Technical Glossary

Webflow

Webflow is an all-in-one Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that functions as a visual development tool, a CMS (Content Management System), and a hosting service. It empowers designers to build, style, and launch websites that generate high-quality HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Z-Index (CSS Property)

The Z-Index controls the depth position of elements on the z-axis (the axis coming out of the screen). Elements with a higher Z-Index value appear on top of elements with lower values.

YAML (Yet Another Markup Language)

YAML is a data format designed to be highly readable, using indentation and a straightforward structure (lists, scalars, and associative arrays) to represent complex data. It is often used instead of JSON or XML for configuration settings because its syntax is less verbose.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

XML is a foundational technical language, similar to HTML, but unlike HTML (which defines content structure for display), XML defines data structure for storage and transfer.

Website Accessibility

Website Accessibility is the non-negotiable standard for creating a truly inclusive User Experience (UX). It requires adherence to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and includes: semantic HTML, color contrast, keyboard navigation, and alt text.

Version Control

Version Control (most commonly using a tool like Git) is a foundational practice in professional development. It allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously without overwriting each other's work.

Web Animation

Web Animation is a broad term covering Transitions, Scroll Animation, Motion Design, and scripted Animation using JavaScript or libraries like Lottie Animation.

Viewport

The Viewport is the physical window through which the user views the website. It is the core concept that drives Responsive Design.

Variable Font

Variable Fonts are a modern advancement in Typography that consolidates what used to be several different font files (e.g., thin, regular, bold) into one single, smaller file.

Validation

Validation is the strategic confirmation of design and feature effectiveness. It is achieved through various forms of Testing: quantitative, qualitative, and technical.

Tag Manager

A Tag Manager (e.g., Google Tag Manager) is a tool that allows marketers to deploy and manage snippets of tracking code (tags) on a website without modifying the site's codebase.

Sitemap

The Sitemap is the official index or blueprint of a website's structure. There are two main types: XML and HTML.

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic)

SVG is the preferred format for logos, Iconography, and simple Graphic Design elements on modern websites. Because it is vector-based (using mathematical formulas rather than pixels), it offers two key advantages: scalability and performance.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO is a long-term Growth-Focused Strategy that aims to make a website the most relevant, trustworthy, and authoritative resource for a user's search query. It involves three pillars: technical, on-page and off-page.

Responsive Design

Responsive Design ensures a single codebase adapts fluidly to all Viewports, from large desktop monitors to small smartphones. It is achieved through flexible Layout Grids, fluid images (Object Fit), and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) media queries that apply specific styles based on screen size.

Render Blocking

Render Blocking code is a major cause of slow Page Speed and a poor Lighthouse Score. When a browser encounters a large, external JavaScript or CSS file, it stops rendering the page until that file is downloaded and executed.

Reflow

Reflow is a heavy computational task that slows down a web page's rendering speed and causes Jitter in Animation or scrolling. It is triggered by changes to element dimensions, content, or specific CSS properties.

Query Parameter

Query Parameters appear after a question mark (?) in a URL (e.g., www.site.com/products?color=blue&sort=price). They are used to change the content displayed on the page without changing the underlying page structure.

Progressive Web App (PWA)

A PWA is built using standard web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) but offers features traditionally reserved for native mobile apps: offline functionality, and performance.

Page Speed

Page Speed is a critical metric that impacts both user experience and search engine ranking. It is a major component of the Lighthouse Score.

Optimization

Optimization is a perpetual strategy, not a one-time fix. It encompasses several key activities: technical optimization, render blocking, CRO and SEO optimzation.

Open Graph Tags

Open Graph Tags (OG tags) dictate the precise title, description, and image that appear in a social media preview card. Correct implementation is a key element of Technical SEO and marketing.

No-Code Development

No-Code Development utilizes platforms like Webflow to empower designers and subject matter experts to build highly custom, production-ready digital products. These platforms manage the underlying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript automatically.

Naming Convention

A Naming Convention provides a structure and vocabulary for the entire development project. Using a recognized system (like BEM or a custom client-specific standard) for naming CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) classes is vital.

Metadata

In the context of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Metadata is the text that website owners use to tell search engines (and users) what a page is about. Key types include: title tag, meta description, and open graph image.

Lottie Animation

Lottie Animations are high-quality, scalable vector animations that are vastly more lightweight and efficient than traditional GIFs or MP4 videos.

Lighthouse Score

The Lighthouse Score provides a benchmark (from 0 to 100) for the technical health of a website. Achieving a high score (typically 90+) is a goal for every modern developer. The Performance score is influenced by factors like: page speed and asset optimization.

JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the three core web languages (along with HTML and CSS). It is primarily executed on the client-side (the user's browser) and handles everything related to interactivity.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

JSON is the most common format for data exchange on the web today. It is based on a simple "key: value" pair structure, making it easy for both humans to read and machines to parse.

Integration

Integration is the fundamental act of making disparate software tools work together. For B2B/SaaS, this means connecting the Webflow marketing site to the rest of the business ecosystem: CRM, analytics, and marketing.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

HTML is the foundational structure of every website. It is not a programming language, but a markup language that uses tags to structure the content and provide meaning (semantics).

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a free web analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic, user behavior, and conversion data.

Frontend Development

The Frontend (or client-side) is the layer of a website that users experience. It is built using the core web languages: HTML (structure), CSS (styling), and JavaScript (interactivity).

Framework

A Framework offers a foundation upon which to build, defining the rules and structure, unlike a simple library (which only offers components). They promote efficiency, consistency, and adherence to best practices.

Domain

The Domain is the unique name that identifies a website on the Internet. It is translated by the Domain Name System (DNS) into an IP address that computers use to locate the site's server. Key components include the Second-Level Domain (e.g., 'flowtrix') and the Top-Level Domain (e.g., '.co', '.com', '.ai').

Deployment

Deployment is the technical procedure that pushes the final, tested code from the development environment to the live production environment. It includes several non-negotiable steps.

Backend

The Backend is the technical foundation that powers the website's functionality. It includes the server, the database (where data is stored), and the application logic that processes requests. While Webflow handles much of the complexity, integrating external services or custom web applications (like user authentication or complex database querying) requires custom Backend solutions.

Asset Optimization

This technical process ensures that a website's media files (Assets) are as small as possible without sacrificing visual quality, leading to faster loading times. Techniques include: Image compression, lazy loading, and minification.

Accessibility

Accessibility refers to removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from interacting with a website. This includes users with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments. Adherence to web accessibility relies on meeting the standards set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

API (Application Programming Interface)

A

An API acts as a middleman, defining the methods and data formats that different programs can use to request and exchange information. When your website needs to talk to a separate service (like your CRM, a payment gateway, or a third-party analytics tool), it uses an API.