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Spacing & Layout

Proper spacing and layout create breathing room, visual hierarchy, and professional polish. AI Section Builder handles most spacing automatically, but understanding how it works helps you create more effective pages. This guide explains the spacing system and shows you how layout choices impact your content's effectiveness.

Understanding the Spacing System​

Automatic Spacing Management​

AI Section Builder uses a systematic spacing approach that:

  • Maintains consistency across all sections and content types
  • Adapts responsively to different screen sizes
  • Creates visual hierarchy through proportional spacing
  • Reduces decision fatigue by handling details automatically

You don't need to worry about:

  • Pixel-perfect spacing measurements
  • Responsive spacing adjustments
  • Consistency between different sections
  • Technical spacing implementation

You should focus on:

  • Content organization and flow
  • Layout variants that suit your content
  • Section arrangement and order
  • Content density and readability

Visual Hierarchy Through Spacing​

More space = More importance

  • Elements with more space around them appear more significant
  • Strategic spacing guides visitor attention
  • Consistent spacing creates professional appearance
  • Proper spacing improves readability and comprehension

Layout Variants and Their Impact​

Content-Left Layout (Default)​

Best for:

  • Text-heavy content where reading flow is important
  • Professional services with detailed explanations
  • Educational content that requires careful reading
  • Western audiences who read left-to-right

Visual characteristics:

  • Text content aligns to the left
  • Creates natural reading flow
  • Works well with longer paragraphs
  • Feels familiar and comfortable

When to use:

  • Most business content
  • Detailed service descriptions
  • Blog-style content within sections
  • When readability is the top priority

Content-Right Layout​

Best for:

  • Visual content where images or graphics are primary
  • Creative presentations with artistic layouts
  • Variety in page flow when mixing with content-left sections
  • Drawing attention to specific sections

Visual characteristics:

  • Text content aligns to the right
  • Creates visual interest through asymmetry
  • Balances image-heavy content
  • Breaks up predictable patterns

When to use:

  • Alternating with content-left for variety
  • Sections with strong visual elements
  • Creative or artistic content
  • Breaking up long pages

Center Layout​

Best for:

  • Announcement-style content like company news
  • Call-to-action sections requiring focused attention
  • Hero sections with central messages
  • Testimonials and social proof

Visual characteristics:

  • All content centrally aligned
  • Creates focal points and emphasis
  • Feels formal and authoritative
  • Works well for shorter content blocks

When to use:

  • Important announcements or news
  • Primary call-to-action sections
  • Testimonial highlights
  • Statistics and key metrics

Section Arrangement and Page Flow​

Creating Effective Page Flow​

Start Strong: Begin with your most compelling content

  • Hero section with clear value proposition
  • Strong visual or powerful statement
  • Immediate answer to "What's in it for me?"

Build Interest: Develop your argument or story

  • Features that support your main message
  • Evidence like statistics or testimonials
  • Educational content that demonstrates expertise

Handle Objections: Address common concerns

  • FAQ sections for common questions
  • Testimonials for social proof
  • Clear processes to reduce anxiety

Drive Action: Make it easy to take the next step

  • Clear, prominent call-to-action buttons
  • Contact information and forms
  • Multiple ways to engage

Mixing Layout Variants​

Alternating pattern:

Hero Section (Center)
Features (Content-Left)
Stats (Content-Right)
Testimonials (Center)
FAQ (Content-Left)
Contact (Center)

Why this works:

  • Creates visual rhythm and interest
  • Prevents monotonous appearance
  • Guides eye movement down the page
  • Maintains engagement through variety

Content Density and Readability​

Balancing Information and Space​

High-density content (more information, less space):

  • Good for: Detailed services, comprehensive information
  • Risk: Can feel overwhelming or cramped
  • Use when: Visitors expect detailed information

Low-density content (less information, more space):

  • Good for: Premium brands, simple messages, emotional impact
  • Risk: May not provide enough information
  • Use when: Simplicity and elegance are priorities

Section Length Considerations​

Shorter sections:

  • Easier to scan and digest
  • Good for mobile viewing
  • Maintain attention better
  • Work well for simple concepts

Longer sections:

  • Can provide comprehensive information
  • Good for complex topics
  • May lose visitor attention
  • Should be well-organized with clear hierarchy

Responsive Layout Behavior​

How Layouts Adapt to Screen Sizes​

Desktop (1024px and up):

  • Full layout variants display as intended
  • Maximum spacing for comfortable viewing
  • Multi-column content where appropriate
  • Full visual hierarchy maintained

Tablet (768px - 1023px):

  • Reduced spacing but maintained proportions
  • Some content may stack earlier
  • Touch-friendly spacing between elements
  • Optimized for both portrait and landscape

Mobile (under 768px):

  • All content becomes single-column
  • Spacing optimizes for thumb navigation
  • Text sizes adjust for readability
  • Simplified layouts for small screens

