Development Glossary

Webflow

Webflow is an all-in-one Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that functions as a visual development tool, a CMS (Content Management System), and a hosting service. It empowers designers to build, style, and launch websites that generate high-quality HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Z-Index (CSS Property)

The Z-Index controls the depth position of elements on the z-axis (the axis coming out of the screen). Elements with a higher Z-Index value appear on top of elements with lower values.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

XML is a foundational technical language, similar to HTML, but unlike HTML (which defines content structure for display), XML defines data structure for storage and transfer.

Workflow

A Workflow defines the repeatable process for any business activity, from the internal steps a developer takes to build a feature to the automated sequence that routes a new lead. In web development, key workflows include: development, marketing, and content.

Version Control

Version Control (most commonly using a tool like Git) is a foundational practice in professional development. It allows multiple developers to work on the same project simultaneously without overwriting each other's work.

Template

A Template is the structured design blueprint for a category of pages, ensuring consistency across a large volume of content. In Webflow, the CMS (Content Management System) uses templates to display every blog post, case study, or team member profile.

Section

A Section is the large container that divides a webpage into digestible parts, such as the Hero Section, a "Features" section, or a "Testimonials" section.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Quality Assurance is a comprehensive process that spans the entire Revamp and development cycle, ensuring high-quality standards are met. It involves: testing, technical checks, and aesthetic review.

Reusable Components

Reusable Components are the building blocks of Modular Design and the coded realization of a Component Library. They are built once and then dropped onto any number of pages or templates across the site.

Responsive Design

Responsive Design ensures a single codebase adapts fluidly to all Viewports, from large desktop monitors to small smartphones. It is achieved through flexible Layout Grids, fluid images (Object Fit), and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) media queries that apply specific styles based on screen size.

Render Blocking

Render Blocking code is a major cause of slow Page Speed and a poor Lighthouse Score. When a browser encounters a large, external JavaScript or CSS file, it stops rendering the page until that file is downloaded and executed.

Reflow

Reflow is a heavy computational task that slows down a web page's rendering speed and causes Jitter in Animation or scrolling. It is triggered by changes to element dimensions, content, or specific CSS properties.

Progressive Web App (PWA)

A PWA is built using standard web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) but offers features traditionally reserved for native mobile apps: offline functionality, and performance.

Pixel Perfect

Pixel Perfect is a term used to define the highest quality standard for Frontend Development. It confirms the coded Webflow site adheres precisely to the original Figma Mockup or High-Fidelity Prototype in terms of: spacing, tyography, and aligne

Object Fit

Object Fit is a critical CSS property for Responsive Design. It addresses the common problem of images being either stretched, distorted, or cropped incorrectly within a fixed container size. The most common values are: cover, contain, and fill.

No-Code Development

No-Code Development utilizes platforms like Webflow to empower designers and subject matter experts to build highly custom, production-ready digital products. These platforms manage the underlying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript automatically.

Naming Convention

A Naming Convention provides a structure and vocabulary for the entire development project. Using a recognized system (like BEM or a custom client-specific standard) for naming CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) classes is vital.

Modular Design

Modular Design is the application of the Component Library and Atomic Design principles to the entire website structure. Instead of building pages from scratch, developers build them by snapping together pre-designed and pre-coded modules (Sections, components, and organisms).

Mobile Responsiveness

Mobile Responsiveness is essential for all modern websites, as a majority of traffic often comes from mobile devices. It is achieved primarily through flexible CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and the use of a fluid Layout Grid.

Jitter (in animation)

Jitter is the visual symptom of the browser struggling to render visual changes at a consistent frame rate (ideally 60 frames per second). It's caused when the JavaScript or CSS used for Animation is computationally expensive or forces the browser to frequently recalculate the layout (known as Reflow or layout thrashing).

JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the three core web languages (along with HTML and CSS). It is primarily executed on the client-side (the user's browser) and handles everything related to interactivity.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

JSON is the most common format for data exchange on the web today. It is based on a simple "key: value" pair structure, making it easy for both humans to read and machines to parse.

Iteration

Iteration is the principle of continuous improvement, moving away from a single, static product launch toward an ongoing cycle of refinement. It is the engine behind Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) and Growth-Focused Strategies.

Integration

Integration is the fundamental act of making disparate software tools work together. For B2B/SaaS, this means connecting the Webflow marketing site to the rest of the business ecosystem: CRM, analytics, and marketing.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

HTML is the foundational structure of every website. It is not a programming language, but a markup language that uses tags to structure the content and provide meaning (semantics).

Frontend Development

The Frontend (or client-side) is the layer of a website that users experience. It is built using the core web languages: HTML (structure), CSS (styling), and JavaScript (interactivity).

Framework

A Framework offers a foundation upon which to build, defining the rules and structure, unlike a simple library (which only offers components). They promote efficiency, consistency, and adherence to best practices.

Ecommerce

Ecommerce refers to all online transactions. While Flowtrix primarily serves B2B and SaaS clients focused on Lead Generation, we provide solutions for companies selling services or products online

Dynamic Content

Unlike static text, Dynamic Content is loaded and displayed in real-time. This content is typically stored in a database or a CMS (Content Management System) and pulled onto the page via templates.

Design System

A Design System is more than a simple Style Guide; it is the single source of truth for the entire interface. It is typically housed in Figma (design files) and implemented in Webflow (code structure). It defines rules for: brand identity and component library.

Deployment

Deployment is the technical procedure that pushes the final, tested code from the development environment to the live production environment. It includes several non-negotiable steps.

Component Library

A Component Library is the heart of a Design System, containing all the modular parts used to construct the interface. These components are fully defined in Figma (design specs) and built as Reusable Components in Webflow (coded elements).

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

CSS is one of the three core technologies of the World Wide Web, alongside HTML and JavaScript. It controls the visual appearance of all website elements, including: color theory, typograpy, and animation.

CMS (Content Management System)

A CMS is the foundational tool that allows non-developers (like marketing or editorial teams) to update website content, such as blog posts, case studies, team member profiles, and product features. The Webflow CMS is highly flexible, functioning as a structured database that separates the content from the design.

Browser Compatibility

Browser Compatibility is a key concern during the Quality Assurance (QA) and Testing phase of web development. Even with modern platforms like Webflow generating clean code, subtle differences in how each browser interprets CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) or JavaScript can cause visual or functional issues.

Backend

The Backend is the technical foundation that powers the website's functionality. It includes the server, the database (where data is stored), and the application logic that processes requests. While Webflow handles much of the complexity, integrating external services or custom web applications (like user authentication or complex database querying) requires custom Backend solutions.

Atomic Design

Coined by Brad Frost, this methodology uses the metaphor of chemistry to organize a Design System into hierarchical components: Atoms, Molecules, Organisms, Templates, and Pages.

Asset Optimization

This technical process ensures that a website's media files (Assets) are as small as possible without sacrificing visual quality, leading to faster loading times. Techniques include: Image compression, lazy loading, and minification.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A

An API acts as a middleman, defining the methods and data formats that different programs can use to request and exchange information. When your website needs to talk to a separate service (like your CRM, a payment gateway, or a third-party analytics tool), it uses an API.