2.0 Web Design Here to Stay

Web 2.0 seems to be a popular buzz phrase this year. It has been given countless definitions. Web 2.0 has been defined as the Internet of a new age, where web designs are very dynamic. It has been considered technology whose design elements is focused on ease of use and enhances connectivity and content sharing. Although an agreed-upon definition has yet to be made clear, one thing is for sure – Web 2.0, along with its implications on web design, is here to stay. Here is a brief summary of the design features of Web 2.0 sites and why the features result in well-designed pages.

Centralized layout

One primary characteristic of Web 2.0 web designs is their use of just one central layout. This basically means the pages are center-aligned, usually with inch-wide margins on each side. The reason why this center layout is effective web design is that it is simple and focused. It draws viewers’ eyes straight to the heart of the page.

Keep it simple

2.0 web designs are always very simple. Similar to a site with a centralized layout, simply-designed pages keep viewers’ focus on content, which is presumably the essence of every web site. Simplicity is achieved by removing unnecessary page elements. This, of course, must be done without sacrificing effectiveness. The only necessary visual details are the ones that are used to communicate the relevant information, such as arrows that draw attention to important links.

Easy navigation

Navigation is an essential aspect of web design, as users need to be able to move from page to page with ease. With the rise of Web 2.0 sites, the importance of intuitive navigation has become increasingly important.

Web 2.0 sites usually employ a permanent navigation system, meaning their navigation bars or panels are viewable all throughout the site. Not only are they visible, the navigation bars look the same on every single page. This makes the navigation system clear and obvious.

Logos that make a statement

Web 2.0 sites are all about being bold. This is why they all use web designs with logos that make a bold statement, no matter what the site’s business is. These logos are generally large in size so as to really leave a lasting impression with site visitors. In addition, web 2.0 logos are almost always recognizable and representative of what the site is all about. 

Increased font sizes

Sites that employ a 2.0 web design make use of larger fonts compared to non-2.0 sites. Not only is big text more eye-catching, it is useful for those web users that only view a page for seconds before deciding if the site’s content is what they’re looking for.