How to make HTML Website Layout?
Contents
A well-structured website layout improves its user-friendliness by making it easy for visitors to read and navigate through its content. The majority of developers use columns and rows to structure their websites in a way that is similar to newspapers and magazines. <table>, <div>, and <span> are some of the elements that are used to structure the layout of websites. There are three major ways of dividing a webpage into columns and rows. Each one of them will be reviewed separately.
Website layout using tables
This is perhaps, the simplest way of creating a layout in HTML by dividing a webpage into columns and rows. The example below uses the table element to create a simple website layout.
Exmaple:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>HTML Layout using Tables</title>
</head>
<body>
<table width = "100%" border = "0">
<tr>
<td colspan = "2" bgcolor = "#b5dcb3">
<h1>This is Web Page Main title</h1>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign = "top">
<td bgcolor = "#aaa" width = "50">
<b>Main Menu</b><br />
HTML<br />
PHP<br />
PERL...
</td>
<td bgcolor = "#eee" width = "100" height = "200">
Technical and Managerial Tutorials
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan = "2" bgcolor = "#b5dcb3">
<center>
Copyright ? 2020 htmlkick.com
</center>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>
Website layout using div and span
Developers use the <div> element in HTML is used to mark out blocks of content. A <div> element can be nested in another but it cannot be enclosed in an inline element. If you need to mark out sections within a block element or other inline statements, use the span element. The example below will illustrate how you can use <div> elements to create a layout.
Website layouts using HTML 5 structural elements
The most recent release of HTML comes with structural elements like <footer>, <header>, <nav>, and <section> to separate various sections of a webpage in a semantic way. Below is an example that uses HTML 5 structural elements to create a webpage layout.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>CSS Template</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<style>
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
}
/* Style the header */
header {
background-color: #666;
padding: 30px;
text-align: center;
font-size: 35px;
color: white;
}
/* Create two columns/boxes that floats next to each other */
nav {
float: left;
width: 30%;
height: 300px; /* only for demonstration, should be removed */
background: #ccc;
padding: 20px;
}
/* Style the list inside the menu */
nav ul {
list-style-type: none;
padding: 0;
}
article {
float: left;
padding: 20px;
width: 70%;
background-color: #f1f1f1;
height: 300px; /* only for demonstration, should be removed */
}
/* Clear floats after the columns */
section:after {
content: "";
display: table;
clear: both;
}
/* Style the footer */
footer {
background-color: #777;
padding: 10px;
text-align: center;
color: white;
}
/* Responsive layout - makes the two columns/boxes stack on top of each other instead of next to each other, on small screens */
@media (max-width: 600px) {
nav, article {
width: 100%;
height: auto;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h2>CSS Layout Float</h2>
<p>In this example, we have created a header, two columns/boxes and a footer. On smaller screens, the columns will stack on top of each other.</p>
<p>Resize the browser window to see the responsive effect (you will learn more about this in our next chapter - HTML Responsive.)</p>
<header>
<h2>Cities</h2>
</header>
<section>
<nav>
<ul>
<li><a href="#">London</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Paris</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Tokyo</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<article>
<h1>London</h1>
<p>London is the capital city of England. It is the most populous city in the United Kingdom, with a metropolitan area of over 13 million inhabitants.</p>
<p>Standing on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who named it Londinium.</p>
</article>
</section>
<footer>
<p>Footer</p>
</footer>
</body>
</html>
Modern Business – Start Bootstrap Template
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no">
<meta name="description" content="">
<meta name="author" content="">
<title>Modern Business - Start Bootstrap Template</title>
<!-- Bootstrap core CSS -->
<link href="vendor/bootstrap/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
<!-- Custom styles for this template -->
<link href="css/modern-business.css" rel="stylesheet">
</head>
<body>
<!-- Navigation -->
<nav class="navbar fixed-top navbar-expand-lg navbar-dark bg-dark fixed-top">
<div class="container">
<a class="navbar-brand" href="index.html">Start Bootstrap</a>
<button class="navbar-toggler navbar-toggler-right" type="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbarResponsive" aria-controls="navbarResponsive" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation">
<span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span>
</button>
