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Website Basic Layout2
The basic divisions of a website
Homepage/Index Page
The first tier of website contentYou have decided on your homepage design and have included links from it to your main website sections. This should be considered the first tier of content and lead into the interior of your site.Your website's first impressionHere is where your visitor is first introduced to your website. If you are going to be serious about your website construction then put a large part of your efforts into perfecting this homepage/index page. First impressions are important on the Web just as in life.
Main Sections/Site Index
An outline of the second tier, main topics and sectionsThe main sections of your site should be identified and placed in order of importance in your website navigation scheme. When your visitors leave your homepage the first thing they should see is a listing or layout of all the main topics/main sections covered in your website.Link only to the main sections of your websiteThis listing is not to be confused with sitemap construction. Your site index should provide links only to the main sections of your website. Links to the content of these sections can be included in the pages following them.Subsections/Database
The third tier is the bulk of your website contentSubsections are placed in their proper categories and the content has been decided upon. This is where the main body of your website content resides. (i.e. database) They contain the bulk of the information that you are presenting to your visitors.These are the money pagesMany online marketers call these the money pages. Chances are that if your visitor has clicked their way down to this level, they are interested enough to buy your product, click on your ads or like your message.Note: This is the area in which most ad clicks occur.
Developing the basic website layoutOutline your website basic layout and organize your ideas and content into a concept that satisfies the purpose of your site. Keep it simple. Be sure to start with an overall concept and work your way down through all the divisions you will need to communicate your message or promote your product. |
Draw a layout diagram showing the basic divisions of your website.It doesn't have to be fancy but it should reflect a pattern that will be followed throughout your site. Include all the main divisions and subdivisions.Organize your files into a structure that reflects your website layout. Develop website files and directories that are easy to maintain and track as your website grows.
The time that you spend on this aspect of your website design is important. Draw a diagram, organize your files and stick to a website structure that is easy to maintain.
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