Business Software & Marketing terms
112 Business Software & Marketing terms explained in plain English.
- Adobe AcrobatAdobe Acrobat is the full-featured PDF application for creating, editing, merging, securing, and e-signing PDF files.
- Adobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop is a professional raster graphics editor for editing photos, creating digital art, and designing print and web graphics.
- AdTechAdTech is the technology ecosystem behind digital advertising.
- AgriTechAgriTech (agricultural technology) covers digital tools and innovations applied to food and crop production.
- AirtableAirtable is a cloud-based platform that combines the familiar interface of a spreadsheet with the structure and power of a relational database, extended with no-code automations, multiple view types (grid, kanban, calendar, gallery, Gantt), forms, and integration with other applications.
- Applicant Tracking SystemAn Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software platform that manages job postings, candidate applications, interview scheduling, and hiring team collaboration.
- AsanaAsana is a project and work management tool that lets teams create projects, assign tasks, set deadlines, track dependencies, and report on progress.
- Async WorkAsynchronous (async) work refers to collaboration that doesn't require all participants to be present simultaneously.
- Attribution ModelAn attribution model is a set of rules that determines how credit for a conversion (sale, lead, or other desired action) is assigned to the marketing touchpoints that a customer interacted with on their path to purchase.
- BacklinkA backlink (also called an inbound link or incoming link) is a hyperlink on one website that points to another website.
- Bounce RateBounce rate is a web analytics metric that measures the percentage of sessions in which a user visited only a single page on your website before leaving without interacting further.
- Canonical URLA canonical URL is the URL that a website declares as the primary, preferred version of a web page when the same (or very similar) content exists at multiple URLs.
- CanvaCanva is an online design platform that makes professional graphic design accessible to people without design training.
- Click-Through RateClick-through rate (CTR) is a metric that measures what percentage of people who see a link, ad, or email actually click it.
- Collaboration Tool (Slack, Teams, etc.)Collaboration tools are software platforms that help teams communicate, share files, and work together in one place.
- Comment and Suggest ModeComment and suggest mode (called 'suggesting mode' in Google Docs and 'track changes' in Microsoft Word) allows document reviewers to propose edits and leave contextual notes without making permanent changes to the document.
- ConfluenceConfluence is a collaborative documentation and wiki tool from Atlassian, designed for teams to create, organize, and search internal knowledge.
- Conversion Rate OptimizationConversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is the systematic process of increasing the percentage of website or app visitors who take a desired action (a 'conversion'): such as making a purchase, completing a form, signing up for a trial, or calling a phone number.
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management)CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management.
- Customer Data PlatformA Customer Data Platform (CDP) is a marketing technology system that collects and unifies customer data from all touchpoints (website, app, CRM, email, in-store, call centre) into a single persistent customer profile.
- Digital TransformationDigital transformation means using technology to fundamentally change how a business works.
- Digital WhiteboardA digital whiteboard is a shared online visual canvas where teams can collaborate on sticky notes, diagrams, mind maps, flowcharts, sketches, and structured frameworks in real time or asynchronously.
- Disaster RecoveryDisaster recovery is a plan that describes how an organization will get its technology systems back up and running after a serious disruption, like a server crash, cyberattack, natural disaster, or power outage.
- Document Management SystemA Document Management System (DMS) is a software platform for storing, organizing, securing, and retrieving digital documents.
- DocuSignDocuSign is an electronic signature platform that allows documents to be sent, signed, and returned digitally without printing or scanning.
- Drip CampaignA drip campaign is a pre-written sequence of emails (or other messages) sent automatically to a contact on a predetermined schedule or triggered by specific actions.
- DropboxDropbox is a cloud storage platform that keeps files synced across all your devices and lets you share them with others.
- EDIElectronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the electronic exchange of business documents between trading partners (purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and inventory reports) in standardized formats (ANSI X12 in North America, EDIFACT internationally).
- EdTechEdTech is the broad category of technology used in education, from learning management systems (LMS) that host online courses, to adaptive learning apps that personalize content based on student performance, to virtual classrooms, e-assessment tools, and school administration software.
- Email Open RateEmail open rate is the percentage of delivered emails that recipients open, calculated as (opens / emails delivered) x 100.
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning.
- ExcelMicrosoft Excel is a spreadsheet application where data lives in a grid of rows and columns.
- Field Service ManagementField Service Management (FSM) software coordinates organizations that send technicians to customer locations: HVAC companies, elevator maintenance firms, telecom installers, medical equipment servicers, and utilities.
- FigmaFigma is a cloud-based design and prototyping tool for creating user interfaces (UI) and user experience (UX) designs for websites and apps.
- First-Party DataFirst-party data is information collected directly from customers and audiences by the company that owns the relationship: through website analytics, CRM records, email subscriptions, purchase history, surveys, loyalty programs, and app usage.
- Focus and Pomodoro ToolsFocus tools and Pomodoro timers are personal productivity applications that help individuals structure their work time to improve concentration and reduce distraction.
