above the fold - the section of a Web page that is visible without scrolling.

ad space - the space on a Web page available for advertisements.

advertising network - a network representing many Web sites in selling advertising, allowing advertising buyers to reach broad audiences relatively easily through run-of-category and run-of-network buys.

affiliate - the publisher/salesperson in an affiliate marketing relationship.

affiliate directory - a categorized listing of affiliate programs.

affiliate forum - an online community where visitors may read and post topics related to affiliate marketing.

affiliate fraud - bogus activity generated by an affiliate in an attempt to generate illegitimate, unearned revenue.

affiliate marketing - revenue sharing between online advertisers/merchants and online publishers/salespeople, whereby compensation is based on performance measures, typically in the form of sales, clicks, registrations, or a hybrid model.

affiliate merchant - the advertiser in an affiliate marketing relationship.

affiliate network - a value-added intermediary providing services, including aggregation, for affiliate merchants and affiliates.

affiliate software - software that, at a minimum, provides tracking and reporting of commission-triggering actions (sales, registrations, or clicks) from affiliate links.

ALT text - HTML attribute that provides alternative text when non-textual elements, typically images, cannot be displayed.

animated GIF - a graphic in the GIF89a file format that creates the effect of animation by rotating through a series of static images.

anonymous FTP - an option in FTP that allows users to download files without having to establish and account.

Apache - an open source web server software.

application service provider - provider of applications/services that are distributed through a network to many customers in exchange for a stream of smaller payments as opposed to one fixed, upfront price.

ASP Hosting - Web hosting that supports Active Server Pages, a server-side scripting environment from Microsoft.

autoresponder - a program that sends an automatic form response to incoming emails.

B2B - business that sells products or provides services to other businesses.

B2C - business that sells products or provides services to end-user consumers.

bandwidth - how much data can be transmitted in a time period over a communications channel, often expressed in kilobits per second (kbps).

banner ad - a graphical web advertising unit, typically measuring 468 pixels wide and 60 pixels tall (i.e. 468x60).

banner blindness - the tendency of web visitors to ignore banner ads, even when banners contain information visitors are actively looking for.

beyond the banner - online advertising not involving standard GIF and JPEG banner ads.

blog - A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.

bookmark - a link stored in a Web browser for future reference.

burstable bandwidth - a hosting option that allows sites to use the available network capacity to handle periods of peak usage.

business hosting - Web hosting geared towards the mission-critical functions demanded by business-class customers.

button ad - a graphical advertising unit, smaller than a banner ad.

buzzword - a trendy word or phrase that is used more to impress than explain.

caching - the storage of Web files for later re-use at a point more quickly accessed by the end user.

cascading style sheets (CSS) - a data format used to separate style from structure on Web pages.

click-through - the process of clicking through an online advertisement to the advertiser's destination.

click-through rate (CTR) - The average number of click-throughs per hundred ad impressions, expressed as a percentage.

ColdFusion hosting - Web hosting that supports ColdFusion, a web application language introduced by Allaire and currently owned by Macromedia.

colocated hosting - hosting option whereby the host provides and is responsible for the equipment, dedicating an entire server to the client's websites.

conversion rate - the percentage of visitors who take a desired action.

cookie - information stored on a user's computer by a Web site so preferences are remembered on future requests.

cost-per-action (CPA) - online advertising payment model in which payment is based solely on qualifying actions such as sales or registrations.

cost-per-click (CPC) - the cost or cost-equivalent paid per click-through.

CPM - cost per thousand impressions.

customer acquisition cost - the cost associated with acquiring a new customer.

data transfer - The total amount of outbound traffic from a website*, typically measured in gigabytes (Gb).

dedicated hosting - hosting option whereby the host provides and is responsible for the equipment, dedicating an entire server to the client's websites.

dedicated IP - an IP address dedicated to a single website.

deep linking - linking to a web page other than a site's home page.

description tag - an HTML tag used by Web page authors to provide a description for search engine listings.

disintermediation - the elimination of intermediaries in the supply chain, also referred to as "cutting out the middlemen."

domain name - location of an entity on the Internet.

