A webpage comprises several elements and those that you will come across here are the key elements of a web page. The combination of these elements greatly impacts user experience.
By reading this article, you will be able to distinguish between a web page and a website. Also, with the information you gather here, you would be able to recognize a great web page at first glance. Although you may not be designing the website yourself, it is important that you understand foundational Dos and Donts when it comes to web designs.
Let’s get right into it!
What is a Web Page?
A webpage is a document that is written in hypertext markup language (HTML) and has a unique uniform resource locator (URL). Each time you look up information on the search engine, the page you will immediately see is a web page. The web page is also used to sell goods or services on the internet.
It is also used to pass across information to your audience. This information could be in text, video, or picture format. On the internet, there are numerous web pages and more web pages are being added to it daily.
Although people interchange web pages with the website in various articles, they do not mean the same thing in reality. One major distinguishing factor between both entities is that a website embodies various web pages. In other words, a web page as explained earlier is a page with a unique URL, while a website has various web pages and their information is connected together in the same domain.
What are the 5 Key Elements of a Web page?
The 5 key elements of a web page include:
1. Header
Imagine you’re out on a visit to your friend’s place. Your friend gave you his address, but there’s no description on his street. You don’t even know if you are on his street or not. Now you’re confused. Such confusion is what your visitors experience when you do not use headers. Headers are titles on your web page.
Why is a header one of the key elements of a web page?
With the header, your visitors can easily scan your page for the required or needed information. If you are able to use headers effectively, your audience will be more interested in reading the content on your web page.
Also, search engines like Google love headers because it’s easier for the bot to crawl a page with headers. This helps a great deal with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Just like humans, when the bot crawls or navigates your website, it easily understands the content on the web page. This helps it rank your page for SEO.
One other function of a header to your page is that it is good for mobile or voice search. If your website does not have this functionality, your page will not be recommended in this kind of search. Instead of allowing your competitors to have this advantage over you, factor this key element into your web page.
2. Search
You will agree that in this current dispensation, humans prefer to get what they want in an easier way. Proof of this is the day-to-day increase in online shopping and deliveries. The search function on a web page is a function that makes navigating your website easy.
With the search bar being active and functional, your audience stays longer on your website provided you have what they are searching for. They will enjoy navigating through your site. Once they enjoy navigation, they will explore your site. If your website has various categories, never underestimate the effect of the search bar.
With this functionality, you can integrate analytics that’d help you know what your visitors are looking for on your website. With this knowledge, you can provide solutions to their pains. And when you can solve your visitors’ problems effectively, they keep coming back to your space. With this analysis, you will know when to add to your categories and what to add to your content.
Allow your audience to enjoy everything you have for them by being able to get to their desired page by typing a phrase or sentence. Not including a search function on your web page means restricting your audience from exploring your website.
3. Menu
Like the search button, the menu helps the audience navigate your website easily. However, the menu is different from the search functionality as they have different configurations and outlooks. With the menu, your audience will know what information to expect from the web page. The menu can be located in the header, sidebar, or footer of a page.
Whichever you choose to use for your website is dependent on how you want your page to look and function. With a great website developer, you can be sure to get the best recommendation on the best menu for your website.
The navigation menu, especially the navigation menu is also very good for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). While naming the lists on your menu, ensure they are not just good to read but also comprise keywords. Try as much as you can to ensure all of the pages on your website can be accessed on the menu.
Menu functionality is also used for presenting various options when a particular page has numerous useful contents. It’s easier when your audience is able to reach the particular content they want to view without having to perambulate your web page. The menu functionality is thus one you should not leave out from your web page.
4. Quality Images
It is correct that images add beauty to your web page, but that’s not all there is to images. If beauty is all there is to images, it would not have made the list of key elements for your web page. Here, the focus is not on any kind of image but on quality images. Also, according to mdgadvertising.com, it is easier for your audience to recall an image 65% more than they will recall text.
Another impression you should debunk is assuming the image connotes only pictures. Images are not restricted to pictures. It includes infographics, cartoons, pictures, GIFs, and photographs. For any kind of image, you choose to use for your page, ensure it is of great quality and best describes the message you are trying to pass across.
How come quality images make this list? What is the importance of a quality image to a web page?
You can use images to explain better what words cannot clearly depict. For instance, an infographic can be used to explain very long written content. Your audience by viewing such an image can have an overview of what the written content is about. It will help them better comprehend your message.
In terms of search engine optimization, images help you rank better. Sites with enough images rank higher than those without or with insufficient images. Quality also connotes when your images have the appropriate alt-text.
5. Footer
As the name implies, the foot is usually the last part of the body from top to bottom. Similarly, the footer of a web page is usually located beneath the web page. That is the last part of the web page from top to bottom. It usually looks different from what the header and body of the content look like.
On some websites, the footer remains static from page to page. On some other websites, the footer varies. That which will be used is dependent on the type of website, the function of the website, and the website developer.
Sometimes, the footer contains information like copyright policies, contact, privacy policies, social media handles, and other necessary information. Your footer can include links to some important pages your audience are likely to look for.
A footer to a web page is what a conclusion is to an article. Without it, the information on your page will come to a sudden end. Such an abrupt end gives the feeling of incompleteness. Never aim to leave your audience hanging. You wouldn’t like it if you were in their shoes and they don’t like it too.
Like the header, a footer is very important to your web page.
Other Effective and qualities of a Web Page in 2022
There are actually quite a few more factors that go into creating an effective web page. Here are some more effective and key elements of a web page
1. A clear and concise message.
Your web page should have a clear and concise message that speaks to your target audience. It should be easy to understand and free of any confusing or irrelevant information.
2. A well-designed layout.
Your web page should have a well-designed layout that is easy to navigate and looks great on all devices. A good layout will help visitors find the information they need quickly and without any issues.
3. High-quality content.
The content on your web page should be well-written and informative. It should be engaging and relevant to your target audience. Make sure to avoid any errors or typos, as this can make your page look unprofessional.
4. Search engine optimization.
One of the most important elements of a successful web page is search engine optimization, or “SEO.” By optimizing your web page for specific keywords that relate to your business or website, you can improve your chances of being found by potential customers or visitors. There are a few key things to keep in mind when optimizing your web page for SEO:
- Use relevant keywords in your page title and throughout your content.
- Make sure your website is accessible to both search engines and users by using clear and keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and alt tags.
- Structure your website in a way that makes it easy for search engines to crawl and index your pages.
- Promote your website through social media, link building, and other online marketing campaigns.
By following these simple SEO tips, you can improve your website’s visibility and draw more traffic to your site.
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Final Thoughts
With this article, you can now safely distinguish between a website and a web page. There are other elements you can include in your webpage based on your business nature and the function you desire at every point in time. However, the five key elements of a web page analyzed in this piece are should have elements for every web page.
When all of the elements in this article are fulfilled, you can now add other elements you desire. As a business owner, these key elements will make your web page function properly. Your choice of a developer is also a crucial part of your web page development process. Contact Iconic digital world for any question or challenge you have as regards your web page or website.
Iconic Digital World is an affordable web design company specializing in high-quality custom WordPress websites. Our team of designers and developers are dedicated to creating beautiful, responsive websites that are easy to use and maintain. If you are looking for a company to help with your next web design project, look no further than Iconic Digital World!
