The advantage this layout has is that it can help you manage the line length of the central content by varying the width of side columns.

Web designers often use the content focused layout on news sites or blogs, and it usually has a primary column for content and one or more side columns for additional information. If a single column layout seems a little restrictive, but you still have a lot of content to communicate, consider adopting a design that focuses on the content. A visual indicator, such as an arrow can help. Single column layouts tend to be longer, and it is not always apparent to the user that there is more content below the fold. What order does the user need to see your content?įor example, it is helpful to give users a summary of what the page covers at the top to draw them in and offer a clear call to action towards the end.Īlso, think about how you can keep the user scrolling down the page. However, you do need to consider the flow of information carefully. With these factors in mind, consider using a single column layout if you want people to spend a lot of time reading on your site or if you have imagery that needs the room to shine.īecause of its simplicity, there are few challenges around a single-column layout. The Ocean Resort is a great example of this in action. That is why blogging site Medium adopts it for all their articles.įinally, when combined with imagery, a single column layout can make a powerful impact because it allows you to show those images as large as possible. That is because the website can use the same design on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops, reducing development time.Īlso, single-column layouts work well for creating a great reading experience because it focuses the user on the content with no distractions to either side. Single Column LayoutĪlthough the most uncomplicated layout you will find, it has grown significantly in popularity since the growth of the mobile web. That said, let’s look at the most common layout options available to you. You can easily combine multiple layouts across your site or even on a single page such as a landing page. It is worth saying that you do not need to stick to one approach. However, when it comes to choosing the right layout design for your site, there are several common starting points you can use to begin. Every website has an underlying grid upon which the designer has built the layout. Within these grids, you can create a plethora of different approaches. These columns and rows provide order to your content and guide the user’s eye around the page. Ultimately all sites have a grid system that sits beneath the website design. With the right layout, your content can shine, but with the wrong one content can become crowded, hard to read, and uninspiring. The design has to fit the content of your site. So before you build a website, make sure you got the layout idea right.īut the importance of your layout goes further. They are likely to miss critical content or fail to see a call to action. Get the wrong design and people will be confused and disorientated, destroying the user experience. The layout of your website can define its success.

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