Before creating a website, you must first know what web layout is. The idea is that any website should be interactive enough to fully convey your brand identity.
did you know that people remember 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read and 80% of what they see? These revealing figures from the video explainer portal Wyzowl shed light on the importance of web layout in terms of the impact our brand could generate.
Simply put, the effectiveness of a website depends largely on a good web layout, so learning more about what this concept entails -as well as keeping in mind the most effective web layout tools- is crucial to make your brand memorable.
If you’re just starting out in the world of web design, but don’t know where or how to begin, don’t worry: here we’ll teach you how to create a website design that drives conversions for any brand. To awaken your desire to learn, you can check out these websites that will inspire your designs.
Now, before we learn what web layout is, let’s go over some basic terms. let’s get started!
what is a web page?
First of all, to understand what web layout is, we have to know and differentiate all the concepts -as basic as they may seem-, in order to avoid confusion later on.
To do this, it is necessary to go back to the roots on which the layout of a web page is carried out. So, what is a web page? Normally, this term is often confused with website or web site, although erroneously.
According to the digital security and privacy portal Software Lab, a website is “a large virtual space containing documents (pages) on a more or less specific topic, organized hierarchically on the Internet”, while a web page is an HTML document containing information that can be displayed in a web browser.
In short, it could be said that the set of web pages constitutes a website. Now, when talking about what a web page is, we also mentioned the term HTML, which is also necessary to understand before knowing what a web layout is. shall we continue?
what is HTML?
If you want to be an expert in web layout, it is important for you to know that talking about a web page is necessarily talking about HTML. This is a term with which you must be eternally familiar, if you decide to dedicate yourself to programming.
So, what is HTML? HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language, which, translated into English, means hypertext markup language. In simple terms, HTML is a language that allows us to create the structure of our web page through tags.
Knowing how HTML works, roughly speaking, is relatively simple. These tags are fragments of text that are included between the “<>” signs. does something like ‘<body>’ or ‘<head>’ ring a bell?
Surely you have come across these tags on a few occasions, but without knowing what they are for. Basically, in the middle of these signs, there is a word that gives a meaning to the tag, so that the structure of a document can later be read and rendered by a browser, such as Google Chrome, for example.
Now that we know what HTML is and how it works, I want to introduce you to another term that will become another of your great allies when learning how to layout a web page: CSS.
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what is CSS and what is it for?
After the appearance of the first version in 1993, the HTML language evolved to become a standard or what we know today as HTML5, which has much more robust features, such as audio, video, SVG graphics and adaptation to different devices.
All this was possible thanks to Cascading Style Sheets, CSS for friends. So what is CSS and what is it for? CSS code is used to organize the presentation and appearance of any web page; that is, CSS will define how the elements of an HTML document will look like .
Let’s say that HTML is the whole skeleton of a web page, while CSS code is the layer that will define its final appearance. As an example, we could take <H1> tags. Thanks to CSS, this text can change its appearance (size, color, font) without altering the base HTML content.
This code is responsible for facilitating the work of front-end developers and also for improving the performance of any web page because fewer HTML tags are inserted. If you want to discover more about it, we leave you this free list of HTML tags and CSS properties.
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The preamble went on a bit long, but it was super necessary to know what a web page is and everything it implies before moving on to web layout. Now that we have the concepts a little clearer, we can move on to why web layout is so important.
what is web page layout?
The web layout is the process of planning, conceptualization and organization of content of a web page, ie, ensures that the texts, images, videos, like everything you want to add to a web page, are structured to create a good user experience.
To fully understand what web layout is, it is necessary to understand that it goes beyond aesthetics to also focus on the overall functionality of a website, taking into account the information architecture . although it also involves the design of web applications, mobile and user interface design.
So, what do we refer to as web layout and web design? In other words, we can say that the concept of web layout refers to the stage in which the various elements of a site are structured in detail, which is carried out before the programming phase.
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what are the characteristics of web layout?
Now that you have understood what web layout is, you know that it is a very important aspect in web design, because through it we give a proper organization to the elements contained in the page.
To further develop this idea, in this section we will detail what are the main features of web layout to have a successful page, which is to the liking of all users.
1. It presents a simple navigation
To learn how to layout a web page, you must first know that this process aims to offer the user a fast and intuitive navigation. Therefore, buttons, links and other elements that the user needs to find to perform an action cannot be hidden .
In fact, the fewer the number of clicks, the better. Remember that if the user perceives complications to navigate, he/she will most likely leave the site.
2. Follow a hierarchical order
This web layout feature is intended to guide the user to perform a particular action from the moment he/she enters the page. To do so, it is essential to place images, menus and typographies strategically.
If your web page follows an adequate distribution, it will be more practical for the user to navigate through it, which means that he will stay longer on the site and, therefore, he will discover in detail all the functions that have been incorporated as part of the layout of the web page.
3. Include CTAs
Finally, this web layout feature is intended to mark a before and after in the effectiveness of your page.