Mobile-First Considerations​

All sections automatically:

  • Stack content vertically on mobile
  • Maintain readable text sizes
  • Provide adequate touch targets
  • Optimize spacing for small screens

You should consider:

  • How much content works well on mobile
  • Whether long sections need breaking up
  • If images are still effective at mobile sizes
  • Whether your message remains clear

Working with Grid Layouts​

Grid Column Options​

Many sections offer grid layout controls:

2 Columns:

  • Good for detailed content requiring more space
  • Works well on tablets and mobile
  • Allows longer descriptions or larger images
  • Creates cleaner, less cluttered appearance

3 Columns (Most Common):

  • Standard for most business content
  • Good balance of content and efficiency
  • Works well across all device sizes
  • Professional appearance for most industries

4 Columns:

  • Good for compact information display
  • Works best with shorter content blocks
  • May be too crowded on smaller screens
  • Good for simple lists or brief features

Grid Layout Best Practices​

Content consistency:

  • Keep similar content lengths in grid items
  • Use similar image sizes across items
  • Maintain consistent content types within grids
  • Avoid mixing detailed and brief content

Visual balance:

  • Images should be similar sizes and styles
  • Headlines should be roughly similar lengths
  • Content blocks should have similar information density
  • Maintain visual weight across grid items

Advanced Layout Techniques​

Creating Visual Rhythm​

Consistent section pattern:

  • Repeat successful layout patterns
  • Alternate layouts for variety
  • Maintain consistent spacing between sections
  • Use similar content structures

Breaking patterns strategically:

  • Use center layout for important announcements
  • Change layout variants to refocus attention
  • Vary grid columns for different content types
  • Insert full-width sections for emphasis

Section Spacing Coordination​

Sections work together:

  • Each section has appropriate spacing from others
  • Related content sections can be placed adjacently
  • Contrasting content benefits from more separation
  • Visual breaks help organize long pages

Page rhythm:

  • Varying section lengths creates interesting rhythm
  • Consistent spacing creates professional appearance
  • Strategic breaks help visitors process information
  • Flow should guide toward your main goals

Common Layout Mistakes​

Avoid These Problems​

Too much sameness:

  • All sections using the same layout variant
  • Consistent grid columns without considering content
  • No visual breaks or rhythm changes
  • Monotonous appearance that loses attention

Inconsistent content density:

  • Mixing very detailed and very brief content randomly
  • Inconsistent image sizes within grid sections
  • Varying content lengths without purpose
  • No clear hierarchy of information importance

Poor mobile consideration:

  • Content that doesn't work well on mobile
  • Images that become too small on phones
  • Text blocks that are too long for mobile reading
  • Complex layouts that break on small screens

Ignoring content flow:

  • Important information buried in less prominent layouts
  • Call-to-action sections not given appropriate emphasis
  • Logical flow that doesn't guide toward goals
  • Missing transitions between different content types

Layout Testing and Optimization​

Visual Testing Process​

Different screen sizes:

  • Test on actual mobile devices, not just narrow browser windows
  • Check tablets in both portrait and landscape orientations
  • Verify desktop displays work across different monitor sizes
  • Pay attention to content readability at each size

Content variation:

  • Test with actual content, not placeholder text
  • Try shorter and longer content in the same layouts
  • Check how images of different sizes affect layouts
  • Verify grid layouts work with varying content lengths

User Experience Testing​

Reading flow:

  • Follow the eye movement down your page
  • Check that important information gets appropriate attention
  • Verify that call-to-action elements are prominently placed
  • Ensure logical progression toward your goals

Engagement metrics:

  • Monitor where visitors spend time on your pages
  • Check where visitors typically stop reading
  • Identify which sections get the most interaction
  • Adjust layout emphasis based on visitor behavior

Optimizing for Your Goals​

Lead Generation Focus​

Layout priorities:

  • Make contact forms prominently visible
  • Use center layout for call-to-action sections
  • Position testimonials near conversion points
  • Create clear visual path toward contact information

Educational Content Focus​

Layout priorities:

  • Use content-left for comfortable reading
  • Break up long content with visual elements
  • Organize information in logical, teachable sequences
  • Provide clear navigation through complex topics

E-commerce Focus​

Layout priorities:

  • Highlight product benefits prominently
  • Use grids effectively for product comparisons
  • Position pricing information for easy comparison
  • Create clear path from interest to purchase

Next Steps​

Now that you understand spacing and layout:

  1. Review your current page layout for effectiveness and flow
  2. Learn about Theme Variants for mood and atmosphere
  3. Explore Colors & Branding to complement your layout choices
  4. Practice with Working with Sections

Need More Help?​

Remember: Great layout should feel natural and guide visitors smoothly toward your goals. The best spacing is often invisible - it just makes everything feel right!