| A web page may seem like a puzzle, but keeping the | | | | Be aware that readers are uncomfortable with |
| layout simple and conventional will help your visitors | | | | extremely short or extremely long lines so plan to |
| finding what they need. You may be tempted to be | | | | use a two or three column layout, a bit like on a |
| more creative and unique, but keep in mind that web | | | | newspaper. Short paragraphs like on this page work |
| surfers will thank you for conforming by coming back | | | | well too. |
| to your website. To stand out, plan to use creative | | | | Secondary content area - Flasher: A secondary |
| and unique colors and graphics instead. Here is an | | | | content area is sometimes used for advertising or for |
| example of a simple and conventional layout that | | | | highlighting some content that needs to be more |
| works well for most websites. | | | | visible. If you don't need it, leave this space for your |
| This article provides free, simple, and comprehensive | | | | main content. |
| information, hints, tips, and tools that will allow you to | | | | Background and Colors: The newspaper industry |
| create a successful website. If you have time to | | | | figured out a long time ago that black letters on |
| learn, it will show you how to get the best of your | | | | white paper are easy to read. Other dark font |
| website and how to run a successful internet | | | | & light background color combinations work well |
| business. | | | | but are a bit more risky. Light font & dark |
| Header - Common identifier area: Every page of your | | | | background color combinations often look strange. Do |
| website must let the visitors know that they are at | | | | you want your website to look strange? |
| your website. Here you may decide to feature your | | | | Pictures, logos, and artwork: Find pictures, logos, and |
| logo, banner, business name, or other graphic. Pay | | | | artwork for your web pages. Save time and money |
| attention to the height of this area; if it is too tall, | | | | by scanning printed documents you might already |
| your content will be begin too low on the screen. | | | | have. Use a digital camera and take your own |
| Navigation bar area: The navigation bar helps visitors | | | | pictures. Many websites including Microsoft offers |
| finding their way through your website. Side | | | | great royalty free pictures. |
| navigation bars support an unlimited number of items | | | | Large picture and clips take time to download. |
| while horizontal navigation bars leave more width for | | | | Impatient visitors might be tempted to leave your |
| the content of your web pages. If practical, I always | | | | website if it takes to long to download. Use |
| recommend the use of a horizontal navigation bar. | | | | judgment and balance. |
| Larger websites may need multiple navigation bars. | | | | Flash animations: Flash technology is sometimes used |
| Web surfers are not very patient and will quickly | | | | to create animations or sounds effects on web |
| leave your website if they do not find what they are | | | | pages. While it can sometimes be cool, some people |
| looking for. Think your navigation system thoroughly | | | | (like me) find them extremely annoying and will leave |
| to make it simple, efficient, and to minimize the | | | | your website as soon as they start. Flash animations |
| number of clicks required to navigate through your | | | | take time to download and distract your visitors |
| website. | | | | from the main content of your website. Do you still |
| Bottom Footer - Common notes area: Every page | | | | want to use flash? |
| must let the visitors know some key information | | | | Outbound links: You worked hard to get a visitor to |
| about your website and who to contact in case of a | | | | your website and the last thing you want is to loose |
| question or problem. This area is also often used to | | | | them through outbound links. Providing |
| repeat some or all of the links found in the navigation | | | | non-competitive related links is great but make sure |
| bar. | | | | outbound links open up a new window so your web |
| Main content area - Content is king: The main content | | | | pages are still opened. |
| area is what your visitors actually come to see. A | | | | Page width: Each web browser can be set differently |
| useful and content rich website will convince your | | | | so web pages can look differently for different users. |
| visitors about the seriousness of your business and | | | | I always recommend a fixed page width of 775 |
| will invite them to return to your website. Plan ahead | | | | pixels. Those pages look good for the vast majority |
| and don't make your content an after fact simply to | | | | of your visitors and will print well on a regular |
| fill up empty spaces. Work and rework the text of | | | | 8½" X 11" sheet of paper when the left and |
| your web pages, especially your home page. | | | | right margins are minimized. |