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Content and Webpage Design
Website content and webpage design considerations
Keep your webpage content clean and straightforwardA web page should not overwhelm the visitor with unnecessary animations, flash novelties or music. All of these things can detract from the content of your page. Keep your primary message clear and to the point. If you want to present these things, do it on another page where you can isolate the full effect from other elements of the website or use them sparingly for emphasis.Use "white space" to lead the eye around the page.The spaces and margins on a web page (i.e. white space) can help to frame the contents and emphasize key areas. Look at the page and form an image in your mind based on the spacing and layout. Does it help the eye to follow a path around the web page, flowing from the most important areas to the least important areas. Most importantly, keep your message as your web page focal point.
Webpages and website structure
When developing your website structure it is best to keep your main website sections to no more than 5 - 7 main divisions. As the visitor moves further into your website you can then begin to add more pages and detail. The following diagram gives a visual example of what I mean.
Website content and structureA website can be compared to a triangle. The index or homepage forms the tip of the pyramid followed by the main sections, subsections and pages of increased content.
Diagram of website content progressionWebsite navigationLet your visitors decide where they want to go, starting with brief introductions and leading into more detail as they proceed through the site. Keep your website navigation clean and simple. Never let the information that your visitors are seeking be more than two clicks away. |
