Website layout: what it is and its main types

Web development is one of the most important components of the modern information world. The success of any website depends largely on its layout. The layout determines how the content will be displayed on different devices and in different browsers, ensuring convenience and accessibility for users. Not only the appearance of the site depends on the quality of the layout, but also its functionality, loading speed and SEO efficiency. In this article, we will consider what site layout is, its main types, processes, and common mistakes that may occur during its implementation.

Website design is the process of creating the structure and appearance of web pages using the HTML markup language, cascading CSS style sheets, and other technologies. This is an important part of web development that ensures content displays correctly on different devices and browsers. Without high-quality layout, the site may look incorrect on different devices, which reduces the convenience of its use.

The main types of layout

Block layout

Block layout involves the use of HTML elements that have the property of blocks. This means that each element takes up the entire width of the page, and the next element is placed below it. This method is basic and is used to create structured content.

The main advantages of block layout:

• Ease of implementation
• Clear arrangement of elements
• Convenience in editing and updating content

Tabular layout

Tabular layout uses HTML tables to arrange elements on the page. This method was popular in the 1990s, but with the development of web technologies, its use has become less common due to the complexity of support and limited flexibility. Today, this method is used mostly for the layout of newsletters or in combination with block layout to optimize some stages of site development.

Disadvantages of tabular layout:

• Difficulty in editing
• Lack of adaptability
• Large amount of code
• Ignoring semantics, which negatively affects search engine optimization

Rubber layout

Rubber layout (or fluid layout) allows elements on the page to change their size depending on the width of the browser window. This is achieved by using relative units of measurement such as percentages. Rubber layout provides better adaptability of the site, but it can also cause certain difficulties. For example, your site looks good on modern monitors, but on old CRTs it is compressed, which makes it difficult to perceive information. Rubber typesetting is one of the most difficult types of typesetting from a technical point of view.

Advantages of rubber layout:

• Flexibility in displaying content
• Support for different screen sizes
• Convenience for users

Adaptive layout

Responsive layout uses CSS media queries to create different styles that apply depending on the device’s screen size. This allows the site to look correct both on computers and on mobile devices.

Advantages of adaptive layout:

• High adaptability
• Support for all types of devices
• Improvement of ease of use

Semantic layout

Semantic layout involves the use of HTML elements that have a certain meaning for search engines and assistive technologies. For example, tags <header>, <article>, <section> help to clearly define the structure of the page and improve its accessibility.

Advantages of semantic layout:

• SEO improvements
• Convenience for users with disabilities
• Clear content structure

The process of creating web pages

Structure development

At the first stage, the site designer creates a page layout, determining the location of the main elements, such as headings, text, images, and more.

The main stages of structure development:

• Analysis of customer requirements
• Creating a page thumbnail
• Definition of key elements

Writing HTML code

After that, the HTML code that defines the structure of the page is created. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the primary markup language used to create web pages.

Basic elements of HTML:

• Heading tags
• Tags for paragraphs
• Tags for images

Styling with CSS

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to add styles. With the help of CSS, fonts, colors, indents, sizes and other parameters responsible for the appearance of the page are defined.

Main features of CSS:

• Changing fonts and colors
• Setting indents and dimensions
• Adding animations and effects

Testing and debugging

After the layout is complete, the page is tested on different devices and browsers to ensure that all elements are displayed correctly. This includes checking for adaptability, correct display of fonts and other styles.

The main stages of testing:

• Checking on different browsers
• Testing on mobile devices
• Detection and correction of errors

Optimization

At the final stage, the code is optimized to improve the page loading speed and reduce its weight. This may include image compression, CSS and JavaScript minification.

The main methods of optimization:

• Image compression
• Code minimization
• Using caching

Common typing errors

Even experienced typesetters can make mistakes during work. Some of them can significantly affect the quality of the site.

