Notes on web design
Now that WebCubic can create custom websites, the design itself and design choices becomes more important. We offer the following discussion regarding web design.Websites generally fit a common structure. We refer to it as the universal website structure. Usability experts say that we should use this structure to layout a website so that it is more comfortable for the reader to consume the content.
Key design elements should remain consistent throughout a website.
Header across the top – the header is where key contact information and the logo is located. Graphics that are used should reflect the flavor of the website.
We discuss below the "left hand column" and "right hand column". The header is normally positioned above the "left hand column" and "right hand column". However, there are instances where the header is sandwiched between the left-and-right-hand-columns. This is simply a design choice and has no bearing on the website's functionality.
WebCubic enables you to hide the header if desired.
Horizontal menu system – some sites have their navigation in the top menu bar which goes across the page under the header. This is a contemporary manner for the navigation and allows better use of space in the content area.
Some hesitate to use horizontal menus. It may limit the number of menu items. For others, it may imply that the site uses a flash based drop down menus - flash menus are regarded as not being user friendly. Search engines find it harder to index sites with flash menus.
The left hand column contains the primary navigation (organized vertically) and be displayed across the entire website.
WebCubic enables you to hide the left hand column if desired.
The right hand column on the homepage can provide navigation to individual pages that you want to highlight. Or it can display actions such as "sign up for an email newsletter", scrolling news headlines, links to forums, etc. This column sometimes appears only on the homepage and not on the content pages.
WebCubic enables you to hide the right hand column if desired.
Footer area – This strip at the foot of every page generally contains links to the site's terms and conditions, privacy statement, sitemap, etc. Some websites will show a horizontal menu system in this area.
WebCubic enables you to hide the footer area if desired.
The middle area contains the content. On the homepage, this can be a combination of an introduction to the website and teasers to articles. On the content pages, the articles and images sit in the central column.
Time and date – if used, these are usually placed on the right side under the header. While optional, it does give readers the impression that the site is up-to-date.
Using this universal website structure will give you a great deal of flexibility to display your personal style. Using or eliminating some of the structural components provides opportunities to make your website highly individualized.
Whatever choices you make, be sure that your website is simple and intuitive for every reader that visits.
posted by Shig Nishio @ 8/16/2007 03:34:00 PM
<< Home