website design

Web design is the design or designing of a web page, website or web application. The term generally refers to the Graphical user interfacegraphical side of web development using images, Cascading Style SheetsCSS and one of the HTML Web standardsstandards.Some people distinguish between "web design" (the graphics and user interface) and web development (which includes "web design", but also includes setting up the web server, writing web applications, dealing with security issues, etc.)

History - The first web designer was Tim Berners-Lee.Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web and put the first web site online in 1991.He first combined Internet communication (which had been carrying E-mailemail and the Usenet for decades) with hypertext (which had also been around for decades, but limited to browsing information stored on a single computer, such as interactive CD-ROM design).At first, web design consisted of using a simple markup language, called HTML, that included some formatting options, and the ability to link pages together using hyperlinks. It was this feature that characterized the Web among other communication methods, and characterized Web design among other design methods. Because of this unique behaviour of the World Wide Web, and the unique behaviour it encouraged in users, Web design would prove to be unlike any other form of design before or since.As the Web and Web design progressed, the markup language used to make it, known as HTML, became more complex and flexible. Things like tables, which could be used to display tabular information, were soon subverted for use as invisible layout devices. With the advent of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), table based layout is increasingly regarded as outdated. Database integration technologies such as server-side scripting (see Common Gateway InterfaceCGI, PHP, ASP.NET, Active Server PagesASP, JavaServer PagesJSP, and ColdFusion) and design standards like CSS further changed and enhanced the way the Web was made.The introduction of Macromedia Flash into an already interactivity-ready scene has further changed the face of the Web, giving new power to designers and media creators, and offering new interactivity features to users. Flash is much more restrictive than the Open formatopen HTML format, though, requiring a proprietary plugin to be seen, and it does not integrate with most web browser UI features like the "Back" button.

Issues - As in all professions, there are arguments on different ways of doing things. These are a few of the ongoing ones.

Liquid versus fixed layouts - Programmers were the original web page designers in the early 1990s.Currently most web designers come from a graphic artist background in print, where the artist has absolute control over the size and dimensions of all aspects of the design. On the web however, the Web designer has no control over several factors, including the size of the browser window and the size and characteristics of available fonts.Many designers compensate for this by wrapping their entire webpage in a fixed width box, essentially limiting it to an exact pixel-perfect value, which is a ''fixed layout''. Some create the illusion of liquidity by building the graphics for their webpage at a size larger than any current standard monitor size. Other designers say that this is bad because it ignores the preferences of the user, who might have their browser sized a specific way that they like best. These people propose a ''liquid layout'', where the size of the Web page adjusts itself based on the size of the browser window.There is a usability reason (rather than wanting control) for why a designer may choose a more fixed layout. Studies have shown that there is usually an optimal line width in terms of readability. One rule to appear from such studies is that lines should be between 40-60 characters long, or approximately 11 words per line. But users may choose their windows size and font selection to optimizeother factors more important to them.This decision of which style of layout to use is often made on a case by case basis, depending on the needs and audience of the website.

Flash - Macromedia Flash is a proprietary, robust graphics animation/application development program used to create and deliver dynamic content, media (such as sound and video), and interactive applications over the web via the browser. It is not a standard produced by a vendor-neutral standards organization like most of the core protocols and formats on the Internet.Many graphic artists use Flash because it gives them exact control over every part of the design, and anything can be animated and generally ''"jazzed up."'' Some application designers enjoy flash because it lets them create applications that don't have to be refreshed or go to a new web page every time an action occurs. There are many sites which forego HTML entirely for Flash. Flash detractors claim that Flash websites tend to be poorly designed, and often use confusing and non-standard user-interfaces. Up until recently, search engines have been unable to index Flash objects, which has prevented sites from having their contents easily found. It is possible to specify alternate content to be displayed for browsers that do not support Flash. Using alternate content also helps search engines to understand the page, and can result in much better visibility for the page.The most recent incarnation of Flash's scripting language (called "actionscript", which is an ECMA language similar to JavaScript) incorporates long-awaited usability features, such as respecting the browser's font size and allowing blind users to use screen readers. Actionscript 2.0 is an Object-Oriented language, allowing the use of Cascading Style SheetsCSS, XML, and the design of class-based web applications. The final consensus is that Flash is simply a tool, and like all tools it takes a skillful craftsperson to know when, and how, to use it properly. Macromedia's other two products, Fireworks and Dreamweaver, makes Flash integration with graphics and HTML a lot easier.

