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The fixed width method of sizing a web page does exactly what the name infers. It shows the pages at exactly the same width, no matter what screen size your monitor has. The width of this type of page is normally 800 pixels, as many people still use this size window when browsing the web.
The pages can be aligned to the left hand side of the screen, or centered. I prefer the centered version, as it looks better when viewd on very large screens, rather than have the page bunched up on the left with masses of blank space on the right.
I prefer to design using a fixed width, for one simple reason: No matter what size screen the visitor is using, the content doesn’t become distorted, it stays the same as it was intended to be viewed. This will become clearer when you read the section on the right dealing with variable widths.
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The variable width page expands or contracts depending on the size of the monitor screen in use. If you are viewing on a screen size of 1024 pixels at full screen, the page will be shown at that width. If you then reduce the size of your browser window to 800 x 600, the page will automatically resize itself to 800 pixels wide and nothing will be lost from the sides. You may have noticed this effect when browsing other sites.
There is however, one disadvantage to this format when using images on a page. If you have text wrapped around an image when viewed at 800 pixels, there maybe five or six lines of text next to the image. When you expand the window the text stretches out to one or two lines, but the image will remain the same size, leaving it looking a bit bare. I’ve given a simulated example below.
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This is another debateable subject. In the end it boils down to type of content, and personal preference. The best bet is to strike a happy medium.
If the page is too long it involves constant scrolling. If it’s too short, it increases the numer of pages needed.
If a long page length is unavoidable for any reason, the best thing to do is add text links in the margins leading to separate sections.
The only thing I can think of that merits an extremely long page is if it is made to be printed. If you were supplying an instruction manual for instance. The visitor doesn’t want to sit at the PC changing pages as the printer finishes each one. They would rather leave it to print out the lot, while they have a cup of tea.
I’ve tried to keep the pages fairly short on this site at the same time as giving a reasonable amount of information, by separating the site into different sections.
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The size, and font face of the text used can greatly affect the size of the page. An easy to read font like Veranda or Tahoma can be used at very small sizes and remain readable. When used at medium size, like this, they take up much more space, and if you use a larger size you get even less text in the same space. This makes for longer pages. If fonts like Times Roman are used,they are too difficult to read at small size. Therefore your pages will be twice as long as they need to be. Different fonts are useful to enhance certain sites, but if space is at a premium, stick to ones like Veranda, as used on this site.
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Here is a simulation of a picture on a fixed width page with the descriptive text wrapped around the image.