Rocketface® Webmaster's Workshop
Design A Website
A beginners guide to building a classic website

Including the step-by-step webmasters tutorial "How to Design a Website"

Designing Web Pages
By: Gene DeFazzio

The home page

So what do you want on this most important first screen? You naturally want the title of your website and you want to let visitors know what the content is as briefly as possible. Use short phrases and short paragraphs. You also want to provide links to the main sections of your site (making sure to include text links).

Ten Steps to a Winning Home Page

Set the theme

In addition, you are setting the tone/theme of your site with this first page. . . what visitors will expect to see carried out on every page within the site. This is also true of the navigation system you use.

Website Navigation and Theme

Organize the pages

You want to use contrast to guide the eye around your pages. And, to be effective, the contrast must be bold. Also, any good web page design must have a focal point. Something on the page must be the dominant eye catcher. If everything has the same level of importance, then nothing is important. Group items and information that belongs together using white space so that the eye knows they are together.

The Well Designed Webpage

Alignment

The alignment of elements on the page - both vertically and horizontally - is also very important. Choose one alignment and stick with it. That doesn't mean you have to align everything similarly, it means things should be aligned the same on the page.

Webpage content

A webpage should not overwhelm the visitor with unnecessary animations, flash novelties or music. All these things can detract from the content of your page. If you want to present these things, do it on another page where you can isolate the full affect from other elements of the website or use them sparingly. Use white space to lead the eye around the page.

Why Good Copy Writing Is So Important In PPC Ads

How To Create Your Own Content

Rules of thumb

In order for visitors to understand your site you need to follow a few more rules of thumb:

Explain everything clearly and briefly

Make sure you present information in a logical order

Use plain language

Main sections

It is best to keep your main website sections to no more than five - seven divisions. As the visitor moves farther into your website you can begin to add more pages and detail. A website can be compared to a triangle. The index page forms the tip of the pyramid followed by the main sections, subsections and pages of increased content. Let your visitors decide where they want to go, starting with brief introductions and leading into more detail as they proceed through the site.

Website Sections

Website Structure

Now let's recap the main points:

Balance the web page for a more pleasing experience for the visitor

Have a clearly defined focal point on your page

Make good use of the hot spots on the page for your title and links.
See: http://blog.eyetools.net/eyetools_research/2005/03/eyetracking_goo.html

Keep your text brief and to the point

Use only one style of alignment and be consistent throughout the website.

Summary

Treat each page of your website as though it were the only page on your site. Put as much care into the designing of each individual page as you would your homepage.

Using a good website template will help you keep a uniform appearance throughout your website and make the job of designing each page much simpler.

To help you get started check out magazines they are a good source of layout ideas. They have the same problem that a website does, they must keep your attention throughout the publication.

Build good webpages and you will be building a great website.

Professional Webpage Layout

Starting a Website
How to Choose the Right Domain Name	Your domain name will be your “Internet identity,” so it will be helpful if it closely matches the name of your business, product, or service.
Registering Your Domain Name	Registering a domain name is a quick process that often seems complex. It is far easier than most general web surfers suspect. You can quickly learn how to register a domain name with a little forethought.
Young Entrepreneur Tools - Domain Names and Hosting	When starting up in the real world, and when you are old enough to become self-dependent you need a house to live in as shelter and a subsequent address that comes with the property.
What Do I Need in a Web Hosting Package?	If you are buying web hosting for the first time, you may have some questions about what you need and what you don't.
Got an Idea, Make it a Website	Idea and passion is what it takes to kick off a website. Starting your own website is very lucrative way of working for yourself at your own convenience.
Types of Websites	There are several types of websites on the Internet each specializing in a particular service or use.
Website Goals	No matter how great the graphics might be or the navigation scheme or the flowery words, the success of your website will depend on how concisely, clearly and effectively you present your ideas.
Designing Web Pages	Designing good webpages begins with good webpage layout and good webpage layout is not rocket science.
Don't Get Burned By Web Designers	If you bring up the subject of web design with small business people, it wouldn't take long to find someone who has been burned by a web designer.
Tips For Building Niche Websites	The first step is to find a niche area. Once found that, the next important thing is to market the website so as to attract a good traffic to the website everyday.

Website Design for Beginners
Choosing A Professional and Reliable Web Host	This guide is for new webmasters who are looking for a reliable, cheap and professional Web Hosting company.
Common Web Design Mistakes	Making sure your website is SEO friendly is the first step to attract a lot of traffic to your website.
Dos and Donts Guide to Great Web Design	When followed, this guide will prove to be quite a valuable web design resource.
Building a Multipurpose Website	How to design a website that is a combination of website types into a functioning whole.
Create a Professional Looking Website in One Day	You only need one day and a little background in website building to make a great impression with visitors.
Do You Know How To Create A Successful Web Site?	A website that brings in targeted traffic and visitors who buy services or products is what actually makes a site valuable.
15 Fixes For A Failing Website	Employ these 15 tactics to improve your search engine rankings, engage visitors and convert more sales.
8 Ways To Improve Bad Website Design	Check out some simple ways you can improve your website and get it into better shape, now!