An interactive simulation of a product used to test concepts, gather feedback, and demonstrate functionality before full development. Prototypes range from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity interactive mockups. In Framer, prototypes become production sites—there's no separate prototype stage to recreate.

The process of making website changes live and accessible on the internet. Publishing deploys your work to production servers where visitors can access it. Framer's instant publishing makes changes live immediately when you click publish.

A digital certificate enabling HTTPS encryption that protects data transmitted between browsers and servers. SSL certificates are now essential for security, user trust, and SEO rankings. Framer provides free SSL certificates automatically for all hosted sites. See Do I need to set up SSL for a custom domain?.

Domain Name System—the internet’s phone book that translates human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses computers use. DNS propagation can take 24-48 hours when pointing a domain to new hosting, though it often completes much faster. Proper DNS configuration is essential for connecting custom domains to your Framer site.

The human-readable address of a website that users type in browsers, translating to numerical IP addresses behind the scenes. Choose domain names that are memorable, brandable, and relevant to your content. Shorter domains are generally easier to remember and type correctly.

A registrar is the company that manages domain registration, renewals, and DNS control for your domain name. Choose a reliable registrar with clear pricing, DNS tooling, and strong support. Common options include Namecheap, Cloudflare Registrar, and Squarespace Domains. See Is Framer a domain registrar?.