What is a Layout?
A layout is basically just how a page is organized. It can even be a page in real life, like the layout of a magazine's page. Online, it usually consists of four main elements- banner/logo, page name, links, and the content.
Of course, layouts aren't always the exact same way as it is in the picture. That's just an example of a layout with all the main elements.
If you don't have a banner or logo, your site will appear nameless, even if you have it in the title! A logo is just your site name, but in a special font and maybe with a special picture that distinguishes your site from another. It's like a company logo. :) More commonly people have banners. A banner is just a picture with some designs that match the rest of your layout and your site name. It is very important to have your site name on your banner, if you choose to have a banner instead of a logo. Otherwise, how does anyone know what site they're at?
The page name is the the name of the page displayed under your banner/logo and above the content. For example, it might say 'Backgrounds.' While a page may look better without a page name on it, you really do need to have page names. If someone just randomly finds one of your pages, they won't know where they are or what's going on.
Links, or a site's navigation, are commonly displayed on the left hand side of a site, but they can be on the right, the top, or right and left. It's really up to you how you want them to be, but make sure you don't have any mystery buttons. Mystery buttons are just images that don't say what page they go to. Even if you have a rollover with the page name or an alt tag, it's not good enough.
^ not good. it doesn't say where they go
As for the content, it is below the page name and banner/logo, and either next to or under the links. It's just whatever is on that page, like blinkies or something. :)
