The key factor of web page layout is that the way the content of the page is arranged must be pleasing to the eye, while at the same time allowing easy navigation and providing the content. This can be a daunting task.
So how do you layout a good page?
While a page may be laid out in an almost infinite number of ways, there are some basic rules that should be followed.
- When the reader views the page, they should not have to scroll horizontally. It's okay to scroll up or down, but it is a major pain to have to scroll to the left or right.
- The page should be easy to read. This means do not use obnoxious backgrounds, font types, colors, or text sizes. Remember that you want people to be able to read your page and then come back. If you give them a monster size headache as they try to read your neon green text on a background that looks like the flames from the netherworld, the reader may not return (to your page, not from the netherworld).
- Your page should generally use small graphics, or thumbnails for quick loading times. This is a generality only. Occasionally, when it is needed, you'll want to use a large graphic.
- Keep your page clean, neat, and crisp. What does that mean? Watch the layout of your graphics and text. Try to keep a little consistency in the alignment of your page. It can be to the right, center, left, or even all three, but align the page with a pattern. This makes your page easier to read, navigate, and generally look nicer.
So is that all there is to a good layout?
No! But it is a very good start that helps the page gain the initial layout that will promote return visits by the reader.
There are several ways to layout your page, and this is in no way the complete list of layout rules. And the rules are okay to break, on rare occasion. Remember, when you are constructing your page layout, that you want people to enjoy the page while finding the information they need.