Terms, acronyms and abbreviations
Apps — Application
Apps are software that can run through a web browser, your computer or smart device.
Back-end
The back-end (server side) of a website consists of databases and servers. It includes security, structure and how content is organised. It is what you cannot see on the front-end.
Browser compatible
Browser compatibility is the capability of a website, web application, script or HTML design to function (display correctly) in different web browsers. We ensure that all the websites we create are browser compatible.
Bulk mail
Bulk email (mass email) is email sent to mailing lists (subscribers) in one go on a specified date and time. The email includes links for subscribers to unsubscribe, send to a friend and edit their subscription information. We offer a comprehensive bulk mail and subscriber management service.
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CMS — Content Management System
CMS are software applications that helps users create, manage, and modify content on a website without technical knowledge. We prefer WordPress when building CMS websites as we have found that our clients find it the easiest and “friendliest” platform to use when updating the content of their websites.
Code
Different programming languages consist of code to create websites, software and applications (apps).
CSS — Cascading style sheets
CSS is the most common way of setting the design (look and feel) of a website.
Database
A web database is a system for storing and displaying information that is accessible via the internet.
Digital agency
We are a creative digital agency which means we offer digital services (screen-based products and services) such as website development together with graphic design, print media, social media services and copywriting.
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Digital interface
A digital interface is a combination of visual design and interaction design. It is the way (e.g. website) we interact with computers and smart devices.
Domain
A domain is the address used to access your website (e.g. www.businessname.com).
Domain registration
The process of registering a domain for your website is called domain registration. We can register and host your website for you.
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Electronic publication
An electronic publication (also referred to as an e-publication or digital publication or online publication) includes the digital publication of online magazines, journals, and other publications. They are often promoted to mailing lists (subscribers) via HTML email. We are highly experienced in creating electronic publications.
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Email campaign
An email campaign is generally a collection of attractively designed HTML emails sent to a mailing list via a bulk mail program. The emails are delivered at planned intervals and are usually designed to encourage a purchase, subscription, registration, etc. Let us design and distribute your email campaigns for you.
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eNewsletter
An eNewsletter, e-Newsletter or online newsletter, is an electronic newsletter distributed to subscribers via HTML email and which often links to detailed articles on your website. eNewsletters are designed to look more appealing and professional than text-based email. We are highly experienced in creating eNewsletters and HTML email.
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Front-end
The front-end (client side) of a website is everything that a user sees and interacts with directly. It includes fonts, colours, menus, etc.
Future-ready
A future-ready website is a website that can grow and is compatible with future devices and browsers. We ensure that all the websites we create are future-ready.
Google Webmaster Guidelines
Google Webmaster Guidelines apply to all websites that Google has added to its index. Essentially, according to the Google Webmaster Guidelines, your website should support the search engine in crawling and indexing and ensure a good user experience. We follow these guidelines when building websites to ensure that your website ranks high in Google search results. If Google is happy, we are happy.
Homepage
A homepage, often referred to as a landing page, is a web page that serves as the front page of a website. It is the default web page that loads when you visit a web address that only contains a domain name.
Hosting
We offer a web host service which means we provide the technologies and services needed for your website to be viewed on the internet. Websites are hosted (stored) on special computers called servers.
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HTML — Hypertext Markup Language
HTML is a text-based code used to build web pages and web applications accessed on the internet. This markup (code) tells a web browser how to display text, images and other forms of multimedia on a web page.
HTML email
An HTML email allows you to create attractive email messages and eNewsletters by incorporating images, fonts, and layouts, just like a web page.
Intranet
An intranet is a private website which can only be accessed by a select group of people. We can design and develop a secure intranet to suit your needs.
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IP address
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique identifier for every device using the internet. It is a string of numbers separated by periods. Google “what is my IP address” to see yours.
Java
A general-purpose programming language that produces software for multiple platforms.
JS —JavaScript
A scripting or programming language that allows you to implement complex features on web pages.
Mailing list
A mailing list is a collection of names and email addresses used to send email to many subscribers. Let us manage your mailing list and bulk mail needs.
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MySQL
An open-source database management system.
PHP
A general-purpose programming language used to develop websites or web applications. PHP scripts can only be interpreted on a server that has PHP installed.
Plugin
A piece of software that acts as an add-on to a website to give it additional functionality.
PRISA — Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa
PRISA represents professionals in public relations and communication management throughout the southern African region and has registered practitioners in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa. An eNewsletter, designed and developed by us, received a Bronze PRISA PRISM Award in 2012.
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Repository
A central file storage location which can be accessed by multiple users.
Responsive layout
A website built with a responsive layout adapts to the screen size of all devices (e.g. mobile devices).
Retina ready
A website which is retina ready is developed to look beautiful on devices with a high retina display, where the human eye can’t make out individual pixels.
SA Publication Forum
The SA Publication Forum is committed to improving and promoting corporate publications in South Africa. We were enormously pleased to win the Best Corporate Website category of the 2017 SA Publication Forum Awards.
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SEO — Search Engine Optimisation
SEO refers to methods used to increase visitors to a website by increasing its ranking on search engine results. SEO involves improving the quality of the content, ensuring that it is rich in relevant keywords and organised to be very easy to read (e.g. by using bullet points). All the websites developed by us are optimised for search engines.
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Server
A server is a special computer used to host (store) your website. Let us host your website on our servers.
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Social media
Social media includes websites and applications such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. We offer a comprehensive social media management service.
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SQL — Structured Query Language
SQL is a standard language for accessing and manipulating databases.
Subscribers
An email subscription option on a website allows visitors to receive email from you by specifying their email address in a subscription form. We offer a subscriber management service which allows subscribers to edit their subscription information or unsubscribe.
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UI design
User interface (UI) design focuses on the look, feel and visual presentation of different elements of a digital interface. It is different from UX design in that it focuses on the aesthetics. UI designers are responsible for the interactivity and intuitiveness of a product’s interface.
URL — Uniform Resource Locator
A URL is your website address.
Usability
ISO defines usability or user focus as “The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use.” The word “usability” also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process.
UX design
User experience (UX) design is the process of designing a product or service with the end user’s level of satisfaction in mind. This process focuses on improving usability, ease of use and the pleasure provided in the interaction between the customer and the product.
Web content specialist
A specialist service where well-written quality content is written (or edited) to attract and inform visitors to a website.
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Website analytics
We provide reports on your website analytics (performance) and amend the content where necessary based on the analytics data.
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WordPress
WordPress is a content management system based on PHP and MySQL. Features include a plugin architecture and a template system, referred to inside WordPress as Themes. WordPress is among the most widely used website creation tools around the world and is a powerful CMS.
