Welcome to the Web - Rocketface(R) Workshop Webmaster's Tutorial - "How to Design a Website"

Designing Web Pages
By: Gene DeFazzio

The home page

So what do you want on this most important first screen? You naturally want the title of your website and you want to let visitors know what the content is as briefly as possible. Use short phrases and short paragraphs. You also want to provide links to the main sections of your site (making sure to include text links).
See: Website Basic Layout

Set the theme

In addition, you are setting the tone/theme of your site with this first page. . . what visitors will expect to see carried out on every page within the site. This is also true of the navigation system you use.
See: Website Theme

Organize the page layouts

You want to use contrast to guide the eye around your pages. And, to be effective, the contrast must be bold. Also, any good web page design must have a focal point. Something on the page must be the dominant eye catcher. If everything has the same level of importance, then nothing is important. Group items and information that belongs together using white space so that the eye knows they are together.
See: Webpage Layout

Alignment

The alignment of elements on the page - both vertically and horizontally - is also very important. Choose one alignment and stick with it. That doesn't mean you have to align everything similarly, it means things should be aligned the same on the page.
See: Balanced Webpage

Webpage content

A webpage should not overwhelm the visitor with unnecessary animations, flash novelties or music. All these things can detract from the content of your page. If you want to present these things, do it on another page where you can isolate the full affect from other elements of the website or use them sparingly. Use white space to lead the eye around the page.
See: Website Content

Rules of thumb

In order for visitors to understand your site you need to follow a few more rules of thumb:

Explain everything clearly and briefly

Make sure you present information in a logical order

Use plain language

Main sections

It is best to keep your main website sections to no more than five - seven divisions. As the visitor moves farther into your website you can begin to add more pages and detail. A website can be compared to a triangle. The index page forms the tip of the pyramid followed by the main sections, subsections and pages of increased content. Let your visitors decide where they want to go, starting with brief introductions and leading into more detail as they proceed through the site.

Now let's recap the main points:

Balance the web page for a more pleasing experience for the visitor
Have a clearly defined focal point on your page
Make good use of the hot spots on the page for your title and links.
See: webpage_hotspots
Keep your text brief and to the point
Use only one style of alignment and be consistent throughout the website.

Summary

Treat each page of your website as though it were the only page on your site. Put as much care into the designing of each individual page as you would your homepage.

Using a good website template will help you keep a uniform appearance throughout your website and make the job of designing each page much simpler.

To help you get started check out magazines they are a good source of layout ideas. They have the same problem that a website does, they must keep your attention throughout the publication. Build good webpages and you will be building a great website.

Designing Web Pages

Designing Web Pages

Designing good webpages begins with good webpage layout. So what do you want on this most important first screen?

Professional Webpage Layout

Examining the methods of professional webpage layout. The individual pages in your website must have a layout that allows the visitor to find out as much as possible about your webpage at a glance.

All About Design Principles and Elements

Basic website design elements to consider. A truly shocking number of web designers are unfamiliar with the basic principles and elements of design.

Designing your Homepage

Believe me, you want your visitors to stay as long as possible. This is the only way your site is going to succeed. Your site must be interesting, persuading, and easy to navigate.

The Best Page Layout and Design for Content Websites

To understand which layouts work you only need to look at the industry gorillas. These are the online content publishers who have been around for years, and who have tested just about every layout combination.

Writing for the Web

Writing for the Web is very different from traditional writing. The way website visitors read Web copy is unique and you must adjust your writing style to be effective.

An Easy Way to Choose Attractive Color Combinations

Lots of people struggle to come up with attractive color combinations when designing logos, banners or web sites. So, here's an easy technique that only takes a few minutes.

Professional Graphics

Graphic design is an intimidating subject for many Internet entrepreneurs. However, most of us must learn some basic design techniques to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional graphics designer.

9 Ways to Make Your Web Site Look Great

Learn how to design a website that gets attention every time. Avoid the mistakes most people making when creating their first web site. Take home some tricks that even the most advanced designers will enjoy.

Selection of Web Templates

An important part of website designing is selection of web templates. Here are a few points which will help you select the best web template for your website.

Creating a Basic Web Design Template

A "template" is simply a design format which you can apply to all (or most) of the pages in your web site.