It is a myth that the web layout of every website should be unique to satisfy the goals of the project. If you visit the most popular websites, you will notice that their layouts are almost the same. It's not because they are lazy to adopt new layouts or coincidence, it's because of these below-mentioned advantages:

• Usable:  Open-source layouts, which can be used again and again as per the project demands. This is the reason why you see many common websites.
• Familiar:  Users basically want to see familiar websites for their content, if they don't find familiar content they skip to other websites. As a result, you will lose your visitors. So it's better to keep layouts familiar.
• Cost-effective:  Most used layouts or common ones always save time and money. As you have to reuse the existing layouts on your projects. With existing layouts, designers will be able to focus on other factors like visual effects and other aspects of the website.

Each website is different and requires different approaches, it's helpful to be familiar with the design and layouts. In this article, we will discuss web design and its layouts. 

What is web design?

Web design is the overall look of a website which includes its layouts, graphics, images, colors, and fonts. It gives you a feeling and an idea about the website. Though web development requires software coding and other skills, web design covers a website's user interface and experience.

The user experience includes layouts, functionality, content, and the website's appearance.  Web designers represent the website in the most effective way, which helps users to stay on the website for a longer period. To make this happen, designers use different types of web designs and layouts depending on the functionality and usage.

Types of Web Design

Here is a list of website designs and their usage:

Single Page

As the name suggests, a Single Page website design contains only one HTML page. No about us, contact, or other features. The single-page web design can be as long as the designer wants, allowing all the details to be included in a single page, making it more continuous and fluid for the users. 

While developing a single-page web design many companies create a narrative journey to convey the information to their users. It is known as a versatile design because it can be used to sell products as well as share the company's progress news.

Dynamic Design

The dynamic website offers functionality to its users, unlike a static with only displays the information. While visiting the dynamic websites, users can interact with the content and it is possible due to the technologies used in the development process. It uses JavaScript, PHP, .NET, JQuery, etc. 
Due to its interactive nature, dynamic web design may cost a little more than compared to single-page web design. Sometimes, it may take a longer loading time, as it is created on both the client-side and server-side. A good example of a dynamic website is Google, which updates its information on the front page based on the user's queries.

Responsive Design

A responsive website design uses HTML and CSS to automatically adjust its content depending upon the devices. No matter from which platforms or devices, users are operating your website, it will shrink its web design according to it. This is the reason why it is mostly used by huge organizations and businesses to represent themselves. 
A responsive website looks good on all screens i.e. laptops, mobiles, tablets, and computers. This design is known as the modern design approach, as users can easily view and navigate the content.

Liquid Design

Liquid website design is also known as fluid design and sometimes it behaves like a responsive web design, except it does not adjust its content screen-wise. Since the units are flexible, the website will automatically adjust its content on the device, however, the good part is it does not cut any content. 
As websites are customer-centric, liquid website design can be a possible option for businesses. It is easier to set up as compared to responsive web design, whose pages represent every piece of information.

Fixed design

A fixed design, as the name, suggests that its content or components will not change no matter the size of the screen. This type of website uses a solid resolution such as fixed-width with a fixed percentage. Due to its fixed resolutions, the website will open with the exact content on every device. 
Sometimes, a fixed design website may create a problem as it requires more effort to scroll down and find out the information that users are searching for. Most website visitors are assumed to browse in 1024x768 resolution or higher in a fixed design layout.

Types of website layouts

Here are different types of website layouts, that benefit the most:

F-shape layout

The f-shape layout of a website helps users' general viewing of the content on it. Research has found that viewers normally view web content in F or E shape. Web Pages that follow eye movements in this pattern can capture visitors’ attention more naturally. 
The F-shape layout is most common for those websites, which provide a lot of information and the users have to make a quick decision after viewing it. For example news and e-commerce sites.

Grid of cards layout

A grid card layout represents the content in a grid system that visitors or users can easily manipulate by adjusting the size of the screen. The most common websites that use a grid of cards layout are video streaming sites, where they have to display the videos on different options. 
In grid layout, the website divides the major regions and defines a relationship in terms of seizing, layer, and positions, between HTML primitives. Just like table grid layout enables to align of the content in columns and rows. 

Boxes

The boxes layout represents a large box in a website on the header, which displays images and boxes underneath that provide information and images for visitors. Each box offers important and engaging information about the company and its work. Through these boxes, visitors can redirect to other dynamic web pages to find more information in depth. 
As the boxes certainly provide information and images, web developers mostly use this layout to display the company's portfolio and featured products.                              

Split screen

A split-screen layout breaks down the website content into two different sections that users can choose among. This layout is basically used by those organizations and companies that focus on two pieces of content with equal importance in their business processes.
For example, a clothing company that offers both men’s and women’s clothing might use this layout to advertise its products. Providing both options on the front page of the website will offer users to choose any as per their requirements. This also means that both the sections carry equal importance at the same time.

Fixed sidebar

The fixed sidebar layout places menu bar options from the left to right side of the website. This type of design provides easy and quick navigation to its users, allowing its visitors to explore the website more easily. 
A fixed sidebar layout is a great option for those websites that deal with fixed products and services on a large scale. For example, a smartwatches company uses a fixed sidebar design, while some sites even include about us, online store, and contact us pages.

Magazine

The magazine layout design features publications industries. The layout offers a lot of information to its users by using a card grid system of columns and grids to help visitors to navigate the website more easily. 
The magazine layout design is mostly used by publications industries to find out how their content will look if they print out the content. This can be engaging and fun-loving for its users, which encourages them to read more articles and keep on exploring.

Asymmetrical layout

Asymmetry layout is known as an uneven design, which means that there is a lack of equality on both sides of the website. One side of the webpage will always be larger than the other. It is a long-time favorite design in the graphic world, and recently, it has gained popularity among designers. 
For example, companies may use the large part of the webpage to display their logo or tagline, while a smaller part is used for call-to-action asking users to subscribe to a newsletter, fill out the form, or get updates about the upcoming offers. The smaller part always encourages users to take action and get engaged with the company. 

Featured image

The featured image layout uses the primary image that represents your website, which attracts more users. Featured is normally a product image that is popular, upcoming, or the business is selling. 
Companies that sell authentic products often use this layout to catch users’ attention and encourage them to take quick action. For example, laptops and computer companies use this pattern to display their latest products.

Curated visuals

The curated visual layout is something different from website design among others. As it uses illustrated images to promote its products and services, which seems like everything has been put down in one place. Everything seems to be different yet came to the same place. 
Companies or organizations normally use a curated visual layout to convey a certain emotion to their users and feel it when they visit the website. This type of webpage can motivate the users to interact with the company and probably purchase their products and services.