.. The times Magazine | Page 43

WEB-PAGE

All of us at one time or another have surfed the Web. Whether for a school project, to shop for a holiday gift or special item, check a sports score, or just for fun our hands and mice have clicked a hyperlink, scrolled a page, instant messaged a friend or used a shopping cart. The web has become such an integral part of everyday lives. It has become the largest center of information. It is no longer possible to escape the web.

The most important task of developing and designing a web page is the gathering of information. You first need to brainstorm about what you would like the web page to consist of. Collect everything that you want to become part of the web page, from editorials and graphics to company information and history. It may be a good idea to get your hands on as much data as possible, and then decide what is to be used in the web page. Whatever material that you do not used may be discarded later. All information previously gathered is categorized in a hierarchy form from the most important to the least important.

Next, you have to develop the layout of the web page. You should draw some simple sketches to display the basic “look and feel” of the web page. The use of a specific theme or template should be used to maintain the same basic look throughout the web site. Keep the reader of the web site in mind when designing the web site. Most readers will not usually wait on large graphic files to load, especially on the home page.

Readers also dislike small and hard to read text. Remember that some older monitors and systems may not be able to view higher resolutions; furthermore, some web browsers may be unable to view certain types of newer text.