Website Dimensions

[Gusstapian]

Hey, I'm currently making a website for a major project and i'm wondering what dimensions my website should be, one that pleases all monitors and that fits perfectly in the screen.

I'm thinking 800 x 600

Any suggestions?

[aj_nsc]

Keep in mind that 800x600 resolution translates to 792px x (>=429px depending on toolbars, etc) viewport width x height. It depends who your target audience is....personally, I am starting to phase out my designs to suit 800x600 resolution screens simply because it is quite small and is down to less than 7% of web users according to this (http://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php). My minimum design is now usually for 1024x768 (1016px x >= 597px)

[toicontien]

I second designing for 1024 screens. Also bear in mind that those with 800 wide screens are probably low sighted people. Design your layout to look best at 1024 wide, but also still usable at 800 wide, though they will have horizontal scrollbars.

[tracknut]

I second designing for 1024 screens. Also bear in mind that those with 800 wide screens are probably low sighted people. Design your layout to look best at 1024 wide, but also still usable at 800 wide, though they will have horizontal scrollbars.

I'm not sure how you get to the low-sighted people issue, but did you have a recommendation in mind regarding how to design a site to handle that (as well as for high-sighted people?)

Dave

[KDLA]

I'm not sure how you get to the low-sighted people issue, but did you have a recommendation in mind regarding how to design a site to handle that (as well as for high-sighted people?)

Dave
We have several employees who have their monitors set to 800x600 because they don't want to wear their glasses when reading web text.

I design the "main" section at 790px, and try to keep everything "needed" in this this column, so the visitor has minimal scrolling.

[Eye for Video]

The above comments are very good and I would like to add another.
How soon do you expect to do a re-design of the site?
2 or 3 years ago you may have had the same comments about designing for 800 wide screens. Because of that, there are a whole lot of sites out there that look old fashion, not up to date, ready for a complete re-design. Leave the impression that you are ahead of the curve, not behind it.
My suggestion, plan at least one year in advance. What monitors will users be using one year from now? Well for one thing, no one will be buying 800 wide monitors. And those that need glasses (like me) will probably have a newer monitor.
If that doesn’t convince you to design wwwwiiidddeerrrr, please look at a 800 wide site on a newer 1200+ wide monitor.
Eye for Video
www.cidigitalmedia.com