Step 2 - Design (Cont.)

1. Start with the Basic Web Page
2. Then, learn how to code HTML.
3. Next, learn how to use Tables to create a page layout.
4. Don't use Frames!
5. Make sure you know how to write HTML code, before using CSS.

Advantages:

• Easy to create and maintain.
• Loads quickly.

Disadvantage:

• Limited layout capability.
• A bit boring.

Advantages:

• Tables can help you organize and present information, such as financial data or a calendar of events.
• You can also create a table without a border that has a specific page width, then add text and images to the table's columns and rows to give your page a consistent and tidy appearance.
• You can also use more than one table on a page and gain total control over the layout of your text and images.

Disadvantages:

• Some browsers have implemented a handful of "browser-specific table tags" that can render the contents of a table totally unreadable by other browsers. So, always test your pages and ensure they validate.
• When used with large graphics or Preformatted Text, tables may force your visitors to scroll horizontally.
• HTML coding can become complex and hence more error prone.

Advantages:

• Allow you to display multiple HTML documents on a single page.
• You can offer your visitors ease of navigation.
• Ideally suited for sites whose contents frequently change.

Disadvantages:

• Divides your limited screen space into even smaller segments.
• Cause pages to download slower.
• Many search engines have difficulty indexing sites using frames.
• Some browsers won't let visitors print a framed page.
• Can crash computers, if you have your page is split into too many different frames.
• You can't bookmark pages that use frames.
• Can be difficult to code.
• Read this article, by Dr. Jakob Nielsen.
  Why Frames Suck (Most of the Time).

Advantages:

• Saves time. you only have to specify these details once for any element. CSS will automatically apply the specified styles whenever that element occurs.
• Pages load faster
  Less code means faster download times.
• Easy maintenance
  To change the style of an element, you only have to make an edit in one place.
• Superior styles to HTML
  CSS has a much wider array of attributes than HTML.

Disadvantages:

• Browser compatibility
  The two main browsers (Netscape and Internet Explorer), have varying levels of compliance with Style Sheets. This means that some Style Sheet features are supported and some aren't.
• Often requires work around to make pages display consistently.

Advantages:

• Provides total control of your layout to the nearest pixel.
• Better control over your page layout than is possible with either tables or frames.
• W3C recommends style sheets be used to layout Web pages.

Disadvantage:

• Only the more recent browsers (Version 4.0 and above) interpret style sheets correctly.
• Interpretation is not always consistent from browser to browser or from version to version.
• Often requires work around to make pages display consistently.