Because users can resize their browser‘s window at will, how your site appears on any given system is highly unpredictable.
Before deciding your layout it is necessary to understand some basic facts:
- Users hate scrolling
- Users REALLY hate horizontal scrolling
- Most monitors nowadays are set to at least 800 x 600
- Many users reduce the browser window and “park” it on the side of the screen
- Long lines of text are difficult to read
- Unless the visitor can find, at least, a route to what they want in under 30 secs. they will leave.
- A crowded and “busy” page is a big turn off
- Ideally you need to grab the visitor's attention in a screen area of 600 x 400 pixels
(the grey area of this page)
As illustration below we show a screen shot of my monitor (Whilst designing this site) with the web page that I was using for reference outlined in red.
[My monitor is 18in. set to 1152 x 864 resolution, but still less than half the page is showing]
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Introduction | Why do I need a Web Site? | Launching into cyber space | Define your message | Database driven sites | Colour scheme and styles | Design and publication | Hosting | Promotion and Maintenance | Web Site Prices | Upgrade your web site | Web Doctor | Search Engine Optimisation | Database Solutions | Your Colour Scheme | Effects | Fonts and the Internet | Frames | Layout of your Site| Contact | Why Us? | Principles | While away some time
