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September 17, 2004
Blogging 101 - Page Layout
By QBlog in Blogging 101
The Page Layout debate has raged within the Web design community for years.
One side prefers the fluid (or liquid, floating, variable, flexible, stretchy, elastic, resizable, expandable, etc.) layout where the content on a Web page expands to fit the browser. Most of the fluid layout advocates argue that fluid layouts enable a Web page to exploit the space available on higher resolution monitors.
The other side prefers a fixed width (or static) layout arguing that Web usability guidelines demand such width restrictions on text. They concede that fixed width sites often "waste" unused space (on hi-res monitors) but believe that the usability advantages make up for the waste.
I don't seek to end the Page Layout debate as it relates to ALL Web sites but I will try to educate and share my opinions about this debate as it relates specifically to BLOGS.
Fixed of Fluid?
I believe that most blogs (with few exceptions) should utilize a fixed width layout. The problem with a fluid layout is that on hi-res monitors, the content can s t r e t c h across the screen making the text harder to read, not easier.
I've linked an example page showing a fluid width above a fixed width block of text. Take a moment and look at this page. Be sure to maximize your browser (or make it fit the entire width of your monitor). Don't worry, I'll be here when you get back.
Ok, back already? Great. Now you should have clearly seen the difference between the two blocks of text (unless you have an old 640x480 resolution monitor). The variable width block is legible but much harder to read than the fixed width block below. Why is that? Well, when you stretch text out across a page like that, it's harder for the eye to follow and it's easier to get confused about which line you're reading and just makes more work for the reader. And readers are already struggling to read Web pages because "reading from computer screens is tiring for the eyes and about 25 percent slower than reading from paper" (Useit Alertbox)
And so, because most blogs are text-based, bloggers should try to format their blog layout to make it easier for readers to consume. There is not a specific width to use but the 300-500 pixel range seems to work best for most blogs.
The Caveat
Yes, there is a sort of middle ground called "concertina padding." This maintains some of the variable width elements while preventing text from spreading too far across a page. If you simply must have a variable width blog, I recommend using something like "concertina padding."
Why Blogs?
Some have asked me "why should blogs be fixed width and while search engines or Slashdot-styled news portals can get away with variable widths?" That's a good question. My best answer is that most blogs are meant to be read (though they are often scanned prior to reading) and while we like to keep those posts brief, we rarely restrict every post to a specific word count. By contrast, search results and news portals are designed to be scanned rather than read (a teaser style) and are usually limited to a set number of words for each entry.
Conclusion
I obviously advocate fixed width blogs. My blogging experience has shown me that text-heavy sites (like blogs) work best when some width constraints are in place. You may choose to disagree and my only response is that I believe it's ok to do what you feel is best with your blog layout as long as you can clearly explain WHY you've implemented a specific layout design. One of the first rules in art or literature is that it's ok to break or bend rules as long as you know that you're bending or breaking them and can explain why you're doing the bending or breaking.
Now go out there and Fix those Widths!
Blogging 101 publishes every Friday and the archives can be found by typing "Blogging 101" into the blog search. Tune in next Friday when Blogging 101 tackles the controversial topic of "blog comments - to enable or disable?"
Comments
I guess bloggers relying on template based blogs e.g. blogspot etc. don't have much of a choice. Hence exempt. no?
This is a great idea Eric, and very helpful. Maybe you should break it down even more like "blogging for dummies" so that its easy to read for even the newest to the world of internet and blogging. Great stuff!!!
Thanks Eric. Great feature. This is very helpful for those new to the blogging arena.
Posted by: Dave S | September 17, 2004 5:42 PM