Components of Web Pages

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by: Maria86
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Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 Time: 9:22 PM
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Set Sail with a Solid Masthead



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 supporting the sails of a ship, its use in publishing holds a similar meaning. In publishing, a strong masthead can introduce a web page brilliantly, and trap users' attention in order to persuade them to continue reading. Mastheads can consist of images, brand logos and text. Mastheads are used 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 usually designed with software like FreeHand, Photoshop and Illustrator, but using a free websites builder can be a nice time and money-saver. Your masthead's potential is huge, so don't underestimate it. Spend time designing this component to maximize its impact. Remember what the goal is here: to quickly tell visitors what your site is about, and why they should continue reading.

The Site's Content

The heart of any good website, content can be presented in a number of ways. The goal here is to make your content as readable 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 general practice to use two or three columns of text in your page layout. You might want to have one wider column for your key text, and narrower columns for additional content or advertising. Also, be sure to select a font that is easy on the eyes of your readers. Decorative, whimsical fonts are sometimes appropriate for branding but are extremely uncomfortable when presented in large sections of text. A good rule of thumb is to stay with what you know: Times New Roman, Verdana, Arial, Georgia and Tahoma. 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 in print, 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. Adjust column width and font size to achieve this balance.

Steering Visitors Around Your Site

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. Navigation can include a menu bar on your homepage, hypertext in your content, and any other linkable content that quickly points visitors to relevant sections of your website. Many novice web designers fail on this task, and create convoluted sites with difficult-to-interpret navigation. It is extremely off-putting for a visitor to feel lost or confused inside your website, and the intent of good navigation is to allow users to quickly and easily locate the precise information they are looking for. The first step is to keep everything clear and organized. Use short and descriptive labels for menu buttons and links, letting users know exactly what they can expect to find on each indicated page. It is good practice to always include a link to your home page on every sub-page of your site, to orient your users.

On-Site Advertising

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 most people don't like ads. Especially irrelevant and obnoxious advertising that commands attention away from your visitors. Google AdWords' text-based ads work best, for their minimal approach and keyword-based generation. Arrange your ad space strategically, have it clearly labeled as an area for relevant commercial for your readers. Stay away from loud, colorful or animated ads that will disturb your visitors.

Footers

The space at the very bottom of a web page is where you'll find a footer. A recent trend in web design has been marked by the emergence of creative footers, containing more than just the standard legal information and copyright.You can use your footer as a strategic navigational device, to direct users toward specific sections of your website. Corporate websites often provide directions and contact information in a footer. You can also use your footer as a place for creative expression, to leave visitors with a lasting impression of your unique offerings. Placing a touch of free website design onto a page's footer can contribute to a site's branding and identity. Designshak.com placed site navigation, layout and color selection and more in their footer. On Volll.com, there's a floating octopus and a colorful umbrella make up the content of the homepage's footer. Fill up this space with something beneficial to your site's overall purpose.



And that's about it! Now that you've been introduced to the basic components of a web page, knowing how to make a website shouldn't be such a foreign. Have fun identifying these components on websites you visit from now on, and watch out for 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!

About the Author

Maria Make Free Website
I have been in the online marketing industry for over two years and love all things related to e-marketing,
writing for the web, SEO and SEM. I've been working for a large company that specializes in web design,
and love how dynamic this field is - I am constantly learning new strategies and concepts as the world of online marketing evolves.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others and hope to contribute valuable content to this community!

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