Home  | Web Authoring |  Introduction to FrontPage

Design Tips for Your Web Page

• As for any publication, define your purpose and audience.
• Begin with a simple but easily expandable plan. Simplicity will facilitate access for your audience and maintenance for you. Writing the design on paper is a good first step.
• Plan your organization around the way your reader will use the page. A site map will help you envision the best arrangement.
  • Use page size divisions.
  • Use appropriate navigational links.
  • Consider technique of tables (without borders) to create pleasing look and efficient organization
  • Apply 3-5 rule of design. Roughly 3-5 proportion for layout, or 3-5 blocks of information.
• Include author identification, both individual writer and institution if appropriate), the date, and (optional) a copyright notice -- ©. In FrontPage, look under the Insert menu for Symbol as well as Date and Time which the software will automatically update.
• Provide a consistent look in your design. (After creating an appropriate design and navigational links, you can copy the file and use it as a template for additional pages.)
• Create balance and clarity in placing text and graphics and use white space appropriately.
• Consider page weight, size of files, which affects download time for users. The main concern is graphics and other non-text files. Limit the size of graphics use software to check page download time.
•  To avoid pitfalls:
  • Don't format for a particular browser or monitor.
  • Use a spell checker and proofread.
  • Always check pages on the server after uploading.

Guides to Web Authoring | Introduction to Front Page | Student Writer's Web
sbooth@qcc.mass.edu (Sheila Booth)