A Beginner’s Guide To Web Dev Lingo

Learn The Lingo

So you want to build a website. You hop online, eager to dive in — and boom. You’re hit with a wall of jargon: CMS, hosting, domains, SEO, plugins… It’s like walking into a hardware store and being expected to build a skyscraper.

This guide strips it all down to the essentials — using WordPress as our frame of reference (because let’s be real, most modern websites either use it or mimic it).

1. CMS (Content Management System)

A CMS is the control center of your website. It’s where you log in to write blog posts, upload images, create pages, and manage your content — without needing to touch code.
WordPress is the Beyoncé of CMSs. It powers over 40% of the internet for a reason. From bloggers to Fortune 500 companies, it gives you a back-end dashboard to manage everything — just like using Microsoft Word, but for the web.

2. Hosting

Hosting is what keeps your website alive and online. Think of it as the plot of land your site is built on. No hosting = no website for people to visit.
Hosting companies like SiteGround, Kinsta, or Bluehost offer WordPress-specific hosting plans. They set up the server, help you install WordPress, and handle stuff like security, backups, and speed. With good hosting, your site won’t crash when your blog post goes viral.

3. Domain Name

This is your site’s address — the “yourname.com” people type in. It’s your billboard on the internet.
WordPress.com includes a free subdomain (yourname.wordpress.com), but for a serious site, you’ll want to buy a custom domain like yourbrand.com. Most hosting companies let you buy one during setup.

4. Theme

A theme is the outfit your website wears. It controls the design — layout, fonts, colours, and style — without touching the actual content.
WordPress comes with a few default themes, but you can browse thousands of free and premium ones. Want a minimalist blog? A flashy portfolio? An online shop? There’s a theme for that.

5. Plugin

Plugins are like apps for your website. They add new tools and features — without you needing to code a thing.
Want a contact form? A photo slider? Social share buttons? SEO optimisation? You install plugins. WordPress has over 50,000 of them, from free essentials like “WPForms” to premium powerhouses offered  by “Avada.”

6. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

SEO helps your website get found on Google. It’s how your blog post shows up when someone searches “best hiking boots.”
With plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, WordPress helps you fine-tune your pages for search. They guide you on keyword use, metadata, readability, and internal linking — all crucial for showing up in search results.

7. SSL Certificate

SSL is what puts the “s” in https:// — meaning your site is secure. It encrypts data between your site and visitors, keeping things like login info safe.
Most good hosts offer free SSL (via Let’s Encrypt), and WordPress will show you a little padlock in your browser bar once it’s working. Visitors trust that — and Google rewards it too.

8. Responsive Design

A responsive site looks good whether someone’s viewing it on a phone, tablet, or 5K iMac. No pinching, zooming, or weird layouts.
Most modern WordPress themes are built to be responsive. You can preview your site in mobile/tablet views before publishing. It’s practically expected now — Google even ranks mobile-friendly sites higher.

9. Ecommerce

Ecommerce just means “selling stuff online.” Physical goods, digital downloads, bookings, memberships — all ecommerce.
WordPress + WooCommerce = online store magic. WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns your site into a shop. Add products, take payments, manage inventory, set shipping — the works.

10. Backend vs. Frontend

Backend = behind-the-scenes where you build and manage the site.
Frontend = the public-facing part visitors see.
You log into the WordPress dashboard (backend) to edit a blog post. Visitors read that post on the live site (frontend).

11. Permalink

A permalink is the direct URL to a specific page or post.
Instead of a messy URL like yoursite.com/?p=123, you can set it to yoursite.com/blog/my-first-post. WordPress lets you pick your preferred structure for SEO and clarity.

12. Cache

Caching is like a memory shortcut. It stores copies of your site so pages load faster for returning visitors.
Plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache speed up your site and reduce server load. Many hosts also have built-in caching tools, which is a bonus.

13. Widgets

Widgets are content blocks you can drop into areas like your sidebar or footer — quick and easy.
Popular widgets include recent posts, newsletter sign-ups, image galleries, and social feeds. You drag-and-drop them into place from the WordPress customiser or block editor.

14. Staging Site

A staging site is a private testing version of your website. It’s a sandbox where you can try things out without breaking your live site.
Many premium hosts offer one-click staging. You test design changes, plugin updates, or new content — and only push it live when it’s ready.

15. Analytics

Analytics track what people do on your site: where they come from, what they click, how long they stay.
Connect your site to Google Analytics via a plugin like Site Kit or MonsterInsights. You’ll see dashboards right inside WordPress — so you know what content is working, and what isn’t.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to master all this overnight. But knowing the lingo helps you navigate web development with way more confidence — whether you’re DIY-ing it or working with a pro. With WordPress in your corner, these tools aren’t just accessible — they’re yours to command.