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1. WEBSITE
GENERIC
CONVENTIONS
MEGAN SHERATON

2. LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Usability: easy to use site with clear areas for navigation such as a
navigation bar that links to separate pages. It needs to be clear, logical and
straight to the point.
Grid System:A grid system is used to separate sections of a website and
present the information in small, easy to access segments.
Centre of Site: Usually used for the main content with navigation tools to
different articles located on the left or right of the page.
Background and font colour: Used to separate different sections of
information.
Images: Used to illustrate as much as possible to add visual interest.

3. Technical Codes
Most websites have moving images or audio content.
Something that includes audience interactivity to evoke interest or
integration.
Technical content that is provided depends on what the website is
featuring for instance a music article would have downloadable
music/videos or downloadable content.
Regional based websites often provide areas for the audience to
comment and interact with each other on stories.

4. Content
• Websites with factual information may look different compared to
a site for entertainment.There are different titles on different sites
depending on what the genre is.
• Websites with different audiences and different purposes differ in
content and appeal.
• There are distinct conventions in terms of news, film or fashion
websites.

5. Genre
• Websites are based on their genre and target audience e.g. a news
website will be set out in a tabloid structure.
• The web design uses recognisable codes and conventions to ensure
that the audience recognise the genre.

6. Heading and Banner
• Located across the top of a website is usually a header.This
includes the masthead at the top of the page which will be the
company/brand name for instanceTHE CRACK or SPARK.The
banner can also include feature such as a logo, navigation links, a
strapline, radio feature, contact details or an image.The banner is
usually the entire width of the site and is a contrasting colour to the
main site background so that it stands out better.

7. Navigation bar/menu
• Located at the top of the page. It can either open up a list like
format or each link can be presented on the home page. A
navigation bar directs the reader to different pages within the site.
This makes the website a lot more organised and easy to use. Users
can find specific information and specific topics a lot easier.

8. Images
• Websites have great emphasise on visuals and therefore are very
image led. Often images are presented in a pin board like style,
sliding gallery or list format.They look very organised and
professional. All the images are of high quality and vary from
illustrations or photographs depending on what the genre of the
site is.

9. Typography
• Relates to the brand. Unique font is used for the masthead and
headlines of the pages so that the brand is original. Often articles or
detailed information have quite a simple and plain font in 11/12
point aerial.This is so the information can be read easily and
therefore the site is more user friendly.

10. Advertisements
• Lots of sites have advertisement boxes.These are usually located at
the bottom of the page or down one of the sides. Advertisements
are based on the users previous search history and therefore are
specifically designed to appeal to them.They are also genre related
and content related so a fashion website for example will have
advertisements for clothing stores.

11. Contact details and behind the scenes
• There is almost always a section dedicated to the context behind
the company.This can include the phone number, address,
publication company, editors, photographers and writers etc.

12. Evaluation of conventions
• As a website can have so much variation and solely depends on the
genre and content, I feel I can adapt all of the conventions to my
own style.The conventions I have researched have a lot of variation
yet are all vital for a successful website. Having analysed this, I have
decided to include all of the conventions but to present them in my
own unique way.