Fixed Or Liquid Layouts For Your Web Design

Web pages can be designed with either a fixed or liquid layout to contain the page itself. Both have their limitations and each has its own advantages meaning that the choice of which to use will depend largely on a page's use and, like a lot of web design, personal preference. There are certain aspects to each type of web design that you should consider before making your final decision.

Fixed width web design creates a page that remains the same width regardless of the size of the browser window. This allows the web designer greater control over the precise look of the page but it has the major drawback that it may require a lot of horizontal as well as vertical scrolling for smaller browser windows. Many visitors do not enjoy horizontal browsing.

Liquid width pages are more difficult to control for the web designer, and in some instances a certain part of the content (such as an image) can become overwhelming on the page. In small browser windows text and other elements can become very small and difficult or even impossible to scan comfortably.

As with many components in web design there is the option to combine the two methods and a semi liquid layout approach may be the most suitable. Large amounts of text generally work better in a fixed layout while the rest of the design for a page can be created using a more liquid web design approach providing the best of both worlds for you and your visitors.