The Basics of Web Layout - Speed Is King (Wendy Moyer)
Jul 15, 2009
If you're designing your website yourself or outsourcing it to a web design firm, it would be a good idea to begin by considering the basics of web layout and sketch out your ideas on a clean sheet of paper. Because graphics, the amount of text you use, as well as your choice of colors contribute to the time it takes for your pages to load, you should carefully consider them all before laying out your site.
Your layout will determine not only how your website will look but also how it will act once it's completed. If you learn the basics of web layout and design you will know how to build a terrific web page. An overriding factor is that your layout should be neat and simple.
The most important element of your web pages is the text. The font size should be relatively large and easily readable.
Although it may be tempting to add a lot of graphics and images it can be a hindrance when it comes to the amount of time it takes for your page to download. Remember that there are still some people using a dial up Internet connection. If you have a lot of graphics they may click off your page before it even fully loads because it is taking so much time.
On average visitors wait for seven seconds or less for a web page to open. If it takes longer most people move on to another faster loading website.
One of the most common layout errors you can make is to just slap images onto a web page without giving much thought to how your visitors will experience the page. Before publishing any webpage try to take a look at it through a stranger's eyes. Is it simple and to the point or messy, cluttered and rambling? Which do you prefer?
I presume you like clean and simple. If you like clean and simple, why would you think your visitors would like something messy?
The basics of web layout demand that your content - your words - are readable and not boring. You can use a dominant visual element to give your design a focal point. That's where your most important information should be. People's eyes should be immediately attracted to that image.
Although centered text was popular years ago, is difficult to read. So avoid centering your text if you can.
And, when you integrate images into your layout, consider aligning them with the text. Images are much more attractive and eye catching when they're aligned rather than when they're scattered seemingly haphazardly around the page.
And finally, try to keep the amount of text and images balanced. Make sure that it's not only pleasing to the eye, but that it imparts the information you want your visitors to acquire.
About the AuthorNext, learn more about the basics of web layout from San Jose Web Site Design at http://San-Jose-Webdesign.com/website-redesign.php
Wendy Moyer is a professional writer..