CSS versus tables - Back when Netscape Navigator 4 dominated the browser market, the popular (but now deprecated) solution available for designers to lay out a Web page was by using tables. Often even simple designs for a page would require dozens of tables nested in each other. Many web templates in Dreamweaver and other WYSIWYG editors still use this technique today. Navigator 4 didn't support CSS to a useful degree, so it simply wasn't used.After the browser wars were over, and Internet Explorer dominated the market, designers started turning towards CSS as an alternate, better means of laying out their pages. CSS proponents say that tables should only be used for tabular data, not for layout. Using CSS instead of tables also returns HTML to a semantic markup, which helps bots and search engines understand what's going on in a web page. Today, all modern Web browsers now support CSS with different degrees of limitations.However, one of the main points against CSS is that by relying on it exclusively, control is essentially relinquished as each browser has its own quirks which result in a slightly different page display. This is especially a problem as not every browser supports the same subset of CSS codes. For designers who are used to table-based layouts, developing Web sites in CSS often becomes a matter of replicating what can be done with tables, leading some to find CSS design rather cumbersome. For example, it is rather difficult to produce certain design elements, such as vertical positioning, and full-length footers in a design using absolute positions.These days most modern browsers have solved most of these quirks in CSS rendering and this has made many different CSS layouts possible. However, people continue to use old browsers, and designers need to keep this in mind. Most notable among these old browsers are Internet Explorer 5 and 5.5 which, according to some web designers, are becoming the new Netscape Navigator 4 — a block that holds the internet back from converting to CSS design.

How it Looks vs. How it Works - Since so many web developers have a graphic arts background, they often pay more attention to how a page looks, without considering how visitors are going to find the page. On the other side of the issue, search engine optimization consultants (SEOs) obsess about how well a web site works: how much traffic it generates, and how many sales it makes. As a result, the designers and SEOs often end up in disputes where the designer wants more 'pretty' graphics, and the SEO wants lots of 'ugly' keyword-rich text, bullet lists, and text links.

Dynamic web design - The traditional method of laying out web pages, Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) is static. There are two ways of delivering content dynamically:

Server-side - A web server, running special software, constructs an HTML page 'on the fly', according to the user's request and possibly other variables, such as time or stock levels. Suitable scripting languages include:

PHP

ASP

JavaServer PagesJSP

ColdFusionXSLT can be used translate data in XML format into HTML.MySQL and PostgreSQL are popular free SQL databases, suitable for use with the above. They can be used to allow users, subject to password access if required, to update content.

Client-side - Client-side scripting works at the user's browser, and therefore should not be used for "mission critical' work, where the user's capabilities are not known -it is more suited to adding decoration and other ephemeral content. It is most often achieved thorough JavaScript.Client side DHTML can pose major problems for computer accessibility and search engine optimization. Most software designed for assisting people with disabilities, and most search engine robots do not support client side DHTML.If a web site's menus are built with JavaScript, it is usually impossible for search engines to find the pages listed in the menus, unless an alternative navigation scheme is provided elsewhere on the page.

See also -

Computer accessibility

Content management

Faceted navigation

Graphic design

Information architecture

Interaction design

Knowledge visualization

Separation of style and content

Search engine optimization

Server-side scripting

Web colors

Web development

Web indexing

Web templates

World Wide Web Virtual Library

External links - WikibooksparWeb Design

w3.org - W3C - World Wide Web Consortium

csszengarden.com - CSS Zen Garden

useit.com - Jakob Nielsen on Usability and Web Design

alvit.de - The Web Developer's Handbook

The beginnings of a en.wikibooks.org - Wikiversity course on Web Design

htmlhelp.com - The Web Design Group Category:Computer specialistsCategory:Web design de:Webdesignes:Diseño de páginas webfr:WebDesignhe:עיצוב !אתריםnl:Webdesignja:ウ� �ブデザイナーno:Webdesig npt:Webdesignru:Веб-раз� �аботкаzh:网页设计 DEBUG REDIRECT (web design)

Brainiac Media Website design
London Website design, search engine optimisation and web development specialists, we offer affordable website design at competative rates.
http://www.brainiacmedia.net

Traders Guild - Dropshippers and Wholesalers directory
A forum for Wholesalers, Dropshippers, people from eBay and online traders to talk and trade. A great online, friendly, community that's free to join. Make friends, source deals and get advice from already successful traders
http://traders-guild.co.uk/

