| Headings and focal points | | | | On this page all of the webpage elements are |
| Web visitors ''skim'' web pages looking at the headings | | | | left-justified regardless of where they are positioned. |
| and focal points rather than reading paragraphs. If the | | | | This gives a clean professional appearance, it is not |
| headings interest them, then they read the smaller text. | | | | cluttered and is the style most commonly used for |
| If the focal points happen to be links to things they | | | | internet webpages. Remember, no matter which |
| want to find out more about, they will click on those | | | | alignment style you are using, keep it consistent. If you |
| links. The individual pages in your website must have a | | | | want your website to have a professional appearance |
| layout that allows the visitor to find out as much as | | | | all of your pages should use the same rules of |
| possible about your webpage at a glance. | | | | alignment. |
| When creating a web page, keep in mind that web | | | | Balance the website |
| users rarely scroll past the first screen. Depending on | | | | Text is not the only element of a website that should |
| monitor size, resolution and the users browser settings, | | | | remain consistent. Colors, headers, footers and styles |
| this means you are working with a very small area. | | | | of graphics should reflect a uniformity to your visitors |
| 640 - 740 pixels wide is the rule of thumb that most | | | | as they move through your website. This is where the |
| webmasters follow. You will have to get your visitors | | | | pros shine! Nothing gives that sense of quality to a |
| attention or gain their interest with the content you | | | | website like balance. |
| display there. (If visitors do scroll, it is usually only 3 | | | | If all the pages of your website follow this type of |
| screenfuls worth or 2 clicks on their scroll bar so make | | | | pattern it will have that clean, uniform appearance that |
| sure your pages are not too long.) | | | | most web designers shoot for. Emphasize the main |
| If you follow certain basic rules for your webpage | | | | features of the page with a logical organization of both |
| layouts both you and your visitor will be happy. Stay | | | | text and graphics. Don't underestimate the power of |
| consistent with the following rules of page layout and | | | | page layout it will make or break a website. |
| your website will take on a professional appearance. | | | | Catching the eye |
| The importance of good webpage layout | | | | You must catch your visitors eye and emphasize the |
| The arrangement of the text and graphics should not | | | | important area of the page. Your visitors will most likely |
| be boring. If here is nothing to interest the eye your | | | | skim quickly through your webpages looking for a |
| visitors will move on. Even with good graphics it would | | | | particular subject, etc. You must present a focal point |
| be difficult to make a poorly arranged webpage look | | | | on each page that draws the eye to the main topic of |
| professional. More important is the fact that visitors to | | | | the page and make it easy for them to decide if this is |
| a page that lacks a clean appearance would soon tire | | | | the information that they are seeking. Remember this |
| of it. | | | | when you develop your website layout. |
| New webmasters often make the mistake of paying | | | | Summary |
| too little attention to the layout of their webpages. It is | | | | The best way to understand what good webpage |
| imperative that your visitors feel good about your | | | | layout is to the success of a website is to do some |
| website and that is accomplished with clean, simple but | | | | research. Study the style and layout of the top |
| pleasing page layouts. Look at websites that you find | | | | websites. Pick three of the most outstanding examples |
| appealing and try to accomplish the same effect with | | | | and see if you can emulate their appearance. Spot the |
| your site. | | | | things that are key to the layout of the pages and go |
| Consistency counts | | | | from there. Remember, first appearances count. |