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We all know that a website should have different pages. We also know that in most cases each page has it's own topics. But how do we know what goes where and what should be on those pages?
Many websites use a similar flow that most consumers are used to and this is how many website sections are defined.
The Must Have Website Sections
There are going to be several website sections that you must have in a site.
These are going to include:
- Contact information
- About Us
- Privacy Policy if you are an e-commerce site
These pages are often found at the very bottom of the website. This area is commonly used by many types of websites and if the user needs to email you or is curious as to where you are located, they will usually scroll to the bottom of the page for this information.
This information is vital, as many consumers will not do business with a site if they do not know that the information that they give you is safe.
There are also several people who will look up information on the web, but will want to call you to place their order or ask questions. Links to these pages are often very small and regular links. Some sites may include them as buttons with their other links, but people will commonly look for these links near the bottom of their sites.
Other Website Section Options
Obviously, the number of pages your site will require is going to depend on the number of products that you offer. Many sites will design a template product page that remains consistent throughout the site. This makes the site easier to design, especially if there are several products for sale.
The pictures and the product information are simply substituted on each page. You have two options when adding product links. You can break them down into sections, such as home decor, women's clothing, etc. and then offer those links on your home page.
When a consumer clicks on a broad category they then have the option to narrow the search with more links that are offered on the next page. Many designers will help consumers keep track of where they are in the site by using small links at the top called breadcrumbs.
These links often look something like this: Women's Clothing > Women's Shoes > Sizes 9-10 If you would like to feature products or information on your page, you can have a separate box on your site that says Features. This should be a box of it 's own and possibly on the other side of the page from your regular page links.
This box should have a picture of the feature and a link that will allow the consumer to learn more about that product. These are useful website sections, especially if you are an e-commerce business, as it highlights your products and attracts attention.
Depending on the various departments that your site may have, you may want to offer general links that lead to more specific sites. If your site is relatively simple then you can have separate links for each page. Whichever you choose, you do not want the link options to be too overwhelming for your visitors.
Most links are lined up either on the left side of the screen or at the top of the screen. This is the general area that you will want the links to be located on the site.
Action Steps For Effective Website Sections
1. Try outlining your site in a word processing program first. Break down each page and the pages that will go beneath those pages. This will also help you determine how many pages your site is going to be.
2. Draw out a general design of the website so that you can get a visual feel of the site.
3. Work with a web designer to learn more about how many websites are commonly organized so that your visitors will not be confused.
Important Points About Website Sections
- Simplicity is what visitors look for. If they visit your site and there is a lack of organization, then the site will probably be left.
- Break the site down into sections so that you can work with each website section individually.
- Don't be afraid to change the outline as the site changes. Keep the outline going through the life of the site and update it as you make changes.
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