ThoroughWeb Design Web site design Milton Ontario
ThoroughWeb Design - Milton Ontario - An Ontario Web Design and Hosting firm in the Toronto area. High quality, affordable web site design, maintenance and hosting.
http://www.thoroughwebdesign.com/

Internet Marketing Consulting
Premium Website design, development and Internet Marketing. Conversion rate consulting to dramatically improve your ecommerce.
http://www.sharpersites.com/

Tria Design Studio
Website of Israeli web design and CMS development firm Tria design studio
http://www.tria-design.com/

Website Design and Development in Cherry Hill, NJ
We provide professional and affordable Internet solutions tailored to your business needs: website design, hosting, internet marketing, search engine listing, pay-per-click, e-commerce, etc.
http://www.wsitopwebdesigners.com

Nine Planets Website Design and Hosting
A website is valuable only if it enhances your ability to do business or advertise, spreads your message or otherwise helps you achieve the goals you've set. Does your current website measure up?
http://www.nineplanetsdesign.com

Brand X
Specialists in marketing and technology solutions for financial service companies and the online trading industry. Grow your business with a partner who knows your clients, your products and your market.
http://www.brandx.dk/

Jaribu Limited
Ms Access Development, London Database Development and Web Design. Jaribu Business Solutions is a London UK based consulting firm specialising in customised software development, Databases and Systems. In the past five years we have delivered successful solutions for various industries such as Investment Banking, Local Authorities and Television Production.
http://www.jaribu.co.uk/

Free Website Design
Free Website Design
http://www.freewebsitedesign.org

Internet & Graphic Design - Printing - DOT NET Nuke Software Solutions
10 Pound Gorilla help the little guys compete against the 800 Pound Gorillas by using strategy, Not Money, to gain power. Whether your a small or large business we make sure you get top value for your dollars. Bringing you DOT NET web solutions and down right cheap high-quality printing, we are confident there is tons of value in our service. Learn more about our Web Design, Graphic Design, Printing & DNN Store.
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North Wind Media - Professional Website Development and Hosting
North Wind Media specializes in cost-effective website design and software development done right. From Graphic Design to Database Development to Website Design to Software Development, North Wind Media is a full service consulting firm that can handle all aspects of your project. We are also a full service website hosting provider. See http://www.NorthWindMedia.com/hosting for more details.
http://www.northwindmedia.com/

Web Concepts Hawaii - Affordable Website Design
Professional website design at affordable prices. Get your business online today!
http://www.webconceptshawaii.com/

Your hosting .co.uk
Uk based hosting web hosting providing affordable web hosting for Shared, adult, business and Reseller hosting and web design
http://yourhosting.co.uk/

James Phillips Computer Services
Providing affordable in home computer repair and service to residents of the San Fernando Valley. Including PC repair, computer tune-ups, website design, in home PC tutoring and more.
http://www.jpcomputerservices.net/

North Country Mall
located in Northern Wisconsin, We are a showcase for crafters and small businesses.
http://www.northwisc.com/

HS Designs - Web Design & Graphic Design solutions from web sites, banners, internet marketing, print and search engine optimization
HS Designs is a full service web and graphic design agency offering a multitude of services including: - Web Site Design & Development - Print Design - Flash Animation - E-Marketing Design & Development - Search Engine Optimization - Web Banners - Copywriting and much more...
http://www.hilaschurr.com/

Totnes Computers
I.T. Professionals Quality Website Design And E-Marketing Unbeatable Hosting Packages On Super Secure Servers Tel: 07748116450
http://totnescomputers.com/

Interface Web Design Site Design Hosting Services Search Engine Optomization
Interface Web Design, located in the Tampa Bay Area on Florida's West Coast. We specialize in Web Site Design for small to medium-sized busineses.
http://www.interfacewebdesign.com/

InetSolution, Inc.
Experts providing web-based design, development and software for manufacturing companies who want to establish manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) e-commerce websites.
http://www.inetsolution.com

Search Engine Optimization and Website Design
Search Engine Optimization, Website Design & Writing Services since 1997 from Words In A Row.
http://www.wordsinarow.com/

Inksurge
Brewed in Manila, Philippines in 2002. Coffee junkies Joyce and Rex founded Inksurge as a stimulant to exercise their creative drive and an excuse for waking up late. The baristas were summoned by Kaldi of Caffa Ethopia to hyperactively join in the design world.
http://www.inksurge.com/

Visuallistic.com / Multimedia & Web Design
Website Design, Interactive CD-ROM Authoring, Desktop Publishing, Video Editing, and 3D Design
http://www.visuallistic.com/