The main common mistakes:

• Incorrect use of CSS: Incorrectly defining styles can cause elements to display incorrectly.
• Lack of Responsiveness: Ignoring responsive layout can make your site unsuitable for use on mobile devices.
• Large file sizes: Using large images and inappropriate optimization can slow down page loading.
• Errors in the HTML code: Incorrectly closing tags or missing required attributes can cause the page to display incorrectly.
• Ignoring SEO: Improper use of semantic tags can make things worse indexation pages by search engines.

Programs for layout of web pages

Web page layout requires the use of various tools and programs that help developers create high-quality and user-friendly code. Here are some of the most popular typesetting programs and online compilers:

1. Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular code editors among web developers. It supports a large number of programming languages ​​and has many extensions that simplify the layout process. Among the main advantages of VSCode are integration with Git, syntax highlighting, code auto-completion and the ability to customize the interface to your own needs.

2. Sublime Text

Sublime Text is another popular text editor for developers. It is distinguished by the speed of operation and a simple, intuitive interface. Sublime Text supports a large number of plugins and extensions, making it a flexible layout tool.

3. Brackets

Brackets is a free and open-source code editor designed specifically for web development. It has an integrated preview function in the browser, which allows you to quickly see changes on the page in real time.

4. Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe Dreamweaver is a professional web design and layout tool that offers a wide range of features for creating and editing websites. It supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other languages, and has integration with other Adobe products, making it a powerful tool for professional developers.

5. Online compilers

There are numerous online compilers that allow you to build web pages without the need to install additional software. Some of the most popular are:

• CodePen. An online platform for writing HTML, CSS and JavaScript code with the ability to view results instantly. CodePen is often used to test and demonstrate various pieces of code.

• JSFiddle. A testing and collaboration tool that supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. JSFiddle makes it easy to share code and see the results of its execution in real time.

• JSBin. Simplein-use online editor for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that also supports code collaboration and testing.

Correct layout according to rules and standards

Proper layout is a key aspect of creating effective and user-friendly websites. It is based on compliance with international standards and recommendations that ensure compatibility and accessibility of content for a wide audience. Here are the main principles of correct layout according to rules and standards:

1. Using semantic markup. Semantic layout involves the use of HTML elements that have a specific meaning and help search engines and assistive technologies better understand the structure of the content. For example, using tags <header>, <nav>, <article>, <section>, <footer>.
2. Compliance with W3C standards. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets standards for HTML, CSS, and other web technologies. Adherence to these standards ensures the correct display and functioning of web pages in different browsers. Validating code using W3C tools helps identify and correct errors.
3. Adaptability and mobile optimization. Modern websites must display correctly on various devices, including mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers. Responsive layout uses CSS media queries to create different styles that apply depending on the screen size.
4. Optimizing download speed. Site loading speed is critical to user experience and SEO. Optimization includes image compression, CSS and JavaScript minification, use of caching and CDN (Content Delivery Network).
5. Accessibility for people with disabilities. Web content should be accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. The use of ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) and adherence to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) principles ensure the accessibility of content. For example, the use of sound or animations to simplify the perception of content, automatic enlargement of images when hovering over them, etc.
6. Cross-browser compatibility. The site must display correctly and work in all popular browsers. This requires testing in different environments and the use of progressive enhancement, which allows the site to function even in older browsers.
7. Clean and organized code. Clean and organized code makes it easy to maintain and update the site. Using comments, following a uniform coding style and structuring files makes the development process more efficient.
8. Testing and validation. Regular testing at various stages of development helps to detect and correct errors in the early stages. Validation of HTML and CSS using automated tools ensures code conformance to standards.

To summarize

As we can see from the above, layout is an important stage in the development of any web pages – be it landing pages, be it information resources, be it online services, etc. Following the principles of customer orientation, technical literacy and correct search optimization, you will be able to create a site that will be pleasant to view from all gadgets and will be well ranked by search engines, which will positively affect the promotion of your business.

Oleksandr Romanenko

Team Lead/Senior SEO specialist

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