1. Choose an orientation style:

• Scrolling, vertical style:
• 
• Fixed, horizontal style:
• 

2. Choose a position:

• Centered:
• 
• Flush left:
• 
• Fluid:
• 

3. Choose a column layout:

• Single column:
• 
• Two columns:
• 
• Three columns:
• 

4. Choose a background style:

• Solid color:
• 
• Gradient:
• 
• Tiled Pattern:
• 
• Combination:
• 

5. Choose a navigational preference:

• Flush top:
• 
• Top/ middle:
• 
• Flush left:
• 
• Flush right:
• 

6. Other considerations:

• Color scheme for the site
• Header and logo design
• Navigational element design
• Music and video files, photo galleries, games and other multimedia/ interactive add-ons

7. Summary- Learning by example:

• The 360 Digital Media web site has a two column layout with a vertical, scrolling orientation. The position is flush left, and it has flush top primary navigation. The background is a combination of a solid light blue color, a drop shadow and a white "digital confetti" patterned overlay on the right side of each page.
• The color palette incorporates cool colors, using various shades of blue and gray. Neutral white, dark gray and black are dominant colors for the page backgrounds, text, and the header. All graphics were intentionally designed to compliment this color scheme.
• The online store is visually consistent with the rest of the site, but it uses fluid positioning instead of flush left positioning. This adaptation was made to accommodate the three column layout of the shopping cart, which requires a wider browser window than the rest of the site.
• Next: A three-step overview of the requirements for building a professional web site.