes and plugins are developed by third-party companies. These companies grant permission for the software to be used through a licence.

A licence may include:

Some licences require annual renewal, while others may be lifetime licences. Keeping licences active ensures that software continues to function properly and remains secure.

SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate is a security feature that encrypts the connection between a visitor’s browser and the website server.

You can usually recognise a website with an SSL certificate because the web address begins with https rather than http, and a small padlock icon appears in the browser bar.

Some website browsers such as Google Chrome, will prevent a user being able to view a website and presents a large warning screen that you have to accept the risks to continue to view.

SSL certificates are important because they:

For any website that collects contact details, login information or payment data, an SSL certificate is essential.

WordPress

WordPress is one of the most widely used website platforms in the world.

It is a content management system (CMS), which means it allows users to manage website content without needing advanced programming skills.

With WordPress, businesses can easily:

Because it is flexible, scalable and widely supported, WordPress is a popular choice for business websites.

Why Software Plugins Need Updating

Website software is regularly updated to improve security, fix bugs and add new features.

Plugins in particular require regular updates because they interact with both the website platform and other plugins. If they are not kept up to date, problems can occur.

Updating plugins helps to:

Failing to update plugins can sometimes lead to website errors or security risks. For this reason, many businesses include regular plugin updates as part of their website maintenance routine.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a tool that helps website owners understand how people use their website.

It collects anonymous data about visitors and presents it in reports that show how the website is performing.

For example, Google Analytics can show:

This information helps businesses make better decisions about their website content, marketing campaigns and user experience.

For example, if a particular page receives a large amount of traffic, it may be worth improving that page further or adding clearer calls to action. If visitors quickly leave a page, it could indicate that the content needs improving.

Google Analytics is widely used because it helps website owners understand what is working well and where improvements could be made.