If with the hierarchical order we suggest to the user the path to follow to navigate our page, with a call to action (CTA) we ensure that he performs a particular action, for example, a purchase .
So, make sure you dedicate the necessary time to this task, because a successful web layout must have the best CTAs.
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what is the importance of web layout?
A good web layout keeps users on the site because it makes information easily accessible and intuitive to find. Remember that a bad design can cause users not to find what they are looking for and abandon the page.
Furthermore, the importance of web design and layout has a direct impact on how long the user stays on your website. In other words, there is a strong relationship between web layout and user engagement on the site.
Therefore, all actions that users take are a direct result of the web layout. So, if you hope to succeed with your venture’s website, it is necessary to develop very well the aspects we mentioned previously.
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Now that you know the importance of web page layout, it is time to know all the types of web layout that exist. let’s go!
what are the types of web layout?
With so many programming languages, it is very likely that you do not know the types of web layout that you can use on your own website. here are some of them!
1. Fixed web layout
This type of web layout is considered one of the most flexible for designing a website, as it allows you to know how the site will appear online in different web browsers.
In fact, it has become very popular among websites that prefer predictability over design optimization.
2. Elastic web layout
This is one of the most widely used types of web layout for designing and structuring the elements of a web page, because of the way it can be modified to meet the needs of the content.
In fact, it has generated good acceptance within the web design and layout community for its ability to scale content, text sizes, etc. Unlike fixed web layout, elastic layouts work best when flexible content (such as text blocks) comes first.
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3. Scaled web layout
This is a type of web layout that allows you to adjust the orientation of a web page, especially on mobile devices.
Depending on how the device is held, this type of web layout has the potential to change the visual orientation (altering the amount of space given to the content itself).
Years ago, we wouldn’t have considered the orientation of a web page, but times have changed! Scaled web layout really shines in the smartphone market, where the screen can be rotated or moved frequently (like the iPhone, for example).
This type of web layout gives people the option to choose their preferred method of viewing information, because thanks to web design and layout the content is automatically structured correctly.
4. Hybrid web layout
Of course, when mentioning all these types of web layout, we cannot forget to mention the most popular of them all: the hybrid web layout, which stands out, as its name says, for combining the best of all styles.
Basically, this type of web layout ensures that the web design adapts to the graphic window of any browser, so as to maintain some control over the contents of the site .
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what is the structure of web layout?
By this point, you already know what web layout is, why it is important and what are the types of web layout that exist. However, it is also important that you know the structure of the web layout, because, without it, a page literally has no head or tail .
It could be said that a web page has a basic structure, which is made up of the following tags:
Header (<header>)
Main menu (<nav>)
Body (<body>)
Footer (<footer>)
Now, if you have to talk specifically about a HTML5 web layout structure, you add some sections like:
Headings and subheadings (<hgroup>)
Main content of the document (<main>)
Content (<article>)
Document section (<section>)
Secondary menus (<aside>)
Photo and caption (<figure> and <figcaption>)
Additional details and summary (<details> and <summary>)
Also, there is a traditional web layout structure, which was delimited by <div> tags. It is possible to combine both structures because some browsers may not recognize the new tags. As an example, the <header> tag, with a combined structure, would be <div id=”header”>.
It should be noted that a web layout structure with HTML5 tags takes shape thanks to CSS code. did you already realize how important it was to know the HTML and CSS functions we saw at the beginning?
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how to do the layout of a web page successfully?
After having reviewed some theoretical concepts to define what web layout is and to know its importance, the moment you were waiting for has arrived: next, we will explain how to make the layout of a web page that will surprise any user at first sight.
Learning how to layout a web page is no big deal; in fact, this can be a very easy process if you know some guidelines. Of course, there is also a set of web layout tools to simplify this job even more, but we will focus on that later.
First, you should know these tips to layout a web page and perform like a PRO:
1. Think about the user journey
It is of utmost importance to research and think about the structure of your website even before you start sketching ideas. As you do your research, be sure to focus relentlessly on the expectations of your potential customers.
After all, designing a website that provides an excellent user experience is almost impossible without first knowing the expectations of the target audience. Don’t forget that a website that doesn’t provide an excellent user experience is much less likely to attract a decent volume of traffic.
There are many ways to research user needs and expectations. So, the first thing you should do is create a buyer persona, as this will give you an idea of what the user is looking for.
Once you get a deeper insight into what the target audience expects from a website you can start working on the information architecture.
2. Establish the right visual hierarchy
As we mentioned earlier, a solid visual hierarchy makes the difference between a website layout that guides users to the action you want them to take and a website that just looks good.
Humans are incredibly visual beings, and when it comes to consuming content online, we often scan a web page to quickly discern whether we will find what we need before investing our time in it .
Therefore, when selecting a design, it might be useful to consider the Gestalt law of closure, which suggests that the human brain interprets the environment as shapes or groups of elements, rather than processing them separately. In this way, it simplifies the human eye tends to fill in visual gaps and recognize the image as a whole.
