Tips for Designing a Web Page Layout

Designing a web page layout can be a stressful task for web designers, especially novices. Web page layouts should look cool, be intuitive and functional. So, what are the secrets to a great web page layout?

You should avoid centering everything in your layout, centering makes a page look to disorganized. Instead try to group the elements of the page, this will add order to the design.

Try to use contrasting colors to emphasize different parts of your design. Contrast makes page layouts more attractive and can even make fonts look bigger. Contrast can be used to group your page elements as well, giving your site an edge. Contrast can be difficult to master but in the end it is well worth the effort.

Develop a theme, some element that you can consistently place an all of the pages in your site. Your theme could be graphical or even typographical, but your theme should use consistent colors. Try to avoid making all of your pages look exactly the same, your theme should tie your pages together so that users know they are still on the same site but cloned pages make your design look boring to the user.

Try placing empty space, like invisible lines, between content instead of using borders. This method makes your layout divisions more subtle and it’s easier to look at. Keep a close eye on your white space though, too much and your content will look sparse, too little and it looks crowded.

Remember to focus on functionality, useful websites gain more visitors. Using a column based or grid based layout creates order and add to the functionality of you web page layout.

Using these tips can help your web page layout look better, more organized and functional.