Online Business Glossary Guide for Entrepreneurs
Essential Terms You Actually Need to Know
By Siân Morgan-Owen
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I love.
Online Business Glossary Guide for Entrepreneurs - Introduction
The online business world is packed with jargon, and let’s be honest, half the time, people throw around terms and it can be a struggle to keep up. Whether you’re building a website, running ads, launching a course, or trying to figure out what the hell a funnel actually does, this glossary has got you covered.
We’ve pulled together the essential terms you need to know. No unnecessary waffle, no overcomplicated explanations, just a straight-to-the-point guide to help you get clear on the language of digital business in the online space.
If you’ve ever nodded along in an event or networking meeting pretending you knew what “CTR” or “lead magnet” meant, this is for you. Keep it handy, refer back when needed, and finally, start using these terms with confidence.
Online Business Glossary
Websites & Web Pages
- All-in-One Platform – A system that combines website hosting, email marketing, and sales funnels into one tool. Like Kartra, Kajabi, Funnel Sketchers or Easy Peasy Funnels.
- Domain Name – A website’s unique address (e.g., .com, .co.uk, .net, .store).
- Landing Page – A standalone web page designed for a specific purpose, such as capturing leads or driving sales. Common types include:
- Sales Page – Focused on selling a product or service.
- Squeeze Page – Designed to capture email addresses with minimal distractions.
- SSL Certificate – A security protocol that encrypts data between a website and its visitors, ensuring secure transactions and improving trust and SEO.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – The web address used to access a website or specific web page. For example, www.digitallydazzling.com is the URL for Digitally Dazzling’s homepage, while https://digitallydazzling.com/resources/ directs users to the resources page containing various free tools and downloads.
- Web Hosting – A service that stores website files and makes them accessible on the internet.
- Webpage – A single page within a website.
- Website – A collection of related web pages under a single domain.
- Website Page Builder – A tool used within website platforms to design and customise web pages without coding (e.g., Elementor, Divi, Thrive Architect).
- Website Platforms – Systems that provide the foundation for building and hosting websites (e.g., WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Shopify).
SEO & Online Visibility
- Keyword / Keyphrase – A specific word or phrase used to optimise content for search engines.
- Meta Description – A short text description of a webpage, displayed in search engine results.
- Mobile Optimisation – Adjusting a website so it functions properly on mobile devices.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) – Strategies to improve website rankings on search engines.
Digital Marketing & Lead Generation
- Automation / Workflow – Systems that automate tasks like email sequences or lead tracking.
- Call to Action (CTA) – A prompt encouraging users to take action (e.g., “Download Now”).
- Digital Links Page (Linktree, Link in Bio) – A single page with multiple “quick” links, often used in social media bios.
- Email Marketing – Sending emails to engage subscribers and nurture leads.
- Email Newsletter / Broadcast / Campaign – Regular or one-off emails sent to subscribers.
- Email Nurture Sequence – A series of automated emails guiding leads toward a sale.
- Email Tagging – Labelling email subscribers based on behaviour for targeted marketing.
- Lead Generation – The process of attracting and capturing potential customers.
- Lead Magnet / Opt-in Freebie – A free resource (e.g., checklist, eGuide, quiz) offered in exchange for an email.
- List Building – Growing an email subscriber list for marketing purposes.
- Marketing Ecosystem – The combined platforms and strategies used for business marketing.
- QR Code – A scannable code linking to digital content.
- Sign-Up Form – A form used to collect email addresses or customer information.
Funnels & Sales Strategies
- Conversion Rate – The percentage of people who complete a desired action (e.g., purchase or sign-up).
- Click-Through Rate (CTR) – The percentage of people who click a link after seeing it.
- Downsell – A lower-cost alternative offered to potential buyers who decline a higher-priced offer.
- Funnel (Sales, Lead, Challenge) – A structured process guiding potential customers toward a purchase.
- High-Ticket – Premium-priced products or services.
- Low-Ticket – Affordable products or services, often used to attract new customers.
- Sales Stack – A collection of tools used to support sales efforts.