But how can it be useful for the layout of a web page? Because the user will not pay much attention to details, it is important to make the overall view of the page speak for itself. This way, users will keep a strong memory of your website.
To achieve the perfect result in this step of our guide on how to make a web layout, we recommend you to make sketches to better capture your ideas.
Image: Pexels
3. Choose a good color palette
As we mentioned above, we are more likely to be remembered if we make an impact on a visual level. Therefore, when learning how to make a web layout, it is very important to use a color palette that not only matches the identity of your brand, but also achieves a contrast that is pleasing to the eye.
If you have doubts about colors, we show you how to create a color palette for your brand.
4. Select the right typography
As with the color palette, the choice of a typography for the web layout must be in accordance with the graphic guidelines of your brand.
Additionally, it is essential that it is sober and legible, because, in this way, there will be greater chances that your users can retain important information. This will help them find what they need in a timely manner; remember that the web layout should always pursue an impeccable UX.
Here we present you a list of free typefaces that you can use for absolutely all your projects.
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5. Don’t forget HTML5 tags
Although the structure of the web layout can be combined, it is best to use HTML5 tags, since they will also help you to improve your positioning in search engines.
Besides, did you know that Google’s own engineers indicate that HTML5 tags improve the indexing level? You simply cannot do without them when structuring the layout of a web page.
Of course, when using the new CSS3 properties, you must place the prefixes to avoid incompatibility between browsers.
Extra tip: Check the Can I use portal to see which properties work in the different browsers at HTML5, CSS or SVG level.
6. Focus on call-to-action buttons
No web layout is complete without call-to-action (CTA) buttons. In fact, marketers would say it’s the most important element on a web page. Strategic use of well-designed CTAs can greatly improve website flow and guide the user to conversion, so it’s critical to get it right.
Therefore, to make sure that the user does not hesitate to click, you must make sure that the buttons are attractive and, above all, catch the eye at first glance. Look at the shape, shadows and highlights of the design.
Image: Pexels
what are the most effective web layout tools?
Having learned how to layout a website, you’ve surely realized that every step is important to achieve an amazing result. What’s more, did you know that web design and layout can have a huge impact on a website’s ranking in search engines like Google?
That’s why it’s so important to design a website that not only looks good, but also works properly for any browser. Fortunately, today there are numerous tools to simplify the process of laying out a web page .
They even have a visual interface that allows you to drag and drop links, text and images as if you were designing a poster or a Power Point presentation.
As we mentioned before, web layout can be easy if you know the right resources to develop it. let’s see which are the best tools for web layout!
1. WordPress
WordPress powers 40% of the world’s websites, and it’s no wonder. This web builder offers thousands of web layout templates and a high level of customization, which makes it a perfect choice when designing a dynamic website.
Even if you prefer to create your own design, you can do so using the various features offered by WordPress. This allows you to lay out a professional looking website without having to learn how to program or code at all.
If that wasn’t enough, there are so many free plugins available to install, often requiring only a few clicks. This makes the process of customizing your website quick and hassle-free.
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2. Weebly
Weebly is the ideal alternative for people who have little or no coding experience, as it provides the easiest to use tools to layout a web page.
Although the number of web layout templates is somewhat limited, the designs are user-friendly, professional looking and freely customizable .
Also, the themes are responsive, meaning they are optimized to work on mobile devices.
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3. Webflow
Webflow is a cloud-based service that has been created specifically to allow people without coding skills to dabble in web design and layout.
Moreover, this platform emphasizes the concept of ‘smart coding’, which means that it features an interface that allows you to insert elements, such as text and images, under drag-and-drop dynamics.
On the other hand, it also allows you to customize a web page using its freely available web layout templates.
By the way, unlike other web layout tools, Webflow takes care of creating the HTML / CSS code if you click on the “I have no coding experience” option during the configuration.
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4. Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Dreamweaver is a web layout software that allows you to code your website design directly, without having to know too much about programming.
This web layout program works through a combination of visual editing and HTML editing, which means that you can get the look you really want, rather than following the specifications of a pre-designed template.
A particularly nice feature of Dreamweaver is that it allows you to produce responsive design, which means that your website will display correctly on both desktop computers and mobile devices, without limiting the user experience.
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5. Wix
Wix is more of a website builder than a coding platform, but it’s one of the most popular online web layout tools.
An extensive collection of more than 500+ web layout templates makes the web design process a breeze. Wix gives you all kinds of tools and features to explore: an image editor, video backgrounds, animations, social buttons, an integrated site blog and almost everything can be modified, tweaked and redesigned.
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Now you know that web layout is the beginning of every attractive and successful website. Therefore, it is important that you keep in mind both the types of web layout that exist, as well as the characteristics of a functional website, which will help you offer a valuable user experience.
Undoubtedly, with a good design and content structure you can capture the attention of any user who browses your website.
best of luck!