doorway domain - a domain used specifically to rank well in search engines for particular keywords, serving as an entry point through which visitors pass to the main domain.

doorway page - a page made specifically to rank well in search engines for particular keywords, serving as an entry point through which visitors pass to the main content.

email - the transmission of computer-based messages over telecommunication technology.

email marketing - the promotion of products or services via email.

email spam - unwanted, unsolicited email.

exclusivity - contract term in which one party grants another party sole rights with regard to a particular business function.

ezine - an electronic magazine, whether delivered via a Web site or an email newsletter.

ezine directory - directory of electronic magazines, typically of the email variety.

favicon - a small icon that is used by some browsers to identify a bookmarked Web site.

FFA - free-for-all links list, where there are no qualifications for adding a link.

first-mover advantage - a sometimes insurmountable advantage gained by the first significant company to move into a new market.

Flash - multimedia technology developed by Macromedia to allow much interactivity to fit in a relatively small file size.

forum - an online community where visitors may read and post topics of common interest.

frames - a structure that allows for the dividing of a Web page into two or more independent parts.

free - without monetary cost.

frequency cap - restriction on the amount of times a specific visitor is shown a particular advertisement.

guerilla marketing - unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources.

hit - request of a file from a Web server.

home page - the main page of a Web site.

house ad - self-promotional ad a company runs on its media outlets to put unsold inventory to use.

HTML banner - a banner ad using HTML elements, often including interactive forms, instead of (or in addition to) standard graphical elements.

HTML email - email that is formatted using Hypertext Markup Language, as opposed to plain text email.

hybrid model - a combination of two or more online marketing payment models.

impression - a single instance of an online advertisement being displayed.*Impression data may or may not be accurate at times due to things such as someone hitting the Back button on their browser causing multiple impressions, although they will be to the same user on the same session. Also, a search engine may or may not recognize the multiple impressions due to things such as cookies, or the last webpage being saved in order to make browsing faster (the previous page will not need to re-load, it will simply put the saved page back up).

inbound link - a link from a site outside of your site.

incentivized traffic - visitors who have received some form of compensation for visiting a site.

interactive agency - an agency offering a mix of Web design/development, Internet advertising/marketing, or E-Business/E-Commerce consulting.

interstitial - an advertisement that loads between two content pages.

invisible Web - the portion of the Web not accessible through Web search engines.

JavaScript - a scripting language developed by Netscape and used to create interactive Web sites.

keyword - a word used in a performing a search.

keyword density - keywords as a percentage of indexable text words.

keyword marketing - putting your message in front of people who are searching using particular keywords and keyphrases.

keyword research - the search for keywords related to your Web site, and the analysis of which ones yield the highest return on investment (ROI).

keywords tag - META tag used to help define the primary keywords of a Web page.

link checker - tool used to check for broken hyperlinks.

link popularity - a measure of the quantity and quality of sites that link to your site.

link text - the text contained in (and sometimes near) a hyperlink.

linkrot - when Web pages previously accessible at a particular URL are no longer reachable at that URL due to movement or deletion of the pages.

log file - file that records the activity on a Web server.

long domain name - domain names longer than the original 26 characters, up to a theoretical limit of 67 characters (including the extension, such as .com).

manual submission - adding a URL to the search engines individually by hand.

marketing - the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.

marketing plan - the part of the business plan outlining the marketing strategy for a product or service.

meta tag generator - tool that will output META tags based on input page information.

meta tags - tags to describe various aspects about a Web page.

moderator - at a forum, someone entrusted by the administrator to help discussions stay productive and within the guidelines.

mousetrapping - the use of browser tricks in an effort to keep a visitor captive at a site, often by disabling the "Back" button or generated repeated pop-up windows.

navigation - that which facilitates movement from one Web page to another Web page.

netiquette - short for network etiquette, the code of conduct regarding acceptable online behavior.

network effect - the phenomenon whereby a service becomes more valuable as more people use it, thereby encouraging ever-increasing numbers of adopters.

opt-in email - email that is explicitly requested by the recipient.

opt-out - (1) type of program that assumes inclusion unless stated otherwise. (2) to remove oneself from an opt-out program.

