HTML and CSS Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 18.10
Do
:
Separate
sections visually.
Use a Consistent Layout
When you're reading a book, each page or section usually has the same layout. The page
numbers are placed where you expect them, and the first word on each page starts in the
same place.
The same sort of consistent layout works equally well on web pages. Having a single
look and feel for each page on your website is comforting to your visitors. After two or
three pages, they'll know what the elements of each page are and where to find them. If
you create a consistent design, your visitors can find the information they need and navi-
gate through your pages without having to stop at every page and try to find where cer-
tain elements are located.
18
Consistent layout can include the following:
Consistent page elements
—If you use second-level headings (
<h2>
) on one page
to indicate major topics, use second-level headings for major topics on all your
pages. If you have a heading and a rule line at the top of your page, use that same
layout on all your pages.
n
Consistent forms of navigation
—Put your navigation menus in the same place on
every page (usually the top or the bottom of the page, or even both), and use the
same number of them. If you're going to use navigation icons, make sure that you
use the same icons in the same order for every page.
n
The use of external style sheets
—You should create a master style sheet that
defines background properties, text and link colors, font selections and sizes, mar-
gins, and more. The appearance of your pages maintains consistency throughout
your site.
n
