This is and will be an ever-changing consideration, but research has shown that the current optimum width is 960px or thereabouts, and the average page-fold is 700px. While it is important to keep the primary page content above the fold, users are happy to scroll down to additional content if the visual clues are there to encourage them, so don’t try to cram everything in at the top.
Accommodating 800px Wide Monitors
For the 4.5% (and falling) of users with a 800px wide monitor there are design methods we can employ to ensure the primary content is still available to the user. It is likely in the UK that there are far less than 4.5% of users with this antiquated monitor size.
The design for one of our clients, Geometric Serviced Apartments is a good case in point. It is an accommodation provider with global target market.
The website design was split into 3 columns: 2 sidebars and a central main column. All 3 fit nicely within a 1024px wide screen, whereas the 3rd column will be lost on a 800px wide screen.
This 3rd column contains useful but not critical information, and the links to that information can also be found in other areas of the site.
Initially we implemented a little javascript to detect screen width and hide the 3rd column from 800px wide screens entirely, so that no horizontal scroll-bar would be visible. However once the website was up and running we soon discovered that the percentage of users with 800px screens was less than 1.5% so have now removed the javascript.
Mobile Screen Resolutions
Of course, as more and more mobile devices offer a full internet browsing experience, the percentages of small monitor sizes are going to rise in website visitor statistics. These are best handled using separate designs and style sheets.
