Headings and focal points

Web visitors ''skim'' web pages looking at the headings and focal points rather than reading paragraphs. If the headings interest them, then they read the smaller text. If the focal points happen to be links to things they want to find out more about, they will click on those links. 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.

When creating a web page, keep in mind that web users rarely scroll past the first screen. Depending on monitor size, resolution and the users browser settings, this means you are working with a very small area. 640 - 740 pixels wide is the rule of thumb that most webmasters follow. You will have to get your visitors attention or gain their interest with the content you display there. (If visitors do scroll, it is usually only 3 screenfuls worth or 2 clicks on their scroll bar so make sure your pages are not too long.)

If you follow certain basic rules for your webpage layouts both you and your visitor will be happy. Stay consistent with the following rules of page layout and your website will take on a professional appearance.

The importance of good webpage layout

The arrangement of the text and graphics should not be boring. If here is nothing to interest the eye your visitors will move on. Even with good graphics it would be difficult to make a poorly arranged webpage look professional. More important is the fact that visitors to a page that lacks a clean appearance would soon tire of it.

New webmasters often make the mistake of paying too little attention to the layout of their webpages. It is imperative that your visitors feel good about your website and that is accomplished with clean, simple but pleasing page layouts. Look at websites that you find appealing and try to accomplish the same effect with your site.

Consistency counts

On this page all of the webpage elements are left-justified regardless of where they are positioned. This gives a clean professional appearance, it is not cluttered and is the style most commonly used for internet webpages. Remember, no matter which alignment style you are using, keep it consistent. If you want your website to have a professional appearance all of your pages should use the same rules of alignment.

Balance the website

Text is not the only element of a website that should remain consistent. Colors, headers, footers and styles of graphics should reflect a uniformity to your visitors as they move through your website. This is where the pros shine! Nothing gives that sense of quality to a website like balance. If all the pages of your website follow this type of pattern it will have that clean, uniform appearance that most web designers shoot for. Emphasize the main features of the page with a logical organization of both text and graphics. Don't underestimate the power of page layout it will make or break a website.

Catching the eye

You must catch your visitors eye and emphasize the important area of the page. Your visitors will most likely skim quickly through your webpages looking for a particular subject, etc. You must present a focal point on each page that draws the eye to the main topic of the page and make it easy for them to decide if this is the information that they are seeking. Remember this when you develop your website layout.

Summary

The best way to understand what good webpage layout is to the success of a website is to do some research. Study the style and layout of the top websites. Pick three of the most outstanding examples and see if you can emulate their appearance. Spot the things that are key to the layout of the pages and go from there. Remember, first appearances count.