Best practices for organizing web pages

Introduction

The proper organization of web pages is essential to ensure that content is accessible, understandable, and easy to navigate for all users. Appropriately using semantic elements like <section>, <nav>, and <article> not only enhances the document structure but also facilitates its interpretation by assistive technologies, such as screen readers.

In this chapter, we will explore how to use these elements to create a solid and accessible document structure, establish a coherent heading hierarchy, and group related elements to improve the user experience.

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Chapter objectives

1. Use of <section>, <nav>, and <article>: You will learn to use these semantic elements to organize content logically and accessibly.

2. Creating a Solid Structure: We will establish a clear and coherent hierarchy of headings and sections.

3. Heading Hierarchy and Grouping Elements: We will see how to appropriately structure headings and how to group related elements to enhance accessibility and usability.

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Importance of organizing a web application

The proper organization of applications brings multiple benefits:

1. Accessibility: It facilitates navigation and understanding of content for users with disabilities, improving interoperability with assistive technologies.

2. SEO: It enhances search engine optimization by providing a clear and semantic content structure.

3. Usability: It makes the site more intuitive and easier to use for all users.

4. Maintainability: It simplifies site updates and maintenance since a clear structure is easier to understand and modify.

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Chapter content

1. Use of semantic elements

1.1 <section>

The <section> element is used to group related content. It is ideal for dividing the page into logical sections that facilitate navigation and understanding of the content. Each <section> should have a header (<h2>, <h3>, etc.) that describes its purpose, thus improving accessibility.

Example:

<section> 
  <h2>Recent News</h2>
  <p>News content...</p>
</section>

1.2 <nav>

The <nav> element is used to define navigation sections on the page. It is essential for creating accessible navigation menus, as screen readers use this element to identify navigation areas.

Example:

<nav>
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
    <li><a href="#services">Services</a></li>
    <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

1.3 <article>

The <article> element represents independent and self-contained content that can be distributed independently, such as blog posts or news articles.

Example:

<article>
  <h2>Article Title</h2>
  <p>Article content...</p>
</article>

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2. Creating a solid document structure

2.1 Heading hierarchy

A well-defined heading hierarchy enhances the accessibility and usability of the page. Use headings (<h1> to <h6>) consistently to establish the structure of the content. The <h1> heading should be used once per page for the main title, while other headings (<h2>, <h3>, etc.) are used for subtitles and subsections.

Example:

<h1>Main Title</h1>
<h2>Subtitle</h2>
<h3>Section</h3>

2.2 Grouping related elements

Grouping related elements using semantic containers like <div>, <section>, and <article> improves the organization and accessibility of the content. This facilitates navigation and understanding for both users and assistive technologies.

Example:

<section>
  <h2>Services</h2>
  <div>
    <h3>Consulting</h3>
    <p>We offer consulting services...</p>
  </div>
  <div>
    <h3>Development</h3>
    <p>We offer development services...</p>
  </div>
</section>

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3. Best practices for page organization

3.1 Consistency in structure

Maintain a consistent structure across all pages of your website to facilitate navigation and understanding. Consistency helps users become familiar with the layout, making navigation easier.

Example:

<!-- Home Page -->
<header>
  <nav>
    <ul>
      <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
      <li><a href="#services">Services</a></li>
      <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
    </ul>
  </nav>
</header>
<main>
  <section>
    <h1>Welcome to Our Site</h1>
    <p>Welcome text...</p>
  </section>
</main>
<footer>
  <p>&copy; 2023 Company Name</p>
</footer>

3.2 Use of ARIA Roles

Use ARIA roles (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) when necessary to enhance the accessibility of semantic elements. ARIA roles provide additional information to assistive technologies.

Example:

<nav role="navigation">
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
    <li><a href="#services">Services</a></li>
    <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
  </ul>
</nav>

3.3 Comments in code

Use comments in the code to explain complex or important sections, facilitating maintainability and collaboration among developers. They are especially useful in large projects.

Example:

<!-- Start of the services section -->
<section>
  <h2>Services</h2>
  ...
</section>
<!-- End of the services section -->

3.4 HTML validation

Ensure that your HTML is valid and follows W3C standards. Use validation tools to check the accessibility and correctness of the structure.

Example: You can use the W3C Markup Validation Service to validate your HTML.

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Conclusion

By the end of this chapter, you will have a solid understanding of how to properly organize the pages of your website using semantic elements and good HTML practices. This organization will not only improve the accessibility and usability of your site but also facilitate its maintenance and updates.

By following these practices and leveraging the right tools, you can create accessible websites for all users, regardless of their abilities, and provide a consistent and pleasant user experience.