glossary
Not everyone cares to know the details behind web sites, but if you are interested in learning more you can start here.
accessibility : compatibility :
css/xhtml : domain name
search engine optimization :
standards : web host
accessibility
Web sites should be technically accessible to as many users as possible. Accessibility is something most of us don't ever think about, but there are many Internet users who need special consideration because of visual or other disabilities. A good design can accommodate these folks by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines put out by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). These guidelines include clear navigation between pages, easy on the eyes contrast between text and background, and the use of alternate text for images and other non-text elements - features that really benefit all users.
links for more information:
- W3C Introduction to web accessibility
- Cynthia Says - another online accessibility checker
- Developing a Web Accessibility Business Case for Your Organization
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compatibility
We recommend 
Web sites should be compatible with as many different browsers as possible. Compatibility means that the page content (text and images) will look more or less the same on most browsers. With increasing use of a variety of browsers other than Internet Explorer and Netscape, compatibility is even more important than ever. If sites are designed for a certain browser some users may have trouble seeing all the text, drop down menus may not work properly and the images may turn up in odd places. To maintain compatibility, web sites should stick to web standards, limit the use of browser specific or plug-in features, and pages should be tested on different browsers and platforms.
links for more information:
- Cross Browser Compatibility - an article from WebProNews.com
- Cross-browser - an article from Wikipedia
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css/xhtml
XHTML (extensible hypertext markup language) is a variation of HTML, a basic computer language that tells your browser what to display in your browser window and how to display it. Using CSS (cascading style sheets) in addition to XHTML allows the content (text, images etc.) to be separate from the style or the way the content is displayed (layout, fonts, color, etc.). A few benefits of style sheets are smaller, faster loading HTML files and the ability to make site wide changes by just tweaking one CSS file.
links for more information:
- HTML Versus XHTML - from The Web Standards Project
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domain name
Your domain name is your Internet "address." The address is actually a number, but since words have more meaning to most people, you can choose a "name" for your address or domain, such as mywebsite.com.
links for more information:
- The Domain Name System: A Non-Technical Explanation - explanation from InterNIC (Internet Network Information Center)
- Domain name system - an article from Wikipedia
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search engine optimization
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a collection of techniques used to increase a web site's chance of getting a higher placement or ranking by web search engines such as Google or Yahoo. The higher your ranking, the easier it is for visitors to find your site.
links for more information:
- What is SEO? - an article from InfoWorld
- High Accessibility Is Effective Search Engine Optimization - an article from A List Apart
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standards
Web standards are specifications and guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) which allow the software and hardware used to access the Internet to work together.
links for more information:
- About the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - from the W3C
- What are web standards and why should I use them? - from The Web Standards Project
- The Dollars and Sense of Building to Standards - From Digital Web Magazine
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web host
All the files that make up a web site (images, HTML, etc.) must be on a computer that is continually linked to the Internet. A web hosting service provides storage and access to these files. They also provide services such as email accounts, forums, e-commerce systems and database support.
links for more information:
- How to Find a Good Web Hosting Provider - advice for non-profits from TechSoup
- Host Help Article Index - a collection of articlea
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