Constructing the website The techniques used in the construction of the physical site itself can add a professional touch to your work. This can be accomplished by the use of consistent elements throughout the site and the application of certain basic rules. Be sure to take these following elements into consideration when involved in website construction. HTML coding Whether you use a web-authoring program or do all the HTML coding by hand, there are some basic steps to constructing a well-designed website layout. These steps begin with the intelligent design of the individual webpages. Make your HTML coding easy to read by using indentations and comment tags. This will save you a lot of time when you need to edit your site. Have a plan for your website You should have the layout of your pages planned, the graphics and photographs ready to go, and the content determined. You know what order the pages will appear and how they will be linked...in other words, the navigation of your site. Make special note of the following : Header elements such as a logo or title - these do not have to be the same size on all the pages, but should be the same design .Common recognizable clues such as colored bullets and the same color and style of links .Footer elements such as copyright and contact persons e-mail address .A common graphics style - that is, don't use cartoon style images with photographic-quality graphics. Both are fine separately, but not together.Margins for balance of the page just as you find in a book.Putting it all together Here is a recap of what a well-designed website should include;The first (index) page fits on screen in an area 640 - 740 pixels wide by 460 - 520 pixels high. This ensures that nearly every visitor to your introductory page will see the important information. Note: Always try to keeps things 740 pixels wide or less, simply because you want to design for the lowest common denominator or screen resolutions which by most standards is 800x600. Some people have less, going as low as 640x480, but to design for that just doesn't leave enough space to present a professional looking website. Short text Lines (40-60 characters).Short paragraphs (4-8 Lines).Alt labels on all graphics.Index or site map for large website.Color coordination - including text Link colors.Corresponding text Links for all graphic !inks - for those who are viewing sans graphics.Quick download time.Use of browser-safe color palette.All other pages are designed for a width of 640 - 740 pixels; the length can be whatever is appropriate for the content.Clear, easy-to-follow navigation.Consistency from page to page - visitors will know they are still on the same website regardless of which page they are viewing.Organization - of the information and of the website.White space.Contrast of text and background for easy reading.Good object/text alignment.There you have it. Follow these simple rules and your website will move up to the next level. Good Luck! |
