Web 2.0 means different things to different people, and there’s no 1 explanation. Generally though, Web 2.0 means producing a web-based experience that is tailored for the consumer…it’s more user-friendly, and much more interactive than in the past. So what does that mean for website design? There are some basic, prevalent aspects to web 2.0 design, and if you want your internet site to keep up with the expectations of your visitors you’ll need to find out and implement them.

Less Is More
There are many reasons why a web design company would utlilise the philosophy of Web 2.0 design but the main reason is simplicity. Web pages are neat and uncluttered, without any unnecessary features to distract the viewer from the main content material. Images and words are carefully and sparingly chosen, and used in such a manner that they help move the reader down the page in the direction of the steps which you want them to take. And columns are usually kept to a maximum of three, with each one having a distinct, straightforward purpose.

Front & Centre
Web 2.0 sites usually sit centrally inside the web browser window, as opposed to being full screen or aligned to the left. Content is balanced with a lot of white space, for quick reading and navigation. The top area stands out from the rest of the web page, and is used for logos, branding and often for the main menu. Other areas of the web page may be clearly outlined as well, by using bright, bold colour or white space. Many of these elements make the content of the web page sit front and center, making it easy for the reader to locate what they are searching for.

Bigger & Bolder
Web 2.0 design incorporates large, conspicuous global navigation which is easy to find and to navigate. It’s clearly set aside from page content, and is normally formatted using a different shape, tone or color. Text hyperlinks are clearly identified and stand out from the rest of the text, so their function is unmistakable. Logos are clear and strong, often being quite large on the page. Text can also be bigger, with large text utilized to help make important sections stand out. Larger text can also be better for people skimming, reading on small screens or on LCD screens outside, or people with visual impairments.

Web 2.0 design is centered on making your website clean, crisp and simple to navigate. Significant content is easy to detect, text is not difficult to read, and white space and carefully chosen colours separate the content into easily defined sections. Overall, web 2.0 design is about keeping sites simple to use, while still being eye catching.