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Home » How to Layout Your Web Pages
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How to Layout Your Web Pages** SiteBuilderNews - 4/04/2002 Issue ** Helping You Build A Better Website ================================================================= In This Issue of SiteBuilderNews: => 1. Editor's Note => 2. Article: How to Layout Your Web Pages => 3. Site Builder Tip => 4. Sites for Site Builders => 5. Site Builder News ================================================================= SPONSOR AD: ================================================================= iPowerWeb: Affordable, Reliable eBusiness Solutions * 150MB Web Space * Unlimited Transfer & E-Mails * 25 POP E-Mail Accounts * Stats * CGI, PHP, SSI, * Frontpage, SSL, * Manager Console, Free Domain! -> Unconditional 30 Day Money Back Guarantee <- http://www.qksrv.net/click-915369-1200210 ================================================================= 1. Editor's Note ================================================================= Hello SiteBuilders, Every once in a while we all have to get back to basics and examine the sites we're creating. This week's article talks about the layout of your webpages - the important things to remember when creating your design. -- Dan Grossman edi-@sitebuildernews.com ================================================================= ================================================================= Upgrade to receive HTML version of SiteBuilderNews! Subscribe for free at mailto:sitebuildernews-@topica.com ================================================================= 2. Feature Article: ================================================================= How to Layout Your Web Pages By Herman Drost Searching for the right information on a web page can be a very frustrating experience. Have you ever encountered web pages that are so cluttered with information and graphics, that you leave, totally exasperated? The same situation applies if you have a web site designed with animated graphics, pop ups, revolving text etc. It may dazzle your visitors, but if it takes more than 10 secs to load, you will lose them. (see: "How to Calculate and Speed-Up the Download Time of Your Web Site" - www.isitebuild.com/calculate.htm). Start With a Simple Plan - to design a good web site you must start with a good plan. Create a list of all the information and graphics you want to include on the site. To see how to sketch out your site, see my previous article: "How to Build A Web Site That Sells" - www.isitebuild.com/buildingA.htm Factors That Effect Web Page Layout. 1. Screen Resolution - Most Internet users these days use a 15-17 inch monitor. Therefore, use a screen resolution of 800x600 pixels when designing your web page. Some still use 13-inch monitors and many have large monitors over 17 inches. The way around this is to use percentages when designing your web page. The web page will then resize to the particular resolution the visitor is using. For the designer, this takes more work than using a fixed width for your pages. If you want to design your pages with a fixed length, then it's best to use a resolution of 800x600 pixels. 2. Contrast - strike a good balance between graphics and text. It is easy to have too much text on your site (unless it is a book or an article). Visitors usually scan web pages so make sure you use short sentences, small paragraphs and it contains small headings (see: www.isitebuild.com/copy.htm). Too many graphics on your web page may create too much clutter. It also slows the loading time of your site. Only use graphics to emphasize the points you are trying to make. Remember, a graphic can also distract people from the message you are trying to convey. 3. Color - Have you ever gone to a site where there is a dark background and dark text? You can hardly read it. Try to stick to a light background with dark colored text. For example, a white background with black text is still the easiest to read. Beware of using a dark textured background. The text will become unreadable. The color should not distract your reader from the main points of your site. 4. White Space - this is the space between the elements on a web page. If there is none or too little white space, your web page will appear disorganized. Try to make the page look clean, simple, easy to read and navigate. 5. Navigation - the key to good navigation of your site, is for your visitor to find the information quickly and easily. It must be clear and simple. If the presentation and organization of the content is vague, the visitor will get lost, frustrated and move on to another site. The home page is usually the web page that contains all the initial navigation to your web site. However, planning your homepage is only a small fraction of your job when designing your navigation. The deeper you can plan your site's structure and navigation, the more successful your site's navigation will be. With clear, clean, simple and attractive layout of your web pages, information is easily retrievable. Your visitor will have an enjoyable experience and wish to return. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Herman Drost is a Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) owner and author of iSiteBuild.com Free Consultation for Site Design Hosting from $30/year (http://www.isitebuild.com) Subscribe to the "Marketing Tips" newsletter for more original articles. mailto: subsc-@isitebuild.com ================================================================= Reach thousands of subscribers! For ad details and prices, email: mailto:edi-@sitebuildernews.com?subject=ad_inquiry ================================================================= 3. Site Builder Tip ================================================================= This Week's Tip: Less Stress = Better Web Site I'm going to give you the same challenge that I am giving myself... Try taking it easy on yourself. Evaluate who you are, where you are going, and what your goals are for your future. Watch children play, smell those flowers, and, by all means, don't let your fears end your web site dreams before they have taken flight. So, enjoy this week and the opportunities that you have had, the memories you have created, and those cyberspace dreams yet to come, and... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Deborah Anderson, of AndersonCreations.com, teaches web design and internet marketing in addition to publishing Webmaster Tips Weekly. Subscribe free by sending a blank email to mailto:subsc-@webmaster-tips-weekly.com http://webmaster-tips-weekly.com/webtips ================================================================= 4. Sites for Site Builders ================================================================= ScriptJobs - Bringing Webmasters & Programmers Together It's like getting an estimate from dozens of qualified professionals and then choosing the one you like most. You save time because you don't need to shop around, and you save money because programmers are competing for your business! You will find professionals here for the following programming languages: Perl CGI PHP ASP XML Java Javascript C/C++ Flash Python and Cold Fusion. As well as expertise in database systems, such as MySQL and Oracle. Check it out at... http://www.scriptjobs.com/ ================================================================= 5. Site Builder News ================================================================= New Java tools for Web services are unveiled at the JavaOne http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35263203&e=6592 RackShack Selects Compaq Servers For Linux-Based Web Hosting http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35249372&e=6592 directNIC.com Announces SiteCreator, Website Creation Tools http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35249329&e=6592 eBay Selects Intel Online Services For Web Hosting Facilities http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35229348&e=6592 The Internet Roundtable: How Can I Optimize My Law Firm Web Site http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35175011&e=6592 Senate’s website rules hurt lawmakers seeking reelection http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35163880&e=6592 Oracle has high hopes for Web hosting http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?e35144194&e=6592 ================================================================= ================================================================= Do you know someone who has a website or would like to create one? Forward them a copy of this eZine and urge them to subscribe! To subscribe send a blank email to: mailto:sitebuilderne-@topica.com ================================================================= ================================================================= Send suggestions and comments to: edi-@SiteBuilderNews.com Reach thousands of subscribers! For ad details and prices, visit our media kit at http://www.sitebuildernews.com/advertise.php SiteBuilderNews is © 2000-2001 Dan Grossman. All Rights Reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. All guest articles are copyright their respective owners and are reproduced with permission. |
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