Web projects in Travis County often involves using tech jargon. This glossary breaks down common terms, and acronyms during the overall website design and development process.
Accessibility
See content standards.
Alt text
Alternative text presented to blind screenreader users in place of images they cannot see. Every image that conveys content or has a function on your website should be given alternative text.
Analytics
The collection, measurement, analysis, and interpretation of data related to the performance and user behavior of a website or online platform. Web analytics tools provide insights into various metrics such as website traffic, user engagement, conversion rates, and other key performance indicators. Travis County relies on Silktide as the preferred analytics platform.
Silktide is an analytics tool used to assess and improve the quality, accessibility, and performance of websites. It provides insights into various aspects of web content, highlighting areas for enhancement to ensure a better user experience and compliance with standards.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. In the realm of AI, various tools and technologies contribute to creating intelligent systems.
Generative AI: A subset of AI that involves systems capable of generating new and unique content, such as text, images, or music. This creativity often stems from the utilization of advanced machine learning algorithms and models.
Large language models: These are sophisticated AI models, such as GPT-3 (Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3), that excel in understanding and generating human-like text. These models, pre-trained on vast datasets, significantly influence the capabilities of Generative AI, enabling a broad range of language-related tasks.
Machine Learning: A core component of AI, machine learning involves the development of algorithms that allow systems to learn from data and improve their performance over time. Supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning are common approaches within this domain.
Body
Main content area of each page on a website.
Breadcrumb
A navigational tool on a webpage, usually displayed near the top, presenting a hierarchical trail of links representing the user's path from the homepage to the current page. It aids navigation, offering users a clear way to understand site structure and easily navigate back to previous levels.
Call to action (CTA)
The word, phrase, or piece of content that prompts a website visitor to perform a specific act, such as clicking on a link. CTA elements are features such as buttons, tabs, or links that enable users to perform the expected action.
Cascading style sheets (CSS)
With CSS, web designers can create a style sheet to define the look of different elements such as headers, fonts, and links, and apply the styles to multiple web pages.
Color contrast
Difference between two colors. Levels of contrast vary from high to low, depending on their position on the color wheel, with black and white creating the highest contrast possible. Using contrasting colors is a useful tool when designing accessible web content.
Content audit
A content audit is a systematic analysis of the existing content on a website. It involves reviewing and evaluating all content assets, such as text, images, and multimedia, to assess their relevance, quality, and performance. Content audits are essential for optimizing information architecture, identifying outdated or redundant content, and ensuring that the website aligns with organizational goals and user needs.
Content management system (CMS)
A CMS helps manage the creation and modification of digital content. It uses a backend interface to push changes to live websites and typically includes WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") text editors and fields to upload digital assets such as images and videos.
Drupal
Drupal is an open-source CMS and web development framework, known for its flexibility and scalability. It enables the creation of diverse web content, from simple sites to complex applications, with a modular architecture and a supportive community. Travis County ITS is currently assessing this CMS as a replacement for Joomla.
Joomla!
Joomla! is the county’s current open-source CMS. It offers a modular architecture, templates, and extensions, Joomla empowers users to build and manage websites and online applications.
Article: In the context of Joomla, an article is a fundamental and easily editable content element. It typically represents a written document containing text, images, and multimedia. Notably, articles are the simplest to edit as they utilize plain text editors, offering a user-friendly approach compared to more complex module or HTML-based editors. Articles can be organized, categorized, and displayed flexibly, making them a primary building block for creating and managing content on Joomla websites.
Module: Modules are features that are part of the Joomla CMS platform. A module refers to flexible extensions that enhance the functionality and presentation of a Joomla-based website. They are distinct units that can be assigned to specific positions on a page and provide various features such as menus, login forms, or custom content. They may require frequent updates for consistent functionality.
Content standards
The Digital and Web Services Team has developed standards that encompass key aspects such as Accessibility, Discoverability, Findability, and Usability within the digital landscape. This umbrella term reflects the strategic objectives set by organizations to optimize the quality and accessibility of their online content.
Accessibility: The degree to which a website or web application is designed and developed to be usable by people of all abilities and disabilities. This includes considerations for those with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments, ensuring equal access to information and functionality.
Discoverability: In the context of search engine optimization (SEO), discoverability refers to the ability of a website or web page to be found and indexed by search engines. It involves optimizing content and technical elements to enhance visibility in search engine results pages
Findability: Findability relates to the ease with which users can locate specific information or content within a webpage. It involves organizing and presenting content in a way that allows users to quickly and intuitively locate what they are looking for.
Usability: Usability refers to the extent to which a website, application, or system can be used effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily by its intended users. A usable design focuses on providing a seamless and intuitive user experience, minimizing friction in tasks, and ensuring that users can navigate, interact, and accomplish goals with ease.
