Summary 6

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Websites are sometimes organized into columns.

Two or three columns are the most common approach but sometimes there could be four. Designers should focus on putting the most important information "above the fold". This refers to the content that is visible on the screen without scrolling.

There are basic options for page layouts that every designer should know.

Fixed-width layouts remain constant despite the user adjusting the size of their browser's window. Fluid layouts change when the user changes the window size. Elastic layouts adjust as the user changes the window size but also resize the elements within the page.

Padding and margins must work together.

By adding margins or padding to elements inside of a column, it will affect the spacing of those columns. The column on the right needs enough room to float next to the column on the left. One option to correct this is to add padding or margins to elements inside the container instead.