Basic Parts Of A Web Page
In web design, the term “masthead” refers to the top part of your web page. Historically a sailing term [used to describe the tall vertical pole on a ship that supports the sails, its use in web design holds a similar meaning.|The term is also used to describe the tall, vertical pole on ships, and there is a relationship between the two usages.] In publishing, a [commanding masthead can introduce a web page brilliantly, and [capture the attention of users in order to persuade them to continue reading].|A web page’s masthead supports the rest of that page’s content.] Mastheads can include images, brand logos and text. Use your masthead to attract the attention of site visitors and clue them into what’s to be found on that page and on your general site. Mastheads are typically designed using software such as FreeHand, Photoshop and Illustrator, but you can just as easily [design one with a free website builder and save yourself the time and effort of coding|using a free website builder can be a nice time and money-saver]. The potential of your masthead is huge, so don’t underestimate it. Spend time designing this component to maximize its attractiveness and functionality. Keep your goal in mind: to quickly tell visitors what your site is about, and why they should continue reading.
Content
The heart of any good website, content can be presented in a number of ways. The main idea here is to make your content as easy to read as possible. The best content is arranged in a way that visitors don’t have to think – it presents itself to them seamlessly in a way that naturally flows. There are several ways to achieve this. It’s considered best to use two or three columns of text in your page layout. It might be worth creating one wider column for main text and narrower side columsn for additional content. Also, be sure to select a font that is easy on the eyes of your readers. Creative, flowery fonts are sometimes good for branding but are painful to read in large quantities of condensed text. A good rule of thumb is to stay with what you know: Arial, Verdana, Georgia, Times New Roman and Tahoma are classic readable fonts. Alignment is also important. Unless you’re writing your content in a foreign language that doesn’t lend itself to Western reading patterns, always align your text on the left. Justified alignment might look best for newspaper layouts, but web typography is a whole other ballgame. Also, try to keep your lines limited to 10-12 words per line. This makes large sections of text easier to approach, and more likely to be read. To achieve this balance, play with the width of your columns and font size.
Site Navigation
The ease with which visitors can find information on your site is a vital component to any site’s success. This is what navigation components are for]. helpful tools of good site navigation|Navigation can include a menu bar on the homepage, hypertext in your content, and any other linkable content that allows your site visitors to quickly access relevant sections of your website]. Many novice web designers fail on this task. a website, and the aim of good navigation is to allow users to quickly and easily locate the precise information they are looking for.|] Start out by keeping your content organized and separated onto relevant pages. Use short and descriptive labels for menu buttons and links, letting users know exactly what they can expect to find on each indicated page. Include a link back to your homepage on each inner page of your site, perhaps by creating a link inside your logo.
Banners & Ads
better ways than others. They are typically found either in the masthead space on the top of the page, or along the sides of the sides|There are certain spots on web pages where ads are usually placed. These include the space next to or above the masthead, below the main title, and inside a side column]. Keep in mind advertising]. Especially irrelevant and obnoxious advertising that commands attention away from your visitors. Text-based ads like those of Google AdWords are therefore ideal, as they appeal to specific interests of users based on keyword matches between the ad’s keywords, and what the user typed into a search. Arrange your advertisement space strategically, have it clearly labeled as an area for relevant product info for your readers. Steer clear of loud, colorful or animated ads that will bother your visitors.
Footers
insert text or design elements onto a web page|where you can place your footer text]]. Recently, many sites are incorporating more creative elements into their footers than the standard legal and copyright information and sitemap link.You can use your footer as a strategic navigational device, to direct users toward specific sections of your website. Corporate websites will often provide directions and contact information in a footer. Some footers contain fun images or designs to insert a dash of personality onto a website. Throwing free website design onto a page’s footer leaves a unique stamp of originality. Check out ProBlogger.com for a great example of one such footer| Designshak.com placed site navigation, layout and color selection and more in their footer]. A floating octopus and a colorful umbrella are found in Volll.com’s animated footer content. Fill up this space with something beneficial to your site’s overall purpose.
That about sums it all up. After reading up on the basic components of a web page, you should feel ready to learn how to make a website]. Use your new knowledge to re-visit your favorite websites, paying attention to [the decisions that their web designers made when arranging their basic components. Think about what makes these your favorite sites, in terms of theirlayout and presentation. Pretty soon you'll be noticing components of web pages all over the web, and using this new perspective to evaluate sites differently and on a deeper level.|Have fun spotting these components on pages you visit from now on, and pay attention to their organization and design. One of the best ways to improve your own site's web design is to pay attention to what works for others (and what doesn't!). Good luck!]
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