Website style is defined through page layout, design and personalization of your site's web pages.

We need to blend in with our target audience so once they arrive; they will feel right at home (so to speak). Styling is really the combination of determining audience and content considerations.

Now we know what our visitors are expecting when they arrive at our site, how are we going to present our site to them? 

In the need to envisage design thoughts for our site, we should appreciate:

• simplicity is king; always.
• web surfers are most comfortable with standard design techniques that they are used to.

When writing web page content, the document usually becomes part of a larger collection. It's important that the site follows a common structure so all the documents are available in a logical place. Bear in mind each individual document will likely have its own structural considerations.

The style of a document helps a reader to browse through it, in order to find the information they are looking for. All documents should share the same style (i.e. all your pages should be of uniform design throughout the site). This makes it easier to understand any particular document, and to jump to related information.

Using the same template to create all documents will ensure each element is used for the same function in all documents. This also helps maintaining the documents in the long term because all documents share the same markup (page coding) style.

Once your visitor has made a decision to stay, draw their attention to what you feel they should see first; in other words, guide them through your site. Styling is personal but you must make it appealing to your target audience for effective results.

It's beneficial to surf around to get ideas from other sites on how they present site content to their audience. It's best to research sites of similar nature as your own as the content will be comparable. Remember, your site must have its own unique identity which is why you can't copy exact content and design from other sites.

As previously mentioned in this tutorial, no one single approach is right. All websites should reflect their own personality in the theme they are projecting. Styling is personal to the site owner and by being creative and working within accepted web design considerations as mentioned above, your site will be working to the full potential of its goals.

Next we look at web design budgetary considerations. Knowing how much capital (money) you can commit to with the start up of your site, will determine what is possible to get online.

If you have any questions or comments please call me on 0720390184 or e-mail me on webmaster@webcraft.ws.