Blogging for Dumb Dumbs: Blogger’s Dictionary

Deciphering blogging lingo can be super confusing. If you just want to get blogging but feel completely discouraged by “blogger babble,” you’re not alone.  When I first started blogging, it took me time (and patience) to decode all the jargon. So as part of my Blogging for Dumb Dumbs series, I put together this mini dictionary, using the most simplistic terms possible, to help those of you who are getting started on this journey and struggling with all the alien speak. Let me know if you need a definition for a term not listed on here. Hope this helps!

Cpanel: the administrative backend of your host.

Dashboard: your platform’s administrative area.

Domain: where your website is located on the web. Usually starts with a www.

Featured image: an image that you select to represent your blog post. This image shows up in your blog archives, and on any social media platforms where you share your post.

Footer: the very bottom part of your website. Usually has copyright info.

FTP (file transfer protocol): Noun – Used to transfer files between a client and server. Verb –   to upload files to a web host.

Gadget: see Widget.

Header: the very top portion of your website. Usually has a navigation bar.

Host: Noun – a company that stores your data/website files on their server. Verb – to store data.

Landing page: where someone lands if they click on a specific link. Used in advertising and can have a clear call to action (ex: subscribe to receive XYZ).

Menu: a bar that displays links to the main pages of your website. Often found on the header or sidebar of sites.

Page: a static area on your web page that can house content or images.

Permalink: a permanent link to a web page or post.

Platform: also known as a content management system (CMS). This the software you use, such as WordPress, to post and manage content.

Plugin: something you install to add an enhancement or feature to your website.

Post: Noun – an individual article about a specific topic or subject, which you later publish on your blog. Verb – to publish something to your blog

Publish: making a post go live on your website.

RSS (really simple syndication): this is a feed of your blog’s latest content that is delivered to people who want to receive updates when you publish that content.

Shortlink: is the shortest, more permanent version of a permalink. Usually consists of a post’s numerical ID—which never changes.

SEO (search engine optimization): strategically using the right keywords and phrases in the right places. Done correctly, it can help search engines find it and pull it to the top of search results.

Sidebar: the areas to the right and left sides of your site that house any gadgets or widgets you choose to place there.

Theme: the look and design of your site. Based on visual elements—what they look like and where they are placed on your site.

URL: also known as link. The direct link you give to others to allow them to find your website or page on the world wide web.

Widgets: applications that allow you to perform a function on your website. Usually placed in sidebars.