The present invention includes systems and methods for customization of internet applications and HTML based interfaces. Multiple levels of customization are applied to both static and functional aspects of user interface elements including, for example, user interface element order, alternative layout modes, tab-order, tab-over, immediate access keys, and hotkeys. The alternative layout modes included layout modes configured for presentation of an HTML based interface as streaming text and as an audio output. Customization is also achieved with respect to searching over multiple user interfaces, presentation of information on a user interface, the interaction model used by the internet application and user interface element order. Customization is enabled on any client supporting standard browser functionality.