Organizing With White Space

One aspect of good Web design that many people don't think a lot about is white space. That's the area on a page that is left "untouched" by graphics and type. It's not necessarily white - it can be any color, but it is space that is basically blank. White space is a visually important element because it separates lines of type, columns, graphics, and figures.

Achieving the correct balance of white space can be somewhat of an art. Too much empty space makes a page look boring and empty. It might give the impression that the Web site's owner doesn't have enough interesting things to tell its customers. But too little white space leaves pages feeling cluttered and jumbled together. When visitors see a page full of words and graphics with little or no separation, they won't know where to look first.

By using white space to divide and organize your Web site, you can easily guide your site visitors to the most important information you are presenting. When used correctly, white space will enhance your site’s usability and give your customers a clear, logical picture of who you are and what you can do for them. They will feel more comfortable browsing because the information is easy to read and they can navigate through your pages without being bombarded with too much information or commotion.