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Please Stop Resizing My Browser

Just a quick note in case you're involved in any way, shape or form with website design (yours or anyone else's):
When you code a website to automatically resize my web browser window to accommodate your site, it sends the message that your site is far more important than my own personal preferences.
And are you really, absolutely sure that this is a message you want to send to your site users? If you're an ultra luxury goods brand, of course, then perhaps that message isn't so far-fetched. But if you're trying to establish a little rapport with your visitor, trying to strengthen a relationship and build loyalty, taking control of my computer just to showcase your site isn't the best way to do it.

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Jul 16, 2008 :: 2 Comments | Digg | Stumble | Del.icio.us

2 Comments:

Blogger JL said...

That's a good point, but then I also assume I need to design for the lowest common denominator browser wise, meaning I design the site assuming they have a 800 x 600 resolution. Is that also short sighted thinking?

8/5/08 12:13 PM  
Blogger Jessie Jane said...

Hi JL,

I don't think designing for an 800 x 600 browser is short sighted at all, given you want the site to be accessible to everyone. But now that new monitors are generally able to easily handle at least 1024 x 768 as a minimum, many designers are using that as their "lowest common denominator."

That said, there are several caveats to remember when making the decision to move up in site width (height is less of a consideration):

1. What kind of gear does the majority of site visitors use? If they're likely to be on older equipment, designing for 800 x 600 may make more sense. If possible, track site visitors using StatCounter or Google Analytics before the redesign to determine this.

2. Keep in mind that users may resize their browsers to personal preference - not everyone maximizes their browser window to cover the full screen.

3. Don't forget about other browser real estate that may take up screen space, such as menus and toolbars.

Many designers opt for 960px as an optimal width, because it's easily divided into a clean grid any number of ways, while still fitting the bulk of computer screens.

There are a couple of good explorations here and here (be sure to read the comments).

Best,
Jess

8/5/08 12:45 PM  

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