Websiteprofita reference for small website owners

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Glossary

Glossary of terms

Website owners constantly run into terms from different fields, from DNS and certificates to indexing and personal data. This glossary gathers the key concepts in three groups: site and hosting, search and analytics, security and law. The definitions are given in general terms: look for technical details in standards and documentation, and for legal concepts in the text of the law.

Once you understand "indexing" and "ranking", it's easier not to believe those who promise first place in search within a week.

— Editor's note

How this section works: we explain common terms in plain language. If a term is defined in a standard or law, rely on the official wording.

Site and hosting

Domain
A site's name on the internet, such as example.com. It is registered for a fixed term and must be renewed on time.
DNS
The Domain Name System: maps a site's name to a server address and stores other domain records, for example for email.
Hosting
A service that places a site on an internet-connected server. It can be shared, VPS, dedicated or static.
VPS
Virtual private server: a slice of a physical server with its own resources and full access to its settings.
CMS
Content management system: software that lets you create and edit a site's pages without coding.
Plugin
An add-on to a CMS that adds new features. Each plugin has to be updated separately.
Backup
A copy of a site's files and database from which it can be restored. A common rule of thumb is "3-2-1".
Indexing
Adding a site's pages to a search engine's database. An indexed page can appear in search results, but its position is not guaranteed.
robots.txt
A file in the site root that tells search engine crawlers which sections not to crawl. The protocol was standardised as RFC 9309 in 2022.
Sitemap
A file listing a site's pages for search engines. The format is described by the Sitemaps protocol at sitemaps.org.
Core Web Vitals
A set of page experience metrics introduced by Google in 2020: LCP for loading speed of the main content, CLS for visual stability and INP for responsiveness. INP replaced FID in March 2024.
Web analytics
Collecting and analysing data about visits to a site: where people come from, which pages they view and where they leave.
Keyword
A word or phrase people type into a search box. It helps you understand how your audience phrases its questions.

Security and law

HTTPS and TLS certificate
A secure connection between the browser and the site. It requires a TLS certificate; free certificates are issued, for example, by the non-profit certificate authority Let's Encrypt, which began public operation in 2015.
Two-factor authentication
Logging in with two confirmations, such as a password and a one-time code. It protects an account even if the password is stolen.
Phishing
A scam that lures a person to a fake page to trick them into giving away a password or payment details.
Personal data
Information relating to a specific person: name, phone number, email address and so on. In Russia its processing is governed by Federal Law No. 152-FZ; in the EU, by the GDPR.
Ad labelling
Mandatory labelling of online advertising in Russia, in force since 1 September 2022 under amendments to the Law on Advertising.
WCAG
The W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: how to make a site usable for people with visual, hearing, motor and other impairments. Version 2.2 was published in 2023.
  • Comparisons

    Comparing hosting types and monetisation methods: what suits when, pros, cons and requirements.

  • Security

    Threats to a small website: outdated plugins, weak passwords, spam sign-ups, malicious injections, phishing, domain loss.

  • FAQ

    Answers about this reference, launching and maintaining a site, money and the law.

Sources

  • RFC 9309
  • web.dev — Core Web Vitals
  • W3C — WCAG
  • Let's Encrypt
  • Federal Law No. 152-FZ on Personal Data
  • Federal Law No. 38-FZ on Advertising

Information on standards and laws is based on official sources as of the preparation date. Technologies, search engine rules and laws change, so check the current documentation and the laws in force.