- GmailGmail is Google's email platform, launched in 2004 and now one of the most widely used email services in the world.
- Google DocsGoogle Docs is Google's word processing application, accessed entirely through a web browser.
- Google SheetsGoogle Sheets is Google's spreadsheet application, part of Google Workspace and free with any Google account.
- Google WorkspaceGoogle Workspace (formerly G Suite) is Google's subscription platform for business productivity.
- GovTechGovTech (government technology) covers the software, platforms, and digital tools used by government organizations, from federal agencies to municipal governments, to deliver public services, manage internal operations, and engage with citizens.
- Growth MarketingGrowth marketing (also called growth hacking) is a data-driven marketing discipline focused on rapid experimentation across all stages of the customer lifecycle (acquisition, activation, retention, referral, and revenue) to identify and scale the most effective growth levers.
- Help Desk / Service DeskA help desk is a team or system that helps people solve technology problems, like when your laptop will not connect to the printer.
- Hot-Desking and Desk BookingHot-desking is an office space management practice where desks are shared and unassigned: employees choose an available desk each time they come to the office rather than having a permanent assigned workspace.
- HR TechHR Tech (human resources technology) covers all software used to manage employee lifecycle activities: recruiting, applicant tracking, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, performance management, learning and development, and workforce analytics.
- HubSpotHubSpot is a cloud-based platform that bundles CRM, email marketing, sales pipeline management, customer service, and website tools in one product.
- ImpressionsIn digital marketing, an impression is counted each time a piece of content (an ad, search result, social media post, or email) is displayed to a user, regardless of whether the user clicks on it or engages with it.
- InsurTechInsurTech (insurance technology) covers digital tools and platforms that modernize how insurance is sold, underwritten, priced, and administered.
- Integration (System Integration)Integration means connecting different software systems so they can share data and work together automatically.
- Inventory ManagementInventory management covers the systems and processes businesses use to track what stock they have, where it is, and how much they need.
- IT GovernanceIT governance is the set of rules, processes, and structures that ensure an organization's technology decisions support its business goals and manage risk effectively.
- JiraJira is a project tracking and issue management tool built for software development teams.
- Keyword ResearchKeyword research is the process of discovering and analyzing the specific words and phrases people type into search engines when looking for information, products, or services.
- Knowledge Base and WikiA knowledge base (or wiki) is a centralized, searchable repository of documented information (processes, how-to guides, FAQs, policies, onboarding materials, and reference information) intended to be accessed and updated by a team or organization.
- Lead MagnetA lead magnet is a free resource or incentive offered to website visitors in exchange for their contact information (typically an email address).
- Learning Management SystemA Learning Management System (LMS) is a software platform for hosting and delivering training content, managing learner enrolment and completion, and tracking progress.
- LegalTechLegalTech (legal technology) is the broad category of software and tools used to improve legal work.
- Loyalty PlatformA loyalty platform is the software infrastructure behind customer rewards programs.
- MailchimpMailchimp is an email marketing and automation platform used by businesses to send newsletters, promotional emails, and automated email sequences to subscriber lists.
- Marketing AutomationMarketing automation is software that automates repetitive marketing actions at scale based on rules, triggers, and schedules.
- MarTechMarTech is the collective term for the software tools that marketers use, from CRM and email marketing platforms to analytics, content management, advertising platforms, and automation tools.
- Meeting TranscriptionMeeting transcription software automatically records video or audio from virtual meetings (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams) and converts speech to text in real time or after the meeting.
- Meta DescriptionA meta description is an HTML attribute that provides a short summary of a webpage's content.
- Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Office (now Microsoft 365) is the world's most widely used suite of business productivity tools.
- Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft Teams is a communication and collaboration platform built into Microsoft 365.
- MiroMiro is an online visual collaboration platform providing an infinite digital whiteboard for teams to brainstorm, plan, design, and collaborate visually in real time or asynchronously.
- Monday.comMonday.com is a cloud-based work management platform where teams create, track, and manage projects and workflows using flexible, colour-coded boards.
- Net Promoter ScoreNet Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used customer loyalty measurement system developed by Fred Reichheld and Bain & Company in 2003.
- Note-Taking AppA note-taking app is software designed for capturing and organizing information (text notes, voice memos, web clips, images, PDFs, and structured data) across devices.
- NotionNotion is a flexible productivity tool that combines notes, documents, databases, and task management in a single application.
- Out-of-Office Auto-ReplyAn out-of-office (OOO) auto-reply is an automated email message that a person sets up when they will be unavailable to respond to email for an extended period.
- OutlookMicrosoft Outlook is the email, calendar, and contacts application at the centre of Microsoft 365.
- PowerPointMicrosoft PowerPoint is the most widely used presentation tool in the world.
- Practice Management SoftwarePractice management software is specialized business software for professional service firms: medical practices, law firms, accounting firms, dental offices, physiotherapy clinics, and similar professionals.
