A footer is text or graphics that appears at the bottom of the page. As with the headers, footers should be similar throughout the web site. Footers might include site or agency logos, contact addresses, and feedback requests. Sidebars Use sidebars judiciously, using headers and footers whenever possible. An alternative to both headers and footers is a sidebar, which is a vertical column of text located typically along the left edge of the page.
Sidebars often contain the elements commonly found in headers and footers.
The advantage of a sidebar is that, unlike a header, it does not push the main contents farther down the page and, unlike footers, it is visible when the page is first loaded. A sidebar allows prominent display of a large number of links or small, featured bits of information, without pushing other content completely off the first screen. The sidebar, therefore, can function as a navigational element. The disadvantage of using a sidebar as a navigation aid is that it reduces the width available for each line of text, which is particularly a problem on small monitors, laptops or for users who choose not to use their browser full screen. It is worth noting that if tables are used to create a sidebar, the page may not load as quickly because most browsers do not render elements until the entire table has arrived.