Contextual navigation
Contextual navigation refers to a website or application design strategy that tailors the navigation experience based on the user's context, actions, or preferences. Instead of presenting a fixed navigation structure, contextual navigation dynamically adjusts to provide relevant and personalized options as users interact with the platform. This approach enhances user engagement by offering intuitive pathways, anticipating user needs, and streamlining the access to pertinent information or features. Contextual navigation is particularly valuable for creating user-centric experiences, optimizing usability, and improving overall satisfaction with digital interfaces.
Discoverability
See content standards.
Domain hosting
Domain hosting refers to vendors that specialize in hosting domain names for individuals and companies. Domain names are used in URLs to identify particular web pages. Sometimes domain hosting and web hosting are used synonymously because vendors offer both services, but they are separate functions.
Domain name
A domain name is your website’s address that specifies where a browser should go to look for information on the internet. When you access a website through a web browser, the domain name is translated to an Internet Protocol (IP) address, which represents the server on which the website is hosted.
DNS
Domain Name Servers are the internet’s equivalent of a phone book or directory. They keep an updated list of domain names and translate them back into IP addresses. Although people find it easy to remember domain names, the internet is based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address.
Drop-down menu
Navigational menu with sub-menus or categories below it. When hovered over or clicked on, the sub-menus “drop down” to become visible to the user. This is sometimes referred to as a flyout menu.
Findability
See content standards.
Footer
Bottom section of a website that appears on every page of the website. A number of items can be displayed here, such as contact information, links to a social media feed, or a newsletter subscription form.
Grid
System of horizontal and vertical lines providing a structural basis for page layout and design which communicates order, economy, and consistency. The grid provides a common structure and flexibility for organizing content.
Hamburger menu
Toggle navigation menu that is mainly used for mobile versions of website navigation as it compresses the navigation and expands when clicked. Called a hamburger because it is usually displayed with three horizontal lines that look like a hamburger.
Header
Top section of website that appears on every page of a website. The header usually displays the navigation bar and may incorporate items such as a logo, name, and search function.
Hero image
A hero image is a large banner image prominently placed on a web page, generally in the front and center.
Home page
Main page of a website that serves as the starting point.
Hyperlinks, links
Hyperlinks can direct users to PDFs, other Travis County webpages, other websites, and more. Hyperlinks are useful when needing to offer your reader another relevant online resource.
A link is simply a web address, while a hyperlink can have a graphic or text that is representative of where the link will direct the user. For example, www.google.com is a link and “http://www.google.com” is the text that redirects users when that link is selected.
Information architecture (IA)
Organizing of information, including site hierarchies, web content, labeling schemes and navigation. IA makes it easy to intuitively find, understand, and manage information.
JavaScript
A programming language that can create dynamic and complex features on web pages. Its features are used to enhance web pages and make them more engaging and can include things like interactive maps, animated graphics, and live content updates.
Landing page
A top-level page that serves as the first page for a website section. This often corresponds with a link in the main navigation.
Main navigation/menu
Navigational elements that appear on a website. Also known as the menu bar and commonly located at the top of a website or on one side
Metadata
Data that helps define the contents of a web page. The information contained in the metadata isn’t visible on the web page but is contained in meta tags in the source code of the website. For example, the description meta tag is used by search engines to display a description of the web page in the search.
Microsoft PowerBI
PowerBI, developed by Microsoft, is a business analytics service that enables organizations to visualize and analyze their data. It provides interactive reports, dashboards, and data visualization tools, allowing users to gain insights and make informed decisions based on their data.
Microsoft SharePoint
SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft. It provides tools for document management, content collaboration, and workflow automation. SharePoint allows organizations to create intranet sites, team sites, and portals for better information sharing, communication, and collaboration within the workplace.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that integrates chat, video conferencing, file storage, and application integration. It facilitates communication and collaboration among teams, especially in remote or distributed work environments.
Channel: In Microsoft Teams, a channel is a dedicated space within a team where members can communicate, share files, and collaborate on specific topics or projects. Channels help organize discussions and resources for better team collaboration.
Mockup
Detailed static representation of the website design. A good mockup demonstrates the information structure, content, and basic functionality in static form. Mockups make it easier to envision the idea of the final product.
Page title
Title of a web page that appears in the browser window.
Page type
Page types refer to the different classifications or categories of web pages within a website, each serving a specific purpose. Templates are pre-designed layouts or frameworks used to maintain consistency and structure across pages of the same type. Together, they streamline the design and content creation process, ensuring a cohesive and standardized look and feel throughout the website.
PCI compliance
PCI Compliance (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security standards established to protect sensitive payment card information during and after financial transactions. Organizations that handle credit card data must adhere to PCI Compliance requirements to ensure secure processing, storage, and transmission of payment information.
A Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format used to present documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems. PDFs maintain most of the formatting of documents, but measures must still be taken to ensure each PDF file is formatted with accessibility in mind.