<div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbarResponsive">
<ul class="navbar-nav ml-auto">
<li class="nav-item">
<a class="nav-link" href="about.html">About</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item">
<a class="nav-link" href="services.html">Services</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item">
<a class="nav-link" href="contact.html">Contact</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item dropdown">
<a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="navbarDropdownPortfolio" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
Portfolio
</a>
<div class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right" aria-labelledby="navbarDropdownPortfolio">
<a class="dropdown-item" href="portfolio-1-col.html">1 Column Portfolio</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="portfolio-2-col.html">2 Column Portfolio</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="portfolio-3-col.html">3 Column Portfolio</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="portfolio-4-col.html">4 Column Portfolio</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="portfolio-item.html">Single Portfolio Item</a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="nav-item dropdown">
<a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="navbarDropdownBlog" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
Blog
</a>
<div class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right" aria-labelledby="navbarDropdownBlog">
<a class="dropdown-item" href="blog-home-1.html">Blog Home 1</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="blog-home-2.html">Blog Home 2</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="blog-post.html">Blog Post</a>
</div>
</li>
<li class="nav-item dropdown">
<a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="navbarDropdownPages" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
Other Pages
</a>
<div class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right" aria-labelledby="navbarDropdownPages">
<a class="dropdown-item" href="full-width.html">Full Width Page</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="sidebar.html">Sidebar Page</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="faq.html">FAQ</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="404.html">404</a>
<a class="dropdown-item" href="pricing.html">Pricing Table</a>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</nav>
<header>
<div id="carouselExampleIndicators" class="carousel slide" data-ride="carousel">
<ol class="carousel-indicators">
<li data-target="#carouselExampleIndicators" data-slide-to="0" class="active"></li>
<li data-target="#carouselExampleIndicators" data-slide-to="1"></li>
<li data-target="#carouselExampleIndicators" data-slide-to="2"></li>
</ol>
<div class="carousel-inner" role="listbox">
<!-- Slide One - Set the background image for this slide in the line below -->
<div class="carousel-item active" style="background-image: url('http://placehold.it/1900x1080')">
<div class="carousel-caption d-none d-md-block">
<h3>First Slide</h3>
<p>This is a description for the first slide.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Slide Two - Set the background image for this slide in the line below -->
<div class="carousel-item" style="background-image: url('http://placehold.it/1900x1080')">
<div class="carousel-caption d-none d-md-block">
<h3>Second Slide</h3>
<p>This is a description for the second slide.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Slide Three - Set the background image for this slide in the line below -->
<div class="carousel-item" style="background-image: url('http://placehold.it/1900x1080')">
<div class="carousel-caption d-none d-md-block">
<h3>Third Slide</h3>
<p>This is a description for the third slide.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a class="carousel-control-prev" href="#carouselExampleIndicators" role="button" data-slide="prev">
<span class="carousel-control-prev-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<span class="sr-only">Previous</span>
</a>
<a class="carousel-control-next" href="#carouselExampleIndicators" role="button" data-slide="next">
<span class="carousel-control-next-icon" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<span class="sr-only">Next</span>
</a>
</div>
</header>
<!-- Page Content -->
<div class="container">
<h1 class="my-4">Welcome to Modern Business</h1>
<!-- Marketing Icons Section -->
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-4 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100">
<h4 class="card-header">Card Title</h4>
<div class="card-body">
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Sapiente esse necessitatibus neque.</p>
</div>
<div class="card-footer">
<a href="#" class="btn btn-primary">Learn More</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100">
<h4 class="card-header">Card Title</h4>
<div class="card-body">
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Reiciendis ipsam eos, nam perspiciatis natus commodi similique totam consectetur praesentium molestiae atque exercitationem ut consequuntur, sed eveniet, magni nostrum sint fuga.</p>