Inspired Web Design & Development - Olympia, Tacoma, Bellevue, Seattle, Redmond, Federal Way
Web design and strategy serving Olympia, Tacoma, Bellevue, Seattle, Federal Way and Greater Washington. Services include complete web site design, search engine optimization (SEO), ecommerce, web development and internet marketing.
http://www.helixgroup.net

SIlent 7 Studio
Graphic Design, New Media for the entertainment industry.
http://www.silent7.com/

LunarSky Productions: Data Services and Online Entertainment
Business-class web hosting starting at $4.99 per month, web site design, printed media & graphic design, e-commerce services, database development & online promotional solutions.
http://www.lunarsky.com/

Unique Graphic Design
CWebArt is a complete webdesign service offering personal graphic and webdesign just as unique as the person or business itself. Free or low cost hosting, domain registration, low cost complete web packages available. You get personal service and a website designed just for you like no other. Each website is created just for the individual or business. We strive for creation, design, perfection!
http://www.cwebart.com/

Neo-Archaic
Interactive design and development for websites, multimedia, cd-rom, games, and online applications.
http://www.neo-archaic.net/

Paul Johnson Interactive
Flash and Illustration Solutions for Web Development.
http://www.pj-i.com/

SYLVA - creations 3D Models, Textures, Tutorials, Web Designs and Cad
3d design information. Newcomers and anyone interested in the 3d graphics and designs. Learn new skills, tips and tricks from other professionals in the field of 3d and website designs. Tropical Architecture
http://www.sylva-creations.com

Ignite Design
Ignite Design is a small design company that specialise in web and graphic design. We offer quality experienced designs at affordable prices.
http://www.ignitedesign.tk

Smartline International Ltd
Smartline specialise in website design & development, graphics design and e-commerce solutions, giving you the platform to effectively promote your business.
http://www.smartline.co.uk

Melbourne IT - Trusted For Online Success
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http://www.melbourneit.com.au/

VoyageurWeb
Web site maintainence, hosting and design. We take care of all those little fixes and nit-picky changes that drive you crazy.
http://www.voyageurweb.com

CheckSute WebSite Develpment, Hosting & Design
CheckSite - Niagara, Welland, St. Catharines. We provide Website Design & Web Development & Website Hosting. We build, design and maintain websites. The process involved in creating these websites depends on a variety of skills and talents. We will save you time and money by putting your website to work.
http://www.checksite.ca/

Progressive Web Design
Progressive Web Design is a website development and hosting company focused on providing the highest quality websites at a minimal expense for our clients.
http://www.aboutpwd.com/

Thermal Degree
We offer a range of IT services for home and business users including web hosting and full website design from small sites to large bespoke projects.
http://www.thermaldegree.com/

Levant Technologies
Innovative website design and BUsiness solutions
http://www.levantech.com/

TnT Computer Service, Northeast Tennessee
TnT offers computer service and website design
http://www.tnt-computer.com/

Ignite Design
Ignite Design is a small design company that specialise in web and graphic design. We offer quality experienced designs at affordable prices.
http://www.ignitedesign.biz

EJHost.com
Web Hosting / Web Site Design Business. Visit Ejhost.com for more details!
http://www.ejhost.com/

Lafinboy Productions: website development
Lafinboy Productions is a professional web design, web development and freelance graphic design house located in Sydney, NSW Australia. We service local, national and international clients, and specialise in providing standards compliant web design and web development solutions, corporate advertising and marketing material services at affordable prices.
http://www.lafinboy.com/

Brave New World Website Design
Brave New World offer website design services to businesses in and around Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen, Scotland.
http://www.bravenewworldwebsitedesign.com

Website & Graphic Design & Multimedia Studio
Located in Montreal, RED DREAM STUDIOS is a website and graphic design, advertising, and multimedia production company based in Montreal. Other services offered include audio and video post-production, DVD authoring, copywriting, corporate identity packages, and internet hosting. This broad range of services ensures that your multimedia and promotional needs are managed and catered to all under one roof at extremely competitive prices.
http://www.reddreamstudios.com/

Webfresh Design Ltd
Bradford based Webfresh Design provides CSS Website Design, Web Optimisation/Optimization, E-commerce and Hosting for clients throughout Bradford, Leeds, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Nottingham and London
http://www.webfreshdesign.co.uk

John Carling
You have to see the John Carling web site and its many secret areas, 3d games and design work in the community!
http://www.johncarling.com/