PHP
PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely used open-source server-side scripting language. Primarily designed for web development, PHP is embedded within HTML code to execute server-side scripts. It is known for its versatility, ease of integration with databases, and support for creating dynamic and interactive web pages.
Plain language
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 is a U.S. federal law that requires federal government agencies to use clear and straightforward language in official documents, forms, and other communication. The goal is to enhance public understanding of government information, making it more accessible to a broader audience. Travis County applies the same standards.
Prototype
Detailed representation of the final product. It simulates user interaction with the interface and allows the user to rate the content and interface and test the primary options for communication with the app. Interactions must be modeled in a way that closely mimic the final product
Responsive web design
Provides an optimal viewing experience across platforms and devices. The content and layout of a website should efficiently respond or adapt to the technology or type of device on which it is opened.
RSS
Also known as Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication, RSS is a standard that allows for the syndication of web content from an online publisher to Internet users. RSS feeds are typically used to publish frequently updated information, such as blog entries or news headlines.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Refers to helping search engines understand the information on a website in order to rank higher in organic search results. This includes having title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text for images on a website.
Search results
Pages that a search engine shows in response to a user’s search term. The order in which the resulting websites are listed are called rankings. Most users will not click beyond the second page of results, which is why ranking/appearing on the first few pages is of critical importance.
Section 508
Section 508 refers to a set of accessibility standards outlined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, specifically addressing the accessibility of electronic and information technology. Compliance with Section 508 ensures that digital content and technologies are accessible to individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and equal access to government information and services.
Services
Services encompass a wide array of publicly funded initiatives, programs, and activities provided by the county to serve and benefit its constituents. These offerings span various sectors, including healthcare, public safety, community development, and more. The goal of Travis County services is to enhance the quality of life for residents, address community needs, and contribute to the overall well-being of the local population. The diverse range of services reflects the county's commitment to fostering a thriving and inclusive community for all.
Side navigation
Section on the side of some or all web pages within a website. Displays information that may need to be accessed from all or certain pages on a site, such as a mailing list sign up form, related links, or a list of recent blog posts.
Sitemap
Document that shows a global, hierarchical view of a website’s pages and content. This is usually one of the first steps in a website design as it is important to know what content is needed on a website before design begins.
Slider
Rotating banner of images that is usually placed on the homepage of a website in a slideshow format to highlight different content and include images or video.
Template
Pre-designed HTML resource(s) that define the content structure for the layout and visual design of web pages.
Ticket
In the context of web development and project management, a ticket is a digital or physical record that represents a specific task, issue, or request. It is used to track and manage the progress of projects, facilitate communication among team members, and ensure accountability for assigned responsibilities.
Travis Central
Travis Central is the intranet site for Travis County staff. Serving as a private hub for internal communication and collaboration, Travis Central provides employees with resources, tools, and information necessary for efficient workflow and coordination within the organization.
Usability
See content standards.
User experience (UX)
Broad term that includes several disciplines that study the effect of design on the ease of use and level of satisfaction with a product, website, or system.
User research
User research is a systematic process of understanding the behaviors, needs, and preferences of target audiences through various qualitative and quantitative methods including user research studies.
Study: A user research study is a structured investigation conducted to gather specific insights about users and their interactions with a product or service. It typically involves defining research goals, selecting appropriate methodologies, collecting data, and analyzing findings. User research studies aim to uncover user preferences, pain points, and behaviors, providing valuable input for designing and optimizing digital experiences.
WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of guidelines developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WCAG provides standards and recommendations for creating accessible web content, making digital information and services more usable for people with disabilities.
Web hosting
By working with a web hosting vendor, website owners can save and access their website quickly without having to purchase and connect their own web server. Many website builders include hosting services within their subscriptions.
Rochen: Rochen is a web hosting company known for providing reliable and secure hosting solutions. Specializing in hosting services for platforms like Joomla and WordPress, Rochen offers features such as robust server infrastructure, performance optimization, and excellent customer support to ensure the smooth operation of websites.
Wireframe
A simplified sketch of the important information on a page, also known as page architecture, page schematic, or a blueprint. This skeleton of the website design which should contain all the important elements of the final product.
Workflow
Workflow refers to the sequence of steps or processes involved in completing a specific task or achieving a particular goal within a digital environment. In web development, it often involves the coordination of various team members and tools to streamline the creation, maintenance, or improvement of a website.
301 - Redirect
Permanent redirect from one URL to another, usually from an old website to the new website. 301 Redirects are also used to redirect traffic from old web pages to the new pages that have taken their place. (e.g., “website.com/about-us” is now “website.com/our-company”) on the new website to avoid a 404 error.
404 - Page Not Found
Message a user sees when they try to reach a nonexistent page on a website; usually due to someone reaching a page that has been deleted, or if they have mistyped the URL. An effective 404 error page should communicate why the page doesn’t exist and what users can do next.