Here is our overview of choosing web design techniques:
Designers often discuss grids, code and content management when planning a website. Yet effective design is not simply about social media features or slider images. It means creating a website whose parts work together within an overall strategy.
An important starting point is the design approach. Sector and competitor analysis help inform a mock-up, while the content and materials available also influence that choice.
A header may use a single row of main links, supported by a useful mega menu. Language selection and search are often placed towards the right, although the arrangement should suit the audience and layout.
If a strong promotional video is available, a short 10–12-second loop is one option for a prominent position. Automatically moving content needs suitable user controls and must be assessed for accessibility and performance.
If the client has a strong product, message, distinctive idea or a sequence of related stories, these may be presented as teasers in a slider. This is a common option, rather than a requirement for every website.
Where both a video and a series of useful product or message panels are available, they can be considered together. The resulting experience still needs to remain clear and manageable for users.
A 12-column grid is one useful layout technique, but it is not the only valid choice. Why is it commonly used?
Websites need to work beyond desktop and laptop screens. Twelve has several divisors, allowing a layout to be organised into 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 12 columns and rearranged for narrower tablet or phone screens. Responsive design can use this approach, as well as other suitable CSS layouts.
Below the main visual area, content groups can be placed by importance. Service businesses may highlight services, while product businesses can provide quick access to main categories and subcategories.
This area should contain useful content that belongs on the home page and helps visitors understand their next steps.
Putting all information on the home page is sometimes considered, but large amounts of content usually need organisation into clear headings and groups.
The lower area, or footer, can provide useful text links in a clear layout. It can remain simple when there is little content and unnecessary repetition would not help.
Once the home-page direction is agreed, inner-page templates should follow the same design while supporting their different subjects. Products and services need layouts suited to how people find and use them. The interface can then be implemented in HTML and CSS, with menus, effects and other interactions developed at this stage.
Next comes back-end integration. The selected content management system is connected to the interface so that authorised users can manage the website. Training helps the client carry out the intended tasks.
After building the website, the next stages are maintaining it and making it known. These can be as important as the initial development.
We will consider these subjects in other articles.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Erol D.
Agency Director