Think 1024 not 800

It’s true, most people have their computer screen settings set for 1024 or greater in width. Around 2006 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an article that reported finding more than ninety percent do. That was 2006, this is 2008. Still today, I find an incredible amount of sites built for 800 that are new sites. For those of you that are guilty of this, or just guilty of having a predefined width here are a couple of reasons why you need to get with the times.

Fluid is Timeless

I can only guess that by 2010 someone may find this article, and simply laugh at the thought of setting a website width to a mere 1,000 pixels wide. If you haven’t noticed, over the years, monitor resolution keeps improving. Want to make your site appear correctly for both new and old? Set your width to percentage. By the way, most people prefer fluid sites. When I think 800 pixels wide, I think that old monochrome monitor I have in my garage that is covered by dust sitting next to my 286 computer. I hope that is not what your site looks like.

Get More Action

I think we all know that ads, and desired actions perform better when they are above the fold. If your site is designed for 800 or even 1,000 in width visitors will most likely have to scroll down more to see all of your content. When your site is designed to be wider not longer, visitors see your content right away, and that next mouse action could be for ordering not scrolling. Make use of the screen, not the scroll bar.