Page Layout

            Web documents contain a number of core elements.  The first of these is a tag identifying the appropriate document type, marked by the DOCTYPE HTML tag. (XML has similar tags of its own, but in each case, the document starts off with a tag defining what kind of document follows). This tag ensures that the Web browser understands the appropriate manner in which to render and interpret the document.  This is followed by a header, in which the general color scheme is established and the title, appearing at the top of the browser, is set.  Finally, the body of the document is established by the BODY tag in the HTML.  It is within the body that the web pages information is conveyed.  These are the essential elements that allow a Web browser to read a Web page.  In addition to these, however, there are several general conventions that site designers tend to follow within the bodies of their documents.

            Design consistency is important in order to create a common theme that users can identify as belonging to a particular company.  In order other word, consistent design parameters across a site help define the company’s character on the World Wide Web.  For example wherever possible, designers are encouraged to use identical layout grids, color schemes, graphic themes, text fonts, and organization patterns.