Glossary of Terms: Domain Names, Hosting, and Websites (A-Z)

Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to the common terms you’ll come across when working with websites and hosting, listed alphabetically for easy reference.

301 Redirect

A permanent way to send visitors from one URL to another. It’s often used when rebranding or moving pages to a new location.

404 Error

The message visitors see when a page on your site cannot be found. A customised 404 page can help guide visitors back to your main site.

Analytics

Data about your website’s visitors, such as how many people visit, where they’re from, and which pages they view. Tools like Google Analytics help track this information.

Backup

A copy of your website’s data that you can restore if something goes wrong. Regular backups are vital to prevent data loss.

Bandwidth

The amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over a set period. It’s like the “fuel” your site uses when people visit or download content.

Cache

Stored versions of your website’s pages to make them load faster for visitors. Both browsers and servers use caching to improve performance.

CDN (Content Delivery Network)

A network of servers around the world that delivers your website faster to visitors by storing cached copies closer to their location.

CMS (Content Management System)

Software like WordPress, Drupal or Joomla that allows you to create and manage a website without needing to write code.

CMS Plugins

Add-ons for CMS platforms that extend your website’s functionality, such as adding contact forms, improving SEO, or creating galleries.

Cookies

Small files stored on a visitor’s browser to remember preferences or track activity. Websites often use cookies for personalisation or analytics.

cPanel

A control panel provided by many hosting companies that lets you manage your hosting account. It’s where you can handle files, emails, and backups.

Dedicated Server

A server used exclusively for your website. It’s the best option for large or high-traffic websites but comes at a higher cost.

Disk Space

The storage space available on your hosting server for your website’s files, images, and data. Think of it as your site’s hard drive.

DNS (Domain Name System)

A system that translates your domain name into an IP address so computers can locate your website. Without DNS, you’d need to remember complex strings of numbers.

DNS Propagation

The time it takes for changes to your domain, like updating nameservers, to spread across the internet. This process can take up to 48 hours.

DNS Records

Settings that define where your domain points for different services, such as your website (A record) or email hosting (MX record).

Domain Name

The web address people type in to visit your site (e.g., www.example.com). It’s your site’s unique identifier on the internet.

Email Accounts

Email addresses linked to your domain, such as [email protected]. These are often included in hosting packages.

Firewall

A security measure that blocks unauthorised access to your website. Think of it as a virtual security guard for your site.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A method for transferring files between your computer and your hosting server. It’s like moving files to and from your site’s “back office.”

Hosting

A service that provides the space and resources your website needs to be accessible online. It’s like renting a home for your website and emails on the internet.

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)

The secure version of HTTP that encrypts data sent between your site and its visitors. It’s essential for online security and is indicated by a padlock in the browser.

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

A unique string of numbers assigned to every device or website on the internet. It’s like your website’s postal address.

Malware

Malicious software designed to harm your website or steal data. Keeping your site secure helps prevent malware attacks.

MySQL

A database system used by many websites to store and manage data, such as blog posts or user information.

Nameserver

Part of the DNS system that points your domain to your hosting server. It’s the link between your domain name and your website.

PHP

A programming language used to build dynamic websites. Many CMS platforms, like WordPress, rely on PHP.

Responsive Design

An approach to designing websites so they look great and work well on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

The practice of improving your website’s visibility in search engine results to attract more visitors.

Shared Hosting

A hosting option where multiple websites share the same server and resources. It’s cost-effective but may slow down if others on the server use too many resources.

Sitemap

A file that lists all your website’s pages to help search engines index your site. It’s an important SEO tool.

SSL Certificate (Secure Sockets Layer)

A digital certificate that encrypts data sent between your website and its visitors. It’s required for HTTPS and builds trust with users.

Staging Site

A private version of your website where you can test changes before making them live. It’s like a sandbox for experimentation.

Subdomain

A secondary part of your domain, such as blog.example.com. It’s used to create separate sections of your website.

Themes

Pre-designed templates that determine how your website looks. You can customise themes to match your style or brand.

TLD (Top-Level Domain)

The extension of your domain name, like .com, .co.uk, or .org. Different TLDs serve different purposes or regions.

Traffic

The number of visitors your website receives. Hosting plans often include limits on how much traffic you can handle.

Updates

Software patches for your CMS, plugins, or server. Keeping everything updated helps improve performance and security.

Uptime

The amount of time your website is online and accessible. Most hosting providers aim for 99.9% uptime or higher.

VPS (Virtual Private Server)

A hosting setup where your website gets its own dedicated portion of a server. It’s faster and more secure than shared hosting.

Website Builder

A tool or platform that makes creating a website easy with drag-and-drop features. Ideal for beginners who don’t know how to code.