What is website layout?

Website layout is one of the key stages of creating an online resource, during which the layout created by the designer is converted into HTML and CSS code. This task requires special skills. To produce high-quality HTML code, you need in-depth knowledge of how browsers work, the semantics of web pages, and the rules for positioning elements.

After creating a design layout, the site moves to the layout stage. In the process of work, the specialist layouts a layout created using a graphic editor, transforming its working tool. From a technical perspective, layout involves coding each page using CSS and HTML so that all browsers recognize and display the site as intended.

Layout is considered one of the most important stages of website creation. All work, the quality of the site, its appearance and functionality depend on the quality of work and the training of the specialist. Even a minor mistake made during layout can lead to catastrophic consequences. Incorrect code can create a serious load on the site, display components incorrectly, resulting in zero site traffic and client profits.

Today, every second freelancer calls himself a layout designer without a sense of responsibility. But rest assured, only a person who has extensive experience in this field, many hours of training and perfect knowledge in the field of codes can be called a verst specialist. Therefore, we do not recommend contacting the first layout designer without knowing his level of training, and, moreover, saving money on the services of a professional.

3 MAIN TYPES OF WEBSITE LAYOUT

1. Tabular

Tabular layout is the ancestor of modern types of layout. This is the first type used at the beginning of the website creation era. The basis of the layout is tables, which are structured and filled with information in accordance with the logic of their presentation. The tabular layout is still used to this day, most often used in standard projects and allows them to be detailed to suit any tasks set by the client.

2. Block layout

This type of layout is universal. With its help, it is possible to create exclusive websites for a specific topic and business area. The principle of this type is to place all parts in a vertical position from top to bottom in the order in which they were defined in the HTML. Block layout allows you to make components float and place them in the position provided by the design.

3. Adaptive

Adaptive layout appeared at the time of development of smartphones and mobile users. Today this is the most popular type of website layout, allowing you to adapt pages to a device screen of any diagonal size. The site adapts to browsers and screens and is conveniently displayed, so the visitor can see and read what is offered to him.

How to layout a website?

Layout designers use special programs, which are divided into visual and text. There is an opinion among experts that visual programs are used only by beginners, and text programs are used by the gods of layout. In reality, there are such visual programming programs that belong to the professional category (for example, Dreamweaver). Such programs are developed in a hybrid mode - on one side of the screen the work is displayed in text format, on the other - in visual format.

WHAT SHOULD THE LAYOUT BE?

There are a large number of requirements for website development. In this article we will highlight the 3 most important ones. They are the ones who distinguish good layout from bad.

Correct CSS-HTML layout should be:

• Semantic;
• Cross-browser;
• Valid.

How to layout a web page?

To layout a web page, follow these steps:
 

1. Preparing the layout: First, there must be a ready-made page layout design created by the designer. This layout is usually presented in the form of graphic files such as PSD or Sketch.
2. Designing the Structure: Define the structure of your page by placing all the necessary elements such as headings, text, images, buttons, etc. This will determine where and how to place content during layout.
3. HTML Layout: First create the HTML code for the page. Use HTML tags to define page structure and placement of elements. Follow semantics and proper use of tags.
4. CSS Styles: Add CSS styles to your page to define the appearance and placement of elements. Use CSS to style text, colors, fonts, padding, borders, and other design elements.
5. Adaptation for different devices: Make the page responsive so that it displays correctly on different devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones. Use media queries and CSS frameworks for this.
6. Testing and Debugging: Test your web page on different browsers to make sure it looks and works correctly. Troubleshoot any errors and debug CSS styles if necessary.
7. Speed optimization: Make your page optimized for loading speed by reducing the size of images and using compressed CSS and JavaScript files.
8. Testing on different devices and browsers: Test how your page looks and works on different devices and browsers to make sure it adapts correctly to all conditions.
9. Hosting: Once the layout is complete, upload your web page to the web server so that it is available online.
10. Maintenance and Updates: Ensure ongoing support and updates of your web page to ensure it remains relevant and functional for users.
    
    These steps will help you successfully design a web page and make it accessible to Internet users.

And now in more detail:

Semantic layout will be considered as such only if each element is assigned its own tag. For example, for the first heading - H1, for contacts - address, for images - img.

If the site still displays correctly in all browsers, we are dealing with cross-browser layout. Of course, today the number of browsers is quite large, so the requirement for cross-browser compatibility is quite flexible. However, for the most popular browsers (Opera, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Mozilla), cross-browser layout is required.

Important layout requires compliance of CSS/HTML codes with W3C standards. You can check compliance using special services - validator sites. To check the compliance of HTML code, the site validator.w3.org is used, for CSS - jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator.

Don't forget that the code should be understandable and have the optimal number of lines.

Websites designed taking into account the above rules will be well received by both visitors and search engines. In this case, the resource owner can be confident that the site has been developed correctly from a technical point of view.