When you’re starting a business online, it can feel like people are speaking another language with all the various online business terms people. Tripwire? Landing page? Nurture sequence?
If you’ve ever nodded along in a conversation while secretly thinking, “What on earth are they talking about?” – you’re not alone!
That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate beginner-friendly glossary of online business terms to help you cut through the all jargon and acronyms and feel more confident in your business. Whether you’re launching your first digital product, building your email list, or setting up sales funnels, these are some of the terms you need to know.
Let’s dive in!
The Ultimate Glossary of Online Business Terms for Beginners
Affiliate Marketing
Earning a commission by promoting someone else’s product or service using a unique referral link.
Audience
The group of people you want to attract to your business – your ideal customers. This can be your email list or your social media followers.
Automation
Using tools and software to complete tasks automatically, like scheduling emails or social media posts.
Backend (of a Business)
The behind – the – scenes systems and processes that keep your business running, like email marketing, payment processing, and customer management.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of website visitors who leave without taking any action, like clicking a link or signing up. i.e if you come on this blog, read it and click off without visiting any other pages on the website.
Call to Action (CTA)
A prompt telling your audience what to do next – like “Download now,” “Sign up today,” or “Buy now.”
Cold Lead
Someone who has had no prior interaction with your business and doesn’t know you yet.
Conversion
When someone takes the action you want them to – like signing up for a freebie or making a purchase.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
A tool that helps you manage and track interactions with potential and existing customers. Some of these include Mailerlite, Go High Level, Kartra, Kajabi.
Customer Journey
The path someone takes from discovering your business to becoming a paying customer.
Digital Course
An online training program that teaches a specific topic, often delivered via video, PDFs, or live sessions.
Digital Product
Any product that can be delivered online, such as an ebook, template, or course.
Downsell
A lower-priced offer presented to a potential customer who decides not to purchase a higher-ticket product. It’s a way to keep them in your world and still provide value at a price point they’re comfortable with.
Drip Content
Content that is released gradually over time, instead of all at once, like a course that unlocks a new module each week.
Evergreen
Content, funnels, or offers that run continuously without needing updates or live involvement and make sales.
Evergreen Funnel
A sales process that runs automatically and continuously, rather than being tied to a live launch.
Freebie (aka Lead Magnet)
A free resource you offer in exchange for someone’s email address – like a checklist, guide, or webinar.
Funnels (aka Sales Funnel or Marketing Funnel)
A step-by-step process that guides potential customers from discovering your business to making a purchase.
Hosting
Where your website or course platform is stored and accessed online.
Hot Lead
Someone who is highly interested in your offer and close to making a purchase.
Ideal Client (aka Ideal Customer Avatar – ICA)
The person who would benefit most from your product or service and is most likely to buy from you.
Integration
Connecting different tools and platforms so they work together, like linking your email list to your checkout system.
Keyword
A specific word or phrase that helps people find your content via search engines.
Landing Page (Also called an Opt in Page)
A standalone webpage designed to encourage one specific action, like signing up for a freebie or buying a product.
Lead
A potential customer who has shown interest in your business, often by signing up for something.
Lead Magnet
A freebie designed to attract potential customers and grow your email list.
List Building
The process of growing your email list with potential customers.
Membership Site
A private area on your website where members pay to access exclusive content, training, or community.
Nurture Sequence
A series of emails sent after someone signs up for your list, designed to build trust and lead them toward buying.
Offer
A product or service you sell, including everything that makes it valuable – like bonuses, pricing, and support.
Opt-in Page
A simple page where someone enters their details (usually name and email) to receive a freebie.
Passive Income
Earnings that come in with minimal ongoing effort after the initial setup, like digital products or membership sites.
Product Suite
A collection of different offers that serve your audience at various levels, like freebies, low-cost products, and premium services.
Repurposing Content
Taking existing content and using it in a new way, like turning a blog post into a carousel post or podcast episode.
ROI (Return on Investment)
A measure of how profitable an investment is, like how much revenue you earn from a marketing campaign.
Sales Page
A detailed page that explains and sells a product or service, usually including testimonials, FAQs, and a clear CTA.
Scarcity
A marketing strategy that creates urgency by limiting the availability of an offer, like “Only 5 spots left!”
Social Proof
Evidence that other people like and trust your product or service, like testimonials or case studies.
Subscription Model
A business model where customers pay regularly (monthly or yearly) for ongoing access to content or services. Like Netflix.
Tripwire
A low – cost, irresistible offer presented immediately after someone signs up for a freebie. The goal is to turn a freebie – seeker into a paying customer quickly.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
Content created by your audience, customers, or followers that features your brand, product, or services. This can include social media posts, reviews, testimonials, or even videos made by real people – not businesses.
Upsell
An additional offer made after someone makes a purchase, usually a more premium version or related product.
Waitlist
A list of people who express interest in an offer before it’s available, often used for launching new products.
Webinar or Masterclass
An online presentation or workshop, often used to educate and sell a product or service.
Welcome Email
The first email someone receives when they join your list, usually delivering the freebie and setting expectations.
Hopefully this has cleared up some of the online business terms you’ve hear people talk about.
Remember – you don’t have to figure it all out alone! If you’re still feeling stuck, I’m here to help. I’m a great believer in ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’.
Want more simple, no-fluff business and tech tips? Let’s connect! Follow me on Instagram!
Shelly Shulman - Online Business and Tech Expert