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A web page may
seem like a puzzle, but keeping the
layout simple and conventional will help
your visitors finding what they need.
This article provides free, simple, and
comprehensive information, hints, tips,
and tools that will allow you to create
a successful website.
Here is an
example of a common layout that works well for
most websites. |
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A web
page may seem like a puzzle, but
keeping the layout simple and
conventional will help your visitors
finding what they need. Here is an
example of a simple and conventional
layout that works well for most
websites.
You may
be tempted to be more creative and
unique, but keep in mind that web
surfers will thank you for
conforming by coming back to your
website. To stand out, plan to use
creative and unique colors and
graphics instead. See examples of
particularly
well designed websites. |
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Header - Common identifier area (1) |
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Every page of your website must let the
visitors know that they are at your website. Here
you may decide to feature your logo, banner,
business name, or other graphic. Pay attention to
the height of this area; if it is too tall, your
content will be begin too low on the screen. |
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The navigation bar helps
visitors finding their way through your
website. Side navigation bars support an
unlimited number of items while horizontal
navigation bars leave more width for the
content of your web pages. If practical, I
always recommend the use of a horizontal
navigation bar. Larger websites may need
multiple navigation bars.
Web surfers are not very patient and will
quickly leave your website if they do not
find what they are looking for. Think your
navigation system thoroughly to make it
simple, efficient, and to minimize the
number of clicks required to navigate
through your website.
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Main content area - Content is king (3) |
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The main
content area is what your visitors
actually come to see. A useful and
content rich website will convince your
visitors about the seriousness of your
business and will invite them to return
to your website. Plan ahead and don't
make your content an after fact simply
to fill up empty spaces. Work and rework
the text of your web pages, especially
your home page.
Be aware that readers are uncomfortable
with extremely short or extremely long
lines so plan to use a two or three
column layout, a bit like on a
newspaper. Short paragraphs like on this
page work well too. |
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Secondary content area - Flasher (4) |
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A secondary content area is sometimes used
for advertising or for highlighting some content
that needs to be more visible. If you don't need it,
leave this space for your main content.
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Bottom Footer - Common notes area (5) |
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must let the visitors know some key
information about your website and who
to contact in case of a question or
problem. This area is also often used to
repeat some or all of the links found in
the navigation bar. |
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Background and Colors |
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The newspaper industry figured out a long
time ago that black letters on white paper are easy
to read. Other dark font & light background color
combinations work well but are a bit more risky.
Light font & dark background color combinations
often look strange. Do you want your website to look
strange?
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Pictures, logos, and artwork |
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Find pictures, logos, and artwork for your
web pages. Save time and money by scanning printed
documents you might already have. Use a digital
camera and take your own pictures. Many websites
including Microsoft offers great royalty free
pictures.
Large picture and clips take time to download.
Impatient visitors might be tempted to leave your
website if it takes to long to download. Use
judgment and balance.
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Flash technology is sometimes used to
create animations or sounds effects on web pages.
While it can sometimes be cool, some people (like
me) find them extremely annoying and will leave your
website as soon as they start. Flash animations take
time to download and distract your visitors from the
main content of your website. Do you still want to
use flash?
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You worked hard to get a visitor to your
website and the last thing you want is to loose them
through outbound links. Providing non-competitive
related links is great but make sure outbound links
open up a new window so your web pages are still
opened.
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Each web browser can be set differently so
web pages can look differently for different users.
I always recommend a fixed page width of 775 pixels.
Those pages look good for the vast majority of your
visitors and will print well on a regular 8½" X 11"
sheet of paper when the left and right margins are
minimized.
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Reproduction and Copyright |
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This tutorial has been published on
ezinearticles.com and is also available on
PDF. Downloading, copying, or reusing the
article is allowed but not its modification in all
or in parts. Please
contact the author for any comment or question. |
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