More Exposure – More Customers – More Wins For Your Business

 

SEO & Web Design Terms Every Business Owner Should Know

If you’ve ever sat through a meeting or call with a digital marketing agency and found yourself nodding along while wondering, “Wait… what does that even mean?” you’re not alone.

 

Terms like “bounce rate,” “alt text,” “backlinks,” and “CMS” get thrown around all the time in SEO and web design conversations. While these aren’t things every business owner needs to master, they do help to have work knowledge when you understand the language, it’s easier to make smart decisions about your website, your marketing strategy, and how to grow your online presence.

 

At On First Page, we believe in demystifying this industry. So, we’ve put together a plain English glossary of the most common web design and SEO terms that come up when working with us or any digital marketing partner. Consider this your go-to guide, written with real people in mind.

 

Let’s Start with SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is all about improving your website so that it appears higher in search engine results, especially on Google. The ultimate goal? More visibility, more traffic, and more business.

 

But SEO has its own vocabulary, and it helps to know what’s what.

 

Take “keywords,” for example. These are simply the words or phrases that people type into search engines when they’re looking for something. If you’re a plumber in Tulsa, someone might search for “Tulsa water heater repair.” That phrase would be considered a keyword, and optimizing your website for it means including it naturally in your content so Google knows your site is relevant.

 

Then there’s “organic traffic,” which refers to the visitors who come to your website as a result of unpaid search results. This is different from “paid traffic,” which comes from ads. Most SEO work is focused on increasing organic traffic over time.

 

You might also hear “SERP,” which stands for Search Engine Results Page. It’s the page you see after typing something into Google. Where your site appears on that page, top, bottom, or even not at all, matters a lot.

 

Another important term is “backlink.” A backlink is when another website links to yours. Not only does this help bring new people to your site, but it also signals to Google that your content is trustworthy and credible. That can give your rankings a helpful boost.

 

And let’s not forget “meta descriptions.” These are the short blurbs that appear under your website link in search results. While they don’t directly influence rankings, they do influence whether someone clicks on your link. A clear, compelling meta description can make all the difference.

 

Moving into the World of Web Design

If SEO is the science of getting found, then web design is the art and strategy of what people see once they do find you.

 

When we talk about your website’s “UX,” we’re referring to “user experience.” This is about how your visitors feel when they interact with your site. Is it easy to navigate? Can they find what they’re looking for quickly? A good UX keeps people engaged. A poor UX sends them running.

 

Closely tied to that is “UI” or “user interface.” While UX is the overall experience, UI focuses more on the visual and interactive elements, buttons, menus, forms, and how your site is laid out on the screen.

 

Another key term is “responsive design.” This means your website automatically adjusts to look good and work well on all screen sizes, desktop, tablet, and mobile. With most users browsing on phones these days, responsiveness isn’t optional; it’s essential.

 

You’ll probably hear about your “CMS,” or content management system. This is the platform we use to build and manage your website content. WordPress is a common example, and it’s one we use often here at On First Page because it’s flexible, powerful, and user-friendly.

 

Then there’s “hosting.” Every website lives on a server somewhere, and hosting is essentially renting space on that server. Some hosting services are faster, more secure, and more reliable than others, and that matters when it comes to performance and uptime.

 

And speaking of performance, the term “page speed” comes up often. This is how quickly your site loads when someone visits. A slow-loading site frustrates users and can actually hurt your SEO rankings, too.

 

Technical Terms, Simplified

There’s also a layer of technical lingo that often gets tossed around in website projects. It’s helpful to know just enough to understand how it affects your site’s visibility and functionality.

For example, “alt text” refers to the description you add to images on your website. It’s used by screen readers for visually impaired users and also helps search engines understand what your images are about. Good alt text can improve both accessibility and SEO.

 

Another term is “SSL certificate,” which has to do with your site’s security. When you see “https://” in a web address, that means the site has an SSL certificate installed. This not only protects your visitors’ data but also boosts your credibility with both users and Google.

 

You may also hear about “301 redirects.” These are used when an old page on your site has been moved or removed. A 301 redirect ensures that anyone trying to access the old link is automatically sent to the new, correct page. It keeps traffic flowing and helps preserve your SEO rankings.

 

And then there’s “canonical URLs.” This one gets a little nerdy, but it’s important. If you have multiple pages with similar or duplicate content, a canonical URL tells search engines which version to prioritize. It’s a way of saying, “This is the official version; rank this one.”

 

Putting It All Together

You don’t have to memorize all of these terms to get results. That’s what we’re here for. However, having a basic understanding can make you a more informed decision-maker and help you feel more confident as you collaborate with a digital marketing partner.

 

At On First Page, we’re committed to cutting through the jargon. Whether we’re building you a brand-new website or working to boost your search rankings, we’ll always explain things in a way that makes sense. Because at the end of the day, you shouldn’t need a degree in web development or SEO to take control of your business’s online presence.

 

If you ever find yourself unsure of a term or strategy, just ask. We’re happy to walk you through it because the more you understand, the more empowered you are to grow.

 

Ready to Talk Strategy, No Jargon Required?

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to upgrade what you already have, our team is here to help you navigate the web world with clarity and confidence. From SEO strategy to stunning, responsive design, we’ve got you covered.

 

Give us a call today at (918) 851-9548 to get started!

 

On First Page Inc – Tulsa, OK

SEO Internet Marketing, Web Design, Digital Marketing

PHONE: (918) 851-9548