Technologies forge ahead and not everyone catches up with them. New inventions and notions lead to new words creation confusing newbies. Do you have troubles with some terms that refer to fast-developing e-Commerce world? We have made a list of words that each online merchant need to know making your business start easier. Understanding these foundational terms is crucial for navigating the digital commerce landscape, as detailed in our roadmap for successful e-commerce re-platforming. Learn how to prepare your store for a smooth transition with our preparation guide.
API
An abbreviation of application program interface, is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. The API specifies how software components should interact and are used when programming graphical user interface components. A good application program interface makes it easier to develop a program.
Back end
It deals with databases and data processing components, so the purpose of the back-end system is to launch the operating system's programs in response to front-end system requests and operations. In other words, the back-end system implements responses to what the front end has initiated.
Back up
It means to copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape) as a precaution in case the first medium fails. One of the cardinal rules in using computers is back up your files regularly. For peace of mind during major changes, consider our migration insurance options.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. For digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per second. For analog devices, the bandwidth is expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
Cache
A component that transparently stores data so that future requests for that one can be served faster. The information that is stored within a cache might be values that have been computed earlier or duplicates of original values that are stored elsewhere. After migration, you might need to clear cache on your new store.
File Transfer Protocol
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a protocol used on the internet in order to transfer files. It was a popular means of making files available over the internet, either via public or private FTP sites, before the advent of the web. Site developers now use FTP to upload / download files to the server when making changes / additions to web pages. For more advanced setup, you might need to create FTP access with cPanel.
Firewall
A piece of software or hardware designed to serve as a barrier to exclude outside intruders, typically those on the internet, access to internal content. Companies often adopt firewalls in order to keep their internal communications private. If you encounter issues, ensure your firewall isn't causing IP blocking.
Front end
It is the same as user interface, the junction between a user and a computer program. Front end is a set of commands or menus through which a user communicates with a program.
SEO
Search engine optimization is a methodology of strategies, techniques and tactics used to increase the amount of visitors to a website by obtaining a high-ranking placement in the search results page of a search engine including Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines. Effective SEO involves more than just keywords; it also includes technical aspects like site structure and URL optimization.
SEO helps to ensure that a site is accessible to a search engine and improves the chances that the site will be found by the search engine. It's crucial to manage redirects after migration to preserve SEO.
XML
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is used to enable the sharing of data across different sites on the web. A popular use of XML is RSS, used to subscribe to news feeds and blogs. XML is a means of describing data, in a customizable fashion, in order to apply a structure to the data that is necessary for the export.
That’s it for today! Hope it was a useful contribution to your word stock and e-Commerce knowledge. However, if you already have online business, but want to perform some changes, don’t miss a possibility to get a new store using migration with Cart2Cart.
Monthly Update – January 2026
As we step into January 2026, a key trend shaping the e-commerce landscape is the increasing adoption of headless commerce architectures. This approach decouples the front-end presentation layer (what customers see and interact with) from the back-end commerce functionality (like product information, pricing, and checkout processes). By using robust APIs to connect these layers, businesses gain unparalleled flexibility to deliver unique, highly customized customer experiences across various touchpoints—be it websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, or even smart displays—without being constrained by a monolithic platform. This architectural agility allows for faster innovation, easier integration of new technologies, and a more robust performance, which is critical for scaling operations and meeting diverse customer demands. For merchants looking to future-proof their online stores and provide seamless, omnichannel experiences, understanding and potentially transitioning to a headless model is becoming a strategic imperative. It offers a powerful way to enhance user engagement, optimize site speed, and drive conversions in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace, empowering brands to rapidly adapt to evolving consumer behaviors and technological advancements.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
