Passed on 7 April, 2025
1. Key concepts
Websites and apps are essential tools for businesses to connect with customers, share information, and achieve their goals online. This lesson will introduce you to the key terms and tech before diving into the specifics.
Get familiar
Take the time to learn about the key terms and concepts. You may recognise some of these terms from other modules and others might be entirely new.
How websites work
Your website is like your business’s home on the internet. It’s where potential customers can come and learn about your business and what it has to offer them.Let’s run down the basics — without getting too technical.
Let’s run down the basics — without getting too technical.
Let’s run down the basics — without getting too technical.
The key components of a website
Knowing the components of a website can help you troubleshoot issues, collaborate effectively with technical teams, and ensure your site is properly set up and running smoothly.
Web servers
A server is a computer connected to the internet that stores (or ‘hosts’) your website content. If you use a website builder, it provides the server for you, so you don’t have to worry about setup—just focus on creating your site.
IP address
Every server has a unique IP address, like 142.251.46.174 for Google.com, that helps computers find it on the internet. Think of it like a digital address that makes sure each server is easy to locate.
Domain name
Luckily, all you need to do is choose a nicer name to reference that numeric IP address. Your web address, or ‘domain name’, is how potential customers will find you. It’s the thing you type into the browser window to get to any website, like www.google.com.
User experience (UX)
User experience (UX) is how a person—the user—feels about interacting with or experiencing a product. In website design, good UX ensures your site is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and meets user needs effectively.
Alt text
Alt text is a brief, written description of an image with the primary purpose of assisting individuals who are visually impaired. It also helps search engines understand your images, improving SEO and site visibility.
What are mobile apps?
A mobile app is a program you download from an app store onto your phone or tablet. It sits right on your device, making it easy to access and use whenever you need.
Key features of mobile apps
Mobile apps offer powerful features that help businesses connect with users and provide a convenient, personalised experience.
Custom user interface
Mobile apps allow businesses to create a unique and tailored user experience, designed specifically for mobile devices. This enables better engagement and usability.
Push notifications
One of the biggest advantages of mobile apps is the ability to send real-time notifications directly to users, keeping them updated and engaged.
Offline functionality
Mobile apps can offer limited functionality even when the user is offline, providing access to important content or features without needing an internet connection.
Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
A Progressive Web App (PWA) is an app you use in your browser—no downloads needed. It offers mobile app features like notifications but only limited offline access. PWAs run on any device or operating system with a browser, providing a seamless experience and reducing development costs.
Customer service chatbots
A customer service chatbot is a program that can chat with people online, like the pop-up helpers you see on websites. It answers questions or guides users through tasks, helping customers quickly get the info they need and freeing up your team for more complex issues.
Types of customer service chatbots
There are two main types of chatbots used in customer service: Rule-based and AI-driven chatbots.
Rule-based chatbots
Rule-based chatbots follow a fixed set of rules to respond to specific inputs. They’re ideal for simple tasks like answering FAQs—for example, providing store hours or return policies—but they aren’t able to handle more complex questions or requests.
AI-driven chatbots
AI-driven chatbots get smarter with every interaction. Unlike rule-based bots, they understand context and can handle more complex tasks, like tracking orders or suggesting products, making conversations with customers feel more natural and helpful.
Lesson complete
Great job!Well done! You’ve now covered the foundational concepts of websites, mobile apps, and chatbots, setting you up for success as you move through the rest of the module.Next up, you’ll learn how to effectively plan a website.
Well done! You’ve now covered the foundational concepts of websites, mobile apps, and chatbots, setting you up for success as you move through the rest of the module.Next up, you’ll learn how to effectively plan a website.
Next up, you’ll learn how to effectively plan a website.
Next up, you’ll learn how to effectively plan a website.