- Tripwire – A low-cost, high-value offer designed to convert leads into paying customers immediately after they opt in for a free resource (e.g., a £9 mini-course offered after downloading a free checklist). It helps move potential customers further into the sales funnel.
- Upsell – A higher-priced product or service offered after an initial purchase.
Content Creation & Repurposing
- Blog – A regularly updated section of a website featuring articles and insights.
- Captions & Posts – Text accompanying social media content.
- Content Creation – The process of developing written, visual, or video content.
- Content Repurposing – Transforming one piece of content into multiple formats (e.g., turning a blog into social media posts).
- Gifs / Memes / Polls – Engaging social media content types.
- Infographic – A visual representation of information.
- Interactive & Engaging Content – Digital content designed to encourage interaction and engagement on social media. Examples include:
- GIFs – Short, looping animated images used to convey emotions, reactions, or messages.
- Memes – Humorous or relatable images, text, or videos that spread quickly across social media.
- Polls – Interactive questions that allow audiences to vote on different options, increasing engagement.
- Podcast – An audio-based digital content format.
- Slide Deck / PowerPoint / Presentation – A visual tool for delivering presentations.
Social Media & Engagement
- Audience – The group of people a business aims to reach and engage with.
- Influencer – A person with a large online following who can impact purchasing decisions.
- Online Space – The digital world where businesses operate.
- Platform Management – Overseeing a brand’s presence across digital platforms.
- Scheduling Platform – A tool for automating social media posting (e.g., Meta, Buffer, Later).
- Social Media Management – Handling social media content, strategy, and engagement.
- Social Media Platforms –
- Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X (Twitter), Blue Sky – Common social networking sites.
- Social Media Posts – Various types of content shared on social media, including:
- Carousels – Multiple images or slides in one post.
- Instagram Puzzle/Grid – A cohesive Instagram feed layout.
- Reels / Shorts – Short-form vertical videos (Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts).
- Static Posts – Single-image social media posts.
- Stories – Temporary content that disappears after 24 hours.
- User-Generated Content – Content created by customers or followers (testimonials, metrics, reviews etc).
Online Business Models & Digital Products
- Digital Products – Non-physical products sold online, such as:
- Courses – Online educational content available as:
- Evergreen – Always available for purchase.
- One-to-Many – Delivered to groups.
- One-to-One – Delivered individually.
- Memberships – Subscription-based communities or content access.
- Downloads – Digital resources like templates, eBooks, or workbooks.
- Courses – Online educational content available as:
- Online Membership – A paid community offering exclusive content or support.
- Power Hour – A one-hour coaching or strategy session.
Business Operations & Support
- Agency – A business offering professional services in digital marketing, tech, or operations.
- Automation Tags – Labels used in automation tools to track user actions.
- Book a Call – A meeting scheduling system (e.g., Calendly).
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management) – Software for managing client interactions and sales pipelines.
- Customer Journey – The process a customer takes from discovering a brand to making a purchase.
- Digital Operations Director – A strategic leader managing digital business operations. Find out more HERE.
- Done for You (DFY) – Services completed entirely by a provider.
- Done with You (DWY) – A collaborative service where the client and provider work together.
- Do It Yourself (DIY) – Self-service business tools or training.
- Graphic Design – The creation of visual assets for branding and marketing.
- Mission & Vision – A business’s purpose and future goals.
- Online Business Manager (OBM) – A professional who oversees digital business operations and strategy. Find out more HERE.
- Outsourcing – Hiring external specialists for business tasks.
- Strategy & Plan – A structured approach to achieving business goals.
- Tech Stack – The collection of software and tools a business uses.
- Virtual Assistant (VA) – A remote worker providing admin or digital business support. Find out more HERE.
Online Security & Compliance
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – A UK/EU regulation for data privacy and security.
- Privacy Policy / Terms & Conditions / Cookie Policy – Legal documents outlining data handling practices.
Final Thoughts
This glossary isn’t an exhaustive list—far from it. The online space is always evolving, and so is the terminology that comes with it. New trends, platforms, and strategies pop up all the time, so this guide will be updated regularly to keep up.
If there’s a term you think should be added or clarified, let me know! And if you’d like a downloadable copy to keep handy, just fill in the form below and receive instant access.