Empower Yourself – Learn The Web Jargon

Teaching a Web Content Management class recently I included a “jargon” take home test that was handed to our attendees at the end of the class. I have always been very sensitive to computer jargon since my college days – where I studied computer science. I actually have always been uncomfortable with using it – in particular when you know the jargon to be confusing to the person that is not an actual computer geek. It is important to learn the web jargon to empower yourself.

Isn’t Web Jargon Just a Continuation of Computer Jargon?

Definitely a byproduct started by the smartest guys in the room (the computer geek – not the former Enron Directors)… The computer industry is around 30-40 years in age and with technology changing rapidly jargon has always been a big part of its culture. But I must say with the web world (around 10 years old) appears to have taken jargon to a new dimension. And being in complete sync with the web – every new process that is established opens up the door for a new term of jargon. This new jargon will quite often appear in sales and marketing of online products which is really an issue from my point.

So Jargon Is Used Deliberately in Online Selling?

I think it is – and it is definitely used to increase sales. Being the sales person responsible for selling web services for BeareWare I am very aware of the confusing aspects that the most computer literate folks have in some of the key areas of web design, web development, domain management, web hosting and web content management. But I have to admit this could not be exemplified more than buying a domain name which on some registrars is at the point of absurd in terms of what you are offered (or asked to buy) – as part of the domain registration process.

Do You Want Fries With That?

I was recently buying domains for a client on a registrar (for this article lets call the registrar Stop Momma)… Already you should be seeing the importance of arming yourself with Jargon knowledge – you will pay for it if you don’t…

Jargon in Domain Name Registration

In this case the phrase “Premium Domain” name is used by all registrars… This is a classic – I was offered a “premium domain’ for over $3,000.00 in one of the initial sales screens – but now for just $8.90 I own a “premium domain”…

Understanding the Marketing Language

I finally pay my account at Stop Momma and then end up on an another sales page… the best way to help empower yourself is to spend some time understanding the language…

BeareWare’s Online Webtips: Start Learning the Jargon

Primary Website Statistic:
A website’s primary measurement is Unique Visitors (not Hits). Visitor numbers drive results.

Website Hits Terminology:
HITS count every graphic loaded on a webpage. Not a reliable measure of website traffic.

What is a Registrar?
A company that registers domain names for the public, regulated by ICAAN.

Who Governs Registrars?
ICAAN governs and authorizes registrars.

What is Search Engine Optimization?
SEO improves your site’s ranking for keywords in search engines.

Search Engine Positioning:
No one can guarantee #1 position on search engines. Rankings depend on proprietary algorithms.

What is Opensource?
Software with accessible source code. BeareWare uses Joomla, an open-source platform.

Website Research Tip:
Browse competitor websites you like and analyze their features and layout.

What does URL mean?
Your website address (e.g., https://www.bearwebdesign.com).

What is a Keyword Domain?
A domain containing keywords relevant to your products or services.

What is a Title Tag?
The title displayed in the browser tab; includes important keywords for SEO.

What is a BLOG?
A website with frequent entries like commentary, news, or multimedia content.

Cheers Mate,
Peter Beare – Webmaster

Peter Beare is CEO of BeareWare, a Website Design & Development Company located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Since building his first website for a local sports club in 1998 Peter has been a webmaster. Over the last 10 years Peter’s duties with BeareWare have included website planning, design and development, website marketing and sales, as well as database application programming & project management. But when all is said and done, Peter is still a webmaster and this is “Interview with a Webmaster.”