VDP Services
Nevada website designs and graphic design: Specializing in small business website design, web design, graphic design, and photo services, we offer fast, personal and quality service to meet your design needs at an affordable price!
http://www.vdpservices.com/

IT-HELP Website design and hosting services
Website design and hosting for small to medium sized companies. If you are looking for web design and hosting services, you've come to the right place.
http://www.it-help.ca/

Future Website Designs
The future is now. We can create a web presence for your company for as low as $399. Does your present website look dated? A complete website re-design is available at an affordable price. Need to sell your goods & services with an e-commerce solution? Have a need of a membership or subscription based site? Future Website Designs is here to help.
http://www.futurewebsitedesigns.com/

Jam Design UK Ltd. - Website Design & Development
Jam Design UK Ltd. is a website design company specialising in the design and development of web sites for small and medium sized companies. Jam Design has developed sites for a broad range of companies from industries as diverse as domestic boiler parts to the travel industry. Jam Design will help you to develop a unique presence encouraging visitors to remember your site and to buy from you. We provide you with expert advice and ideas help you generate and convert sales leads for your web site using plain uncomplicated language. We develop web sites ranging from simple one or two page online brochures to hotel reservation services with real time availability from multiple sources.
http://www.jamuk.com/

Ariamedia
Ariamedia is a strategic E-Business solutions provider located in Dallas, Texas. Through a multi-disciplinary approach, we create complex solutions leveraging powerful creative design, application development, and our suite of Conductor E-Business Products.
http://www.ariamedia.com

Webdesign en onderhoud WieleWaalWeb
WieleWaalWeb is een webdesign bureau, maakt websites op maat en zorgt voor onderhoud, is klein, enthousiast, degelijk, betrouwbaar en goedkoop
http://www.wielewaalweb.nl

www.ibsoftech.com:IBsoftech Provides WebDesign Services,SEO Services, & Application Software
ibsoftech provides webdesign, webdesign services, application software, search engine optimization services E-commerce websites
http://www.ibsoftech.com/

D Graphic Studio
We have extensive experience in providing professional Graphic Design and Web Design as well as other services to various clients. D Graphic Studio, can design and print all kinds of marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, flyers, and posters for you or your business. We can also design and maintain professional websites that can make a huge difference in your business.
http://www.dgraphicstudio.com/

[DJE DESIGN]
DJE DESIGN, your source for affordable web design, graphic design, flash integration, promotion, consulting, site redesign, domain registration, hosting, e-commerce, and IT solutions.
http://www.djedesign.com/

Stormfront Productions - Professional Web Design
Our affordable web design is custom built and created specific for your project's needs. We ensure your customer's experience will be a reflection of your business's mission. Please contact us and let us know how we can help you with your next project.
http://www.stormfrontproductions.net/

NewAgeSMB
NewAgeSMB is a Web Development firm that caters to all web based projects such as website design and development, Search Engine Optimization, maintenance of systems, applications development.
http://www.newagesmb.com/

shopfitter.com
True pay as you go e-commerce - free ecommerce software download, support and updates - only £1 ($1.70) per order. Build your own professional online shop and make more money from customers you've never reached before. Shopfitter's search engine friendly (SEO) software provides the ideal, risk free platform for your e-commerce success.
http://www.shopfitter.com/

KingProc llc - Internet Development and Website Design
KingProc llc is an Internet development company that creates, develops, and maintains Web sites anywhere from one to one million pages, each with the same standard of creativity and care. For projects ranging from basic analysis to site optimization, every KingProc client can count on the same high degree of service.
http://www.kingproc.com/

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Complete website related services. Search engine friendly, professionally designed websites. Online forms, surveys, database websites, statistical analysis, website usability, mailing lists, copywriting and personal and professional advice and support.
http://passioncomputing.com.au/

Florida Designs
Offers design, graphic design, search engine submission and flash.
http://www.floridadesigns.com/

Website Designs Ltd
Offers design, development, ecommerce, Flash, and maintenance, services.
http://www.website-designs.com/

Level Ten Design
Offers logos, web sites, multimedia presentations, and custom media. Quote form.[Flash]
http://www.leveltendesign.com

Knobblycrab
Offers design, e-commerce solutions, search engine positioning, and marketing services.
http://www.knobblycrab.co.uk/

HTML Writers Guild
Services and resources to help members learn, improve, and perfect their skills in the craft of Web design.
http://www.hwg.org/

WordsAndPeople.com
Web site content management, design and web site marketing for business development. Based in Elstree.
http://www.wordsandpeople.com/