geometric objects
web design title
  
Organizing  
Let's Get
Organized

There are three main areas to organize:
-Site Layout
-Home Page Layout
-Layout of all the other pages

 
Site Layout
 This is where a flow chart is needed. Sketch out how you want your pages to connect to one another using boxes to indicate pages and lines to indicate the pages that will link to each other. The following is an example of what a flow chart might look like for this web site. Have your students create something like this when they are designing a site.
flow chart of website
Home Page
Layout

The home page is the entrance to your web site. It introduces the site, with information and navigation links to other pages. Planning this page is a very important step. Think about the content links you want to provide for navigation, the information and images you want on the page, and the overall look and feel of the web site.

Create a storyboard for the home page. Here's what a story board for this site's home page might look like. Students should create a storyboard for each of their pages too. This will help when they actually place information on the page.

storyboard of home page

 
Other Pages

On individual pieces of paper, create a storyboard for every other page the same way you created one for the home page. Other pages should include familiar items found on the home page and in the same area found on the home page. The navigation bar, for instance, should be found in the same vicinity and look the same on each page.

General Rules
that help.

lightbulb with book
  • Have a consistent theme throughout each page (same background, font, and heading colors)
  • Use tables to limit line lengths. Readability is maximized when there are only 8 to 15 words per line.
  • Limit paragraph lengths. Screen is less readable than paper, so break up long paragraphs with lists and bulleted lists.
  • Never use underlines except for links.
  • Lighten busy backgrounds.
  • Make navigation obvious and easy. Have a "home" button or link on every page.
  • People do not like to scroll left and right, so limit the width of your pages.
  • When a page becomes long, consider placing information onto another page so scrolling down doesn't become bothersome.
  • If scrolling down is necessary, always place a "back to the top" link at the bottom of the page.
  • Include a "Page last updated" date at the bottom of each page so visitors will recognize that you update your information.
  • Always include contact information. This makes they reader feel more comfortable and makes your site personable.
  • Remember that we (Americans) read left to right. Therefore, most everything should be left justified for easy reading.
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Webpage last updated September 23, 2003