The present invention provides systems and methods for creating and editing electronic layouts, such as layouts used to create web pages, via digital networks. An exemplary system for creating an electronic layout suitably includes a server, a network, a database and one or more user interfaces. The server may suitably provide a layout editor configured to place one or more containers, areas and/or spacers onto a layout panel in response to inputs from a user and a layout manager configured to validate properties of the layout and to generate the layout. An exemplary method for creating a document layout suitably includes displaying a layout panel; placing at least one container on the layout panel to create the layout, the container comprising a software object representing a visual element; and storing the layout in a database for future use and/or editing.