Web page layout is one of the most important criteria that have to be kept in mind during web designing. Some of the most important design and layout elements that should be kept in mind are as follows masthead across the top.
The masthead is nothing but the area where the logo goes and the imagery that is effectively supported by the subject matter. It is important to make note of that the left hand column of the page should remain same across the entire website.
It should be filled with the headings of the content of the website for ease in navigation for the users. On the other hand, the right hand column of the web page should provide ease of navigation to the individual pages. It can also be used for small applications like newsletter signing up.
Some sites tend to provide their top menu bar across the page under the masthead. This is not liked by all as it restrict the menu links that you have and it tends to have flash menus that are not quite user friendly. The bottom menu bar includes text like the copyright, privacy policy and the terms and conditions.
The central column in the page contains the content, with regard to the homepage, it can have the introduction and teasers and with regard to other pages, it possesses the articles and the images. The search box is present in the top right hand corner of every page. In addition, the time and the date are placed under the masthead.