Good Spacing Makes Your Website Easier to Read
TL;DR:
- Proper spacing stops your content from blending together into a mess
- Group related content closely, space out unrelated content widely
- Space works better than lines or dividers for separating ideas
- Consistent spacing across all pages creates a cohesive look
- Test different spacing options in a staging environment first
When elements on your website are crammed together, visitors can't tell where one idea ends and another begins. Your content becomes a wall of text that nobody wants to read.
Good spacing acts like a silent guide, moving people through your content without them even noticing. It's one of those things that's invisible when done right, but obvious when it's wrong.
Why Spacing Matters
Without proper spacing, your website becomes hard work. People have to concentrate just to figure out what goes with what. That's not the experience you want to create.
Think of spacing as the breathing room your content needs. It gives visitors' eyes a place to rest and helps them process information at a comfortable pace.
How to Get Spacing Right
Group related content together. When things belong together, keep them close. This tells visitors that the content is connected in meaning or purpose.
Space out unrelated elements. Put more distance between different ideas or sections. This creates natural breaks that help people navigate your information quickly.
Keep it consistent. Use the same spacing patterns across all your pages. This creates a cohesive feel that makes your whole website look intentional and professional.
Test before you publish. Try different spacing options in a staging environment. What looks good in your head might not work in practice, and you don't want to mess up your live site while you figure it out.
Common Spacing Mistakes
Don't rely on lines and dividers to separate everything. Space often works better and looks cleaner.
Avoid making everything the same distance apart. Different types of content need different amounts of space.
Don't forget about mobile. Spacing that works on desktop might be too tight or too loose on smaller screens.
FAQs
How do I know if I'm using the right amount of space?
Step back and look at your page with fresh eyes. If you can quickly identify different sections and related content groups, you're on the right track. If everything blurs together or feels disconnected, adjust accordingly.
Are there tools to help with spacing decisions?
Most website builders have built-in spacing controls. Squarespace 7.1 has flexible spacing options in the design panel. You can also use browser developer tools to experiment with different values before making changes.
What's the biggest spacing mistake people make?
Making everything equidistant. Not all content needs the same amount of space. Headlines need more space above them than below, and related items should be closer together than unrelated ones.
Jargon Buster
Margin – The space outside an element's border. This pushes other elements away and creates breathing room around your content.
Padding – The space inside an element's border, between the border and the actual content. This stops text from cramming up against the edges.
Whitespace – Empty areas on your webpage that aren't occupied by content. Despite the name, it doesn't have to be white. It's any empty space that gives your design room to breathe.
Wrap-up
Good spacing is invisible design. When it's done right, people don't notice it. They just find your website easy to read and navigate.
Start by grouping related content and spacing out unrelated elements. Keep your spacing consistent across pages, and always test changes before they go live.
The difference between cramped, hard-to-read content and a clean, professional website often comes down to spacing. It's worth getting right.
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