Glossary

Glossary

Ever wondered what everyone's talking about? Confused by all these new-fangled phrases like "we'll have the wireframes available shortly for heuristic testing"? Hopefully the list below will shed some light on a couple of the more commonly used phrases!

Accessibility

The degree to which a system or device can be accessed by any user. It commonly refers to the ease of access by those with physical or cognitive disabilities but can be applicable to the accessibilty of your site in general.

Affiliate Marketing

A working relationship whereby a merchant, such as an online shop or advertiser, has consumers driven to it by ads placed on affiliated content websites. If a consumer visiting the affiliate's site goes on to perform a predetermined action, usually a purchase, on the merchant's site, then the affiliate receives a commission.

AJAX

A technique used in web development that allows for information on a page to update or change without the page having to reload thereby giving the user a faster and more engaging experience.

Concept Testing

Validating the likely benefits of design ideas with end users before progressing to final designs.

Heuristic Reviews

The study of a system's usability by a user experience professional, judging its performance against predefined rule of thumb measures such as findability and learnability

Information Architecture

The discipline of defining an information model or concept and structuring information around this.

Usability

The extent to which a system can be used by users to achieve goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.

glossary

User Centred Design

A method that ensures users' needs and behaviours are considered at every stage of the design process. It involves the engagement of real end users to the testing and validation of concepts and designs, the iteration of those designs, and the provision of a recognised user experience.

User Experience

The design of user interaction with a system, product or service considering the usability, the enjoyment and the fit to the way users think.

User Generated Content

Web content in multiple formats directly provided by end users including discussion forums, blogs, comments, ratings and podcasts.

Web 2.0

Considered to be the second generation of web applications, this term refers to online communities and services that allow user interaction, collaboration and social networking between users.

Web Analytics

The capture of data around usage of a website which helps you understand user entry points, paths, conversion rates, exit points and time spent looking at pages - fascinating!

Wireframes

A blueprint of a web page devoid of graphics illustrating the layout, grouping and prioritisation of information and functional elements of an interface.