Along with the Web 2.0, many “waves” of new kind of designs have emerged. Thanks to the development of many web technologies, including CSS and wikis, it is now possible to present a website that used to be difficult or even impossible to build in the Web 1.0.

Many web designers have taken the Web 2.0 to their advantage and create websites that are at the same time stunning, informative and user friendly. Or in other words, websites that SELL.

Building your own Web 2.0 website is not difficult, but there are some things you want to consider. These things include the interface design (or layout, if you will) of your site, what kind of content you want your site to have, how to code the site and what software you can use to enhance the user’s experience. However, in this article we will not talk about all of them. In this article, we will be covering the basic step of creating a Web 2.0 website, which is creating the site design or layout.

When creating a design for your website, it is a good idea to get a piece of paper and create a sketch of your design. It is also a good idea to have a concept for your design. Once you have had a concept, you can then decide how the website be presented. Remember, Web 2.0 is all about creativity, so do not be afraid to get a little wild and create a design that stands out from the rest.

Also, do not forget to ask yourself some questions about the usability of the site, for example, will the user be able to know what the website offers in a glimpse or will the user have difficulties navigating the site? Remember, a good site not only looks good but also helps the users.

Once you’ve finished your sketch, it is time to turn into a visible design. Quickly open your copy of Photoshop. What is lovable about Photoshop is that it is a very powerful image editor, even for web usage. For example, you can save your layout so that it is optimized for the web by using the Save for Web menu.

By now, you should have a clear idea about the basics of creating the overall design of your site. Congratulations! But, your job is not finished yet. Keep reading this series of articles to learn more how to create Web 2.0 layouts in Photoshop.
M.A.H.

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