- Procurement SoftwareProcurement software automates and governs the end-to-end process of purchasing goods and services for a business.
- Programmatic AdvertisingProgrammatic advertising is the automated process of buying digital advertising using software, algorithms, and real-time auctions to target specific audiences across digital properties.
- Project Management SoftwareProject management software is a tool that helps people plan work, assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate with their team.
- Property Management SystemA Property Management System (PMS) is the core operational software for hotels, vacation rentals, and short-term accommodation businesses.
- PropTechPropTech (property technology) is the broad category of technology products and services for the real estate industry.
- QuickBooksQuickBooks is a small business accounting platform by Intuit that handles invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting.
- Real-Time Co-EditingReal-time co-editing (also called collaborative editing or simultaneous editing) is the ability for multiple users to work on the same document, spreadsheet, design, or code file at the same time, with each person's changes instantly visible to all other participants.
- RegTechRegTech (regulatory technology) covers software tools that help financial institutions, corporations, and other regulated entities manage compliance obligations.
- Remote AccessRemote access refers to the ability to connect to and control a computer, network, or application from a different physical location.
- RetargetingRetargeting (also called remarketing) is an advertising strategy that shows targeted ads to users who have previously visited your website, app, or viewed specific content.
- Robots.txtRobots.txt is a text file placed at the root of a website (domain.com/robots.txt) that provides instructions to search engine crawlers about which parts of the site they are permitted to access.
- RPARobotic Process Automation (RPA) is software that mimics how a human interacts with computer applications (clicking buttons, reading screens, copying data between systems, and filling out forms) to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks.
- SaaS (Software as a Service)SaaS stands for Software as a Service.
- Sales PipelineA sales pipeline is a structured visual representation of the stages a prospect moves through from initial contact to closed deal.
- SalesforceSalesforce is a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform that lets businesses track leads, manage accounts, run sales pipelines, automate marketing, and support customers.
- Screen RecordingScreen recording software captures your computer screen (and optionally your webcam and microphone audio) as a video file.
- SERPSERP (Search Engine Results Page) is the page displayed by a search engine in response to a user's query.
- ServiceNowServiceNow is an enterprise cloud platform for automating and managing IT service management (ITSM) workflows: primarily the processes by which IT departments receive, track, and resolve requests and incidents (help desk, change management, asset management).
- Shared CalendarA shared calendar is a calendar that multiple people can view and (with appropriate permissions) edit.
- ShopifyShopify is a subscription-based e-commerce platform for building and running online stores.
- SlackSlack is a business communication platform built around channels: dedicated spaces for teams, projects, or topics.
- Status and Presence IndicatorStatus and presence indicators are visual signals in communication platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, Zoom) that communicate a user's current availability to colleagues.
- Supply Chain VisibilitySupply chain visibility (SCV) refers to the ability for a company to see the real-time status of inventory, orders, and shipments at every point in their supply chain: from raw material suppliers through manufacturing, distribution, and last-mile delivery to the end customer.
- Synchronous WorkSynchronous (sync) work refers to collaboration where participants must be available at the same time: meetings, phone calls, live chat conversations, pair programming, and real-time collaborative sessions.
- Third-Party DataThird-party data is data about consumers collected by companies that don't have a direct relationship with those consumers: data brokers, ad networks, and data aggregators who compile and sell consumer profiles to advertisers.
- Ticketing SystemA ticketing system is software that turns requests or problems into numbered 'tickets' that can be tracked from start to finish.
- Time TrackingTime tracking software records the time spent on tasks, projects, and clients, either through manual entry, running timers, or automatic activity detection.
- Title TagThe title tag is an HTML element (written as <title>) that defines the title of a webpage.
- Tracking PixelA tracking pixel (also called a web beacon or 1x1 pixel) is a small piece of code (often JavaScript, or historically a 1x1 pixel transparent image) embedded in a website page or email that fires when the page loads or the email is opened.
- TrelloTrello organizes work into boards, each containing lists (columns) and cards (tasks).
- UTM ParametersUTM parameters (Urchin Tracking Module parameters) are tags appended to a URL that tell analytics platforms where a visitor came from.
- Version HistoryVersion history (also called document history, revision history, or change log) is an automatic record maintained by document and file platforms that captures every saved state of a document over time.
- Viral CoefficientViral coefficient (also called K-factor) is a metric that measures how many new users each existing user brings to a product through invitations, referrals, or organic sharing.
- Warehouse Management SystemA Warehouse Management System (WMS) is software that directs and tracks every physical movement within a warehouse or distribution centre.
- WordMicrosoft Word is a word processing application for creating and editing text documents.
- Workflow AutomationWorkflow automation means setting up software to do repetitive tasks for you automatically, based on rules you define.
- ZapierZapier is a workflow automation platform that connects over 7,000 apps without requiring any code.
- ZoomZoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service that lets people join meetings from a computer, phone, or meeting room system.