outbound link - a link to a site outside of your site.

page view - request to load a single HTML page.

pagejacking - theft of a page from the original site and publication of a copy (or near-copy) at another site.

pass-along rate - the percentage of people who pass on a message or file.

pay per click (PPC) - online advertising payment model in which payment is based solely on qualifying click-thrus.

pay per click search engine - search engine where results are ranked according to the bid amount, and advertisers are charged when a searcher clicks on the search listing.

pay per lead (PPL) - online advertising payment model in which payment is based solely based on qualifying leads.

pay per sale (PPS) - online advertising payment model in which payment is based solely based on qualifying sales.

payment threshold - the minimum accumulated commission an affiliate must earn to trigger payment from an affiliate program.

permission marketing - marketing centered around obtaining customer consent to receive information from a company.

pop-under ad - an ad that displays in a new browser window behind the current browser window.

pop-up ad - an ad that displays in a new browser window.

rate card - document detailing prices for various ad placement options.

reciprocal links - links between two sites, often based on an agreement by the site owners to exchange links.

rectangle ad - any one of the large, rectangular banner sizes suggested by the IAB.

rep firm - ad sales partner specializing primarily in single-site sales.

return days - the number of days an affiliate can earn commission on a conversion (sale or lead) by a referred visitor.

rich media - new media that offers an enhanced experience relative to older, mainstream formats.

run-of-network (RON) - ad buying option in which ad placements may appear on any pages on sites within an ad network.

run-of-site (ROS) - ad buying option in which ad placements may appear on any pages on sites within an ad network.

search engine optimization - the process of choosing targeted keyword phrases related to a site, and ensuring that the site places well when those keyword phrases are part of a Web search.

search engine spam - excessive manipulation to influence search engine rankings, often for pages which contain little or no relevant content.

search engine submission - the act of supplying a URL to a search engine in an attempt to make a search engine aware of a site or page.

search spy - a perpetually refreshing page that provides a real-time view of actual Web searches.

self-serve advertising - advertising that can be purchased without the assistance of a sales representative.

shopping cart - software used to make a site's product catalogue available for online ordering, whereby visitors may select, view, add/delete, and purchase merchandise.

sig file - a short block of text at the end of a message identifying the sender and providing additional information about them.

site search - search functionality specific to one site.

site stickiness - the amount of time spent at a site over a given time period.

skyscraper ad - an online ad significantly taller than the 120x240 vertical banner.

spam - inappropriate commercial message of extremely low value.

splash page - a branding page before the home page of a Web site.

sponsorship - advertising that seeks to establish a deeper association and integration between an advertiser and a publisher, often involving coordinated beyond-the-banner placements.

super affiliate - an affiliate capable of generating a significant percentage of an affiliate program's activity.

surround session - advertising sequence in which a visitor receives ads from one advertiser throughout an entire site visit.

text ad - advertisement using text-based hyperlinks.

title tag - HTML tag used to define the text in the top line of a Web browser, also used by many search engines as the title of search listings.

top 10 - the top ten search engine results for a particular search term.

trick banner - a banner ad that attempts to trick people into clicking, often by imitating an operating system message.

two-tier affiliate program - affiliate program structure whereby affiliates earn commissions on their conversions as well as conversions of webmasters they refer to the program.

underdelivery - delivery of less impressions, visitors, or conversions than contracted for a specified period of time.

unique visitors - individuals who have visited a Web site (or network) at least once in a fixed time frame, typically a 30 day period.

URL - location of a resource on the Internet.

vertical banner - a banner ad measuring 120 pixels wide and 240 pixels tall.

viral marketing - marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing message.

volunteer directory - a Web directory staffed primarily by unpaid volunteer editors.

Web browser - a software application that allows for the browsing of the World Wide Web.

Web design - the selection and coordination of available components to create the layout and structure of a Web page.

web hosting - the business of providing the storage, connectivity, and services necessary to serve files for a website.

Web site traffic - the amount of visitors and visits a Web site receives.

Web site usability - The ease with which visitors are able to use a Web site.

whois - a utility that returns ownership information about second-level domains.