</div>
<div class="card-footer">
<a href="#" class="btn btn-primary">Learn More</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 mb-4">
<div class="card h-100">
<h4 class="card-header">Card Title</h4>
<div class="card-body">
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Sapiente esse necessitatibus neque.</p>
</div>
<div class="card-footer">
<a href="#" class="btn btn-primary">Learn More</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- /.row -->
<!-- Portfolio Section -->
<h2>Portfolio Heading</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-4 col-sm-6 portfolio-item">
<div class="card h-100">
<a href="#"><img class="card-img-top" src="http://placehold.it/700x400" alt=""></a>
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<a href="#">Project One</a>
</h4>
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Amet numquam aspernatur eum quasi sapiente nesciunt? Voluptatibus sit, repellat sequi itaque deserunt, dolores in, nesciunt, illum tempora ex quae? Nihil, dolorem!</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-sm-6 portfolio-item">
<div class="card h-100">
<a href="#"><img class="card-img-top" src="http://placehold.it/700x400" alt=""></a>
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<a href="#">Project Two</a>
</h4>
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam viverra euismod odio, gravida pellentesque urna varius vitae.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-sm-6 portfolio-item">
<div class="card h-100">
<a href="#"><img class="card-img-top" src="http://placehold.it/700x400" alt=""></a>
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<a href="#">Project Three</a>
</h4>
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Quos quisquam, error quod sed cumque, odio distinctio velit nostrum temporibus necessitatibus et facere atque iure perspiciatis mollitia recusandae vero vel quam!</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-sm-6 portfolio-item">
<div class="card h-100">
<a href="#"><img class="card-img-top" src="http://placehold.it/700x400" alt=""></a>
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<a href="#">Project Four</a>
</h4>
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam viverra euismod odio, gravida pellentesque urna varius vitae.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-sm-6 portfolio-item">
<div class="card h-100">
<a href="#"><img class="card-img-top" src="http://placehold.it/700x400" alt=""></a>
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<a href="#">Project Five</a>
</h4>
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam viverra euismod odio, gravida pellentesque urna varius vitae.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-4 col-sm-6 portfolio-item">
<div class="card h-100">
<a href="#"><img class="card-img-top" src="http://placehold.it/700x400" alt=""></a>
<div class="card-body">
<h4 class="card-title">
<a href="#">Project Six</a>
</h4>
<p class="card-text">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Itaque earum nostrum suscipit ducimus nihil provident, perferendis rem illo, voluptate atque, sit eius in voluptates, nemo repellat fugiat excepturi! Nemo, esse.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- /.row -->
<!-- Features Section -->
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-6">
<h2>Modern Business Features</h2>
<p>The Modern Business template by Start Bootstrap includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Bootstrap v4</strong>
</li>
<li>jQuery</li>
<li>Font Awesome</li>
<li>Working contact form with validation</li>
<li>Unstyled page elements for easy customization</li>
</ul>
<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Corporis, omnis doloremque non cum id reprehenderit, quisquam totam aspernatur tempora minima unde aliquid ea culpa sunt. Reiciendis quia dolorum ducimus unde.</p>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-6">
<img class="img-fluid rounded" src="http://placehold.it/700x450" alt="">
</div>
</div>
<!-- /.row -->
<hr>
<!-- Call to Action Section -->
<div class="row mb-4">
<div class="col-md-8">
<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Molestias, expedita, saepe, vero rerum deleniti beatae veniam harum neque nemo praesentium cum alias asperiores commodi.</p>
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
<a class="btn btn-lg btn-secondary btn-block" href="#">Call to Action</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- /.container -->
<!-- Footer -->
<footer class="py-5 bg-dark">
<div class="container">
<p class="m-0 text-center text-white">Copyright © Your Website 2020</p>
</div>
<!-- /.container -->
</footer>
<!-- Bootstrap core JavaScript -->
<script src="vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script src="vendor/bootstrap/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Terry White is a professional technical writer, WordPress developer, Web Designer, Software Engineer, and Blogger. He strives for pixel-perfect design, clean robust code, and a user-friendly interface. If you have a project in mind and like his work, feel free to contact him
