subject: Web 2.0 Website Design [print this page] Introduction Introduction
A web 2.0 website design is as a result of a social phenomenon that came into place around 2004. Its naming is based on the innovation in website design that was taking place during that time. The term Web 2.0 website design does not have a proper meaning. Even searching for it on Wikipedia would not get you a proper answer. What web 2.0 website design means is incorporating a number of design trends in the making of your website so that it is more compatible with other websites on the internet and reaches through to a larger number of people. It has become one of the most popular and hottest website design trends today.
What is it all about?
Web 2.0 website design is being used by most of the major website development companies in India. Design 2.0 uses web applications to share, post and get back information and content over the World Wide Web. It makes use of social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter, etc and also of video posting sites like YouTube. A website for any organization, company or even a blog can be created using a web 2.0 website design.
The things that are incorporated in 2.0 website design:
Keep it Simple - The design of the website should be such that all the information that needs to be shown to the visitor is present but in an uncluttered and clear manner. This does not mean that the content should be minimalistic but rather it should be to the point. A viewer's attention has a limited reserve. It should be satisfied by the content that he really needs to know and not extras.
Limited Columns - Having more than 3 columns on your website will confuse your visitor. Keeping just 1 or 2 or at the most 3 columns will make it easier for the viewer to go through the content.
Central Layout - Keeping a central layout not only helps you maintain fewer columns but it helps in making the site feel more simple and bold. The site viewer will not have to pan left and right just to read the content. Also web applications can be used to make good use of the space given there.
Different Top section - The top section of the site page, namely the heading logo and navigation menu are kept distinguished from the rest of the page. This helps define the top of the page.
Colors and Surfaces - Some of the best websites in the industry use bold, clear backgrounds that relate to their website. This not only appeals to the eye of the visitor but it also works to bring to focus the content of the page. Even a simple white background will create a similar effect so there is no specific need to use colors. Colors may also be used on the website to divide the page into different sections. A color may be chosen depending on the type of product the company is selling. 3-D surfaces may be used in logos and branding to give it that feeling of depth while gradients work in a similar manner to make a picture appear softer rather than flat and dull.
Site Map - A global site map must be added to all the pages in the website so that the viewer may jump to any specific page he wants anytime. Hyperlinks in the page content should be sufficiently differentiated from normal content on the page. Having a site map also makes it easier for search engines to go through the site quickly and so it increases the ranking of the website in the SERPs.
Bold Logos - A sufficiently large logo with precise colors and design will create a sense of confidence and trust in the organization. A logo like that makes it seem that the company is stating, "This is who we are!". This kind of branding is much in lieu of Web 2.0 website design
