How I Overcame Challenges Adding Side Images to My Website

 How I Overcame Challenges Adding Side Images to My Website

When designing my website about sacred places in Sri Lanka, I wanted to create a visually appealing layout with side images on the homepage. However, implementing this feature turned out to be more challenging than I initially thought. Here’s how I navigated the process and solved the issues along the way.

Understanding the Problem

My goal was to display a series of images on the side of the homepage while keeping the main content in focus. Initially, I tried to position the images using basic HTML and inline CSS, but the layout didn’t look right. The images were either overlapping the content or not aligning properly, especially on different screen sizes.

Learning the Right Techniques

To fix these issues, I explored two powerful CSS techniques: Flexbox and Grid Layout. Here’s what I learned:

1. Flexbox for Simple Layouts: Flexbox allowed me to align items horizontally and vertically with ease. However, it wasn’t ideal for complex layouts with multiple sections.

2. Grid Layout for Complex Designs: CSS Grid gave me more control over dividing the page into distinct sections. It helped me create a responsive layout where the side images and main content adjusted beautifully across all screen sizes.

Implementing the Solution

After learning about Flexbox and Grid, I applied the following steps:

1. Setting Up a Grid Layout: I used a two-column grid layout. One column was reserved for the side images, and the other for the main content.

2. Adding Side Images: I inserted high-quality images of sacred places in Sri Lanka into the side column. Each image was styled to maintain its aspect ratio and fit perfectly within its space.

3. Ensuring Responsiveness: Using media queries, I adjusted the layout for smaller screens. On mobile devices, the side images stacked below the main content for a seamless viewing experience.

The Final Result

The final design was both functional and visually appealing. The side images complemented the main content without overpowering it, creating a balanced and engaging user experience. Moreover, the responsive design ensured the layout worked smoothly on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

Lessons Learned

This experience taught me valuable lessons about web design:

Planning is Key: A clear understanding of layout goals can save time.

Explore CSS Tools: Flexbox and Grid are powerful tools for creating responsive and flexible designs.

Test on Multiple Devices: Always test your design on different screen sizes to ensure a consistent user experience.

Conclusion

Adding side images to my homepage was a challenging but rewarding task. By learning and applying advanced CSS techniques, I was able to create a layout that not only looked great but also provided a better user experience. If you’re working on a similar project, don’t be afraid to experiment with new tools and techniques—it’s all part of the journey!