It’s a universal truth that there’s more than one meaning to just about every word. This is doubly true for industry lingo. If you’re just getting started in web design, you need to know what everything really means, if you want to get ahead.
So here it is: here’s what the Secret Web Design Illuminati doesn’t want you to know. Read this article, and you’ll be able to dab on the haters with your hip new slang. Isn’t that swell?
A file that sits on your web server which, if ever touched, is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to break your whole site.
The practice of making all your content dependent on JavaScript to load in the first place; this never goes wrong.
A system whereby enterprising young developers make money from your users’ data. Remember that you can always destroy them by “tweaking” the API for “performance” because you “hate chronological timelines”.
The practice of building websites that a human might, with a little time to study, actually be able to use.
A development methodology that advocates self-organizing teams and flexibility, allowing startups to more efficiently realize they’re building something that no one wants.
The part of a website where you deal with a lot of crap.
Before experimenting with dogs, Pavlov trained online marketers to salivate whenever he said “backlink”. It still works.
A measurement of the speed with which Google can access your personal data.
A measurement of the speed with which users realize you don’t have what they want.
The contextual navigation pattern preferred by nine out of ten ducks.
The system that is supposed to solve all your problems and get you to the top of Google. This is accomplished by leaving it alone until an update breaks a plugin, or something.
That thing they want to implement with JavaScript, now.
Space on other people’s computers where you can temporarily store some of that crap from the Back End.
Begging the user for money and/or attention.
The stuff they show on computer screens in the less-offensive Hollywood representations of hacking.
In-jokes and clever insights that only total nerds will ever see. One day, someone will achieve true enlightenment, and the secret will written down as a code comment, and lost to an obscure GitHub repository.
See: Deprecated
Anything we forgot how to use while we were learning Flexbox.
Browsing Pinterest for a few hours to steal color palettes.
Thinking, but like, when designers do it? If you’ve ever touched MS Paint, you can put this on your resume and ask for a raise.
A needlessly complex way to tell the browser what kind of HTML you’re using. Seriously, would have worked just fine.
A useful reference word for programmers, and anyone who wants to sound a bit smarter.
Example: Can’t you just throw some more “div” thingies into my DOM, or something?
A fancier way to say that you’re selling stuff you don’t want on Ebay.
The part of the website everyone already knows to scroll past if they want to get to the good stuff.
The thing you’re supposed to learn instead of development languages, now…I guess.
The part of a website where you tell users what you think they want to hear, based on research, surveys, and indiscriminate guessing.
The practice of building your website so it doesn’t completely fall apart at the first sign of a bug. Clearly superior to Progressive Enhancement. (See: Progressive Enhancement)
The easiest way to tell other people that you’re a coder, now.
You’d think these were Deprecated, but they’re not.
One more thing that will never work on a responsive website without a jQuery plugin.
See: Backlinks
The part of CSS that keeps confusing people.
The be-all and end-all. The ultimate development language. Will replace HTML and CSS because some people can’t be bothered to learn the simplest “languages” ever invented.
The page that designers let marketers have their way with so they won’t touch the actual home page. Landing pages typically outperform the painstakingly-crafted home pages, infuriating designers.
What we have to use while we wait for AI to get smarter.
The quickest and easiest way for a customer to get lost.
The business of lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Work as a designer long enough, and you’ll start to notice when even one of these things is out of place. It will haunt you.
The practice of building your website so that it works anywhere, but looks better on newer devices and browsers. Clearly superior to Graceful Degradation. (See: Graceful Degradation)
The terrible temporary code you write that will inevitably be used in the final project, and you’ll always be just a little bit ashamed.
See: Deprecated
[I’m just going to cry in the corner, for a bit.]
The reason web designers have to do maybe three times as much work for each project as we used to.
The practice of writing HTML a human might, with study, actually be able to read.
Anything that is officially the developer’s problem.
A thing that used to be used by people that is largely used by search engines, now.
A socially acceptable way to use other people’s graphical assets and code.
U R Lost.
[Hehehe, ahhhh… the classics still get me.]
Everyone is an expert in this, now. Apparently.
It’s like Accessibility, but for people who get embarrassed when they see wheelchair ramps.
A good idea that so many of us are outright ignoring.
Oh right, that’s still a thing.
Featured image via DepositPhotos.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, businesses face constant pressure to adapt and stay ahead. In this pursuit, many organizations turn to i
Table of Contents ToggleIntroduction: The Power of Customs Entry ExcellenceThe Importance of Customs Entry in Freight ForwardingStrategies for Achievi
Online money transfers are quite common these days, with millions of people sending money abroad to their family and friends using these services. Bus
Japanese culture is a captivating tapestry of tradition, artistry, and symbolism, and finds unique expression in various forms. One of these fascinati
Lipo laser machines have gained popularity in the beauty industry as an effective and painless method for fat reduction. In this article, we will expl
As the healthcare industry continually changes, pharmacy owners struggle to stay current. A major challenge owners face is deciphering insurance r
We are a dynamic information platform dedicated to delivering timely, relevant, and reliable content across a broad spectrum of topics. From the latest in technology and business to lifestyle, health, and global affairs, we aim to keep our readers informed and inspired.
Our editorial team is committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and clarity, ensuring that every article provides value and context in an ever-changing world. We believe in the importance of accessible knowledge and strive to make complex topics understandable for everyone.
Whether you're here to stay updated on current events, explore thought-provoking features, or simply learn something new, our goal is to offer a trustworthy source of information that meets the needs of a diverse and curious audience.