Website design layout is necessary in order to create a working resource based on a prototype. Thanks to the layout, all the graphic elements developed by the designer “come to life” and begin to ensure the full operation of the site. However, this stage of site development has its own specifics, which we will consider later in the article.
General information about layout
The site becomes working thanks to the written code. At the same time, the code must be recognized by all Internet browsers and correctly displayed as pages of the site.
The stages of design and layout of a website are inextricably linked with each other. It is on the basis of the layout that the team of programmers creates a website, turning the designer’s idea into reality.
The concept of layout implies the creation of the structure of all elements according to the developed layout. What is needed for competent layout:
- you need to choose the right effective tools for working on layout;
- check the validity of the work;
- site layout must be trusted by professional programmers.
Even a small error in the code can lead to unstable operation of a web resource, up to a complete stop of its work.
Stages of layout
The work of layout designers consists of a whole range of tasks that they need to solve. Here are the main processes included in the layout:
- download images, buttons, icons and other graphic elements from the finished layout;
- collect these items in a separate folder;
- prepare all the necessary fonts that will be used;
- develop pages and sections based on the layout;
- layout them in HTML and CSS;
- create dynamics of all elements;
- integrate JS libraries;
- test all created pages for errors and lags, in case of detection – promptly correct and conduct a control test.
The specialist “revives” the picture drawn by the designer, so both of these stages are important and interconnected.
The main types of layout that you need to get acquainted with
Experts divide layout into three main types: adaptive layout, tabular and block layout.
Tabular layout
The oldest layout method, which has been known since the time when experts began to create websites. This method is similar to working with Excel and is the use of tables containing the necessary information. In the modern IT market, tabular layout is considered obsolete, but it is still actively used and is suitable for standard projects. For example, if an Internet company operates in several cities, then you can “multiply” the sample and make a website for each region. They will be designed in the same style, visually similar, but at the same time have a difference in content.
Block layout
This layout is simple, versatile and has more technical capabilities. The modern way, which is the arrangement of site elements in special blocks – the so-called containers. The blocks are adjustable – you can change the size, color and other important parameters. The programming code for block layout is cleaner and lighter. It is also perfectly readable by different Internet browsers, which has a positive effect on the ranking of the site in search results.
Adaptive layout
This currently popular method implies the correct display of web pages on all devices: from personal computers to mobile gadgets. In today’s world, where the number of devices is so diverse, the owner of each commercial site must ensure that his web resource can be opened on any device. This type of layout is sometimes not distinguished as a separate type, since the two previous methods must also include adaptability.
Tools and programs that you will need for layout
Each program used for layout has a certain set of functions.
Experts distinguish text (working on the basis of HTML code), visual and hybrid layout tools. The latter combine the ability to make up site pages both using code and visually using blocks.
The main tools that help to layout the site are graphic image editors designed to work with visual content. Also, for layout, programs for working with code and with JavaScript are needed.
You can test the finished pages using applications like Crossbrowsertesting.
What are the difficulties encountered in the layout of sites
Layout of website pages only at first glance may seem like an easy task – it is enough to be able to program, use the necessary tools and that’s it. But in reality, even professionals in their field must be prepared to face serious difficulties. For example, the inability to accurately bring to life the design layout of the site. If the designer does not quite understand the specifics of the layout designer’s work, then difficulties may arise with the technical implementation of the layout.
There is also a problem with the lack of a single standard for displaying page elements by different browsers, for example, this applies to non-standard fonts. As a result, after layout, the project should be tested on multiple platforms.
What should be the layout
The following key points can be attributed to the signs of the correct work of the layout designer:
- Check the correct display of content in different formats.
- A valid result is the absence of errors in the written code.
- All types of headings, all paragraphs of content on the page must be properly structured.
- All images must be sized.
- The layout designer needs to maintain the dimensions of the original design layout.
If you follow all the rules, then the end result will work correctly and quickly.
Last step: testing
One of the important final stages of the layout designer’s work is verification. Basic testing is carried out using working tools – services and applications that also allow you to analyze and compare the finished product with the original design layout of the site.
During the audit, the specialist should pay attention to the following key points:
- examine the code for the presence of unclosed meta tags;
- check the correctness of the semantic markup for various search engines;
- check cross-browser compatibility;
- do the final test drive.
Understanding the peculiarities of the layout designer’s work will help him correctly set the terms of reference and get a properly working product at the end.
