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Deciding on Web page elements

Written by: Lori Gama

Article Overview: You would think that the first thing you decide on, when planning your Web site, are the color palette, font style and layout—what it's going to look like---design components, right? Not so. The same approach that you would use in getting a custom home built also applies to constructing a well-built Web site.

Deciding on Web page elements

You would think that the first thing you decide on, when planning your Web site, are the color palette, font style and layout—what it's going to look like---design components, right? Not so. The same approach that you would use in getting a custom home built also applies to constructing a well-built Web site.

With a custom home, the first things you review and decide on are the functionality: all one-level or two-story? Open living room and kitchen/dining area or are each of these a room unto themselves? And so on. The colors of the walls and carpets and the type of draperies you'll have come into the picture later and aren't decided on until you've discussed architectural plans with your home builder. The same is true for a well-thought-out Web site: be sure you decide on page elements and visitor actions before you even come close to discussing colors or choosing that special font.

Remember that your Web site visitors have a need or a problem that they're hoping you'll solve for them. Yes, when they land in your homepage, the design IS a major factor in reassuring them they're at the right place (remember to look “21st century” and not “20th century”), however, the page elements and the actions to be taken must be clearly decided on before designing begins.

But before those page elements are decided on, first be clear on WHO will visit your site and how s/he likes to hunt and gather information. Once you're clear on that, then page elements should be a piece of cake.

So let me solve your need to know what the heck a page element is. Page elements include the navigation menu and photos but did you know that a page element can also be a newsletter or ezine subscription form? It can be a media player that plays your 30-second video or it can be a flash animation that draws attention to some very important information. It can be a featured case study to document that you can walk it like you talk it or it can be a property listing—if you're a real estate agent.

Do you see where I'm going with this? So many Web sites out there in the vast realm of cyber space are lost souls, meandering around with cluttered design, broken links and no clear call to action. They don't know who they're talking to. Make your Web site work in favor of your company, rather than against it. Without any strategic planning, you're bound to produce a poorly constructed Web site. What does that say about your company to the thousands of people looking for you?

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Article Tags: 20th century, architectural plans, carpets, case study, color palette, design components, dining area, draperies, flash animation, home builder, important information, living room, navigation menu, page element, page elements, piece of cake, real estate agent, subscription form, that draws attention, what the heck



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Should i get a patent? - Deciding whether to apply for a patent involves weighing up a number of advantages and disadvantages. Advantages You get protection for a pre-determined period, allowing you to keep competitors at bay. You can then exploit your invention yourself. Alternatively, you can license your patent for others to exploit it, or sell it, as with any asset. This can provide an important source of revenue for your business. Indeed, some businesses exist solely to collect the royalties from a patent they've licensed - perhaps in combination with a registered design and trade mark. See the page in this guide on how to license your patent. Disadvantages Your patent application means making certain technical information about your invention publicly available. It might be that keeping the details of your invention secret will keep competitors at bay more effectively. You'll need to be prepared to defend your patent. Taking action against an infringer can be very expensive. On the other hand, a patent can act as a deterrent, making defence unnecessary. See the page in this guide on how to defend your patent.
Re: How many mambers of this forum are also member of WF? - Hi WF members, Just wanted to get your feedback on some of the things you liked about WF. Perhaps we could incorporate some of those elements to make our forum a better online environment.
Re: Facebook or Twitter? - Facebook carries the day. You fan page is permanent and if you are good at giving e-gifts on you page, you will get more people to like your page.
Re: Basic HTML splash pages... - Thanks Michelle, I think they need more "tweaking" and in the process of setting them up I have found a good way to set up an easy split test using TEToolbox and placing a small code string on the "thank you page" that your two splash pages redirect to. Ironically, though, the RSS feed splash page redirects to a page where you add your feed (logically enough) and not to a thank you page! I'll add a third page so I can run a proper series of split tests.
College Student Magazine - Great points Kevin All the campuses I'm familiar with have a newspaper and/or magazine. So, look at what's offered at your campus. What elements of that can you improve and what's missing. Those would be the two places I would start. Chris


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