So, A is for….

Introducing… the NBV definition series. This sequence of blogs is designed to demystify some of the terms used across the branding, design and digital marketing process for the less technical among us. 

As we work through our analytical journey of the alphabet, we will be identifying key trends, commenting on new technologies and highlighting new design techniques.

1. Ajax (or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML!)

Ajax is a core methodology not a programming language. It combines multiple web development techniques (JavaScript, XML etc) in order to create an engine which, to the user appears more like a desktop application. The application can send and retrieve data from the server asynchronously (behind the scenes/in the background), therefore updating the page without refreshing it.

In real terms this means that, it is now possible to interact with content in a much more dynamic way than was previously possible with more brochure-led sites.

2. Algorithm

Also commonly referenced in mathematics, an algorithm is way of solving a problem. It is a formula or set of rules using a finite number of steps, for finding the best possible solution.

An algorithm can be in any language – English, French, C++, C#, Java, the list is endless!

3. Analytics

Analytics is a way to analyse the performance of your website. It is a way of collecting internet data, measuring it, analysing it and ultimately reporting back on the findings. The purpose is to understand trends in order to optimise web usage by your customer base.

Web analytics is often seen as a form of customer research, a way to understand the actions of the website’s users as well as a means to improve the effectiveness of the website as a wider marketing tool.

The most commonly used, and openly available tool is Google Analytics, though there are a numerous more focused analytical tools emerging. Indeed exciting advancements in semantics means that using this data is about to become really clever! Watch this space as our developers are working on an exciting analytics package for Decibel to launch later this year.

Got any more ideas? Please feel free to share them and we will add them in!