Blog Widths - Are the standards changing?

[ses5909]

A few months back I had a redesign of my blog and I wanted something different for it. I didn't want to go all fluid or have a width of 800px. I wanted something in between. You can see below:

http://www.ilovecode.com

With designs that have more than one sidebar, 800px is really just too small. Are standards changing in what is acceptable for a blog layout?

[Jeremy]

I really like the layout you have now. Prior to my current design I had a fixed 800 width with one sidebar, and I hated it. On my widescreen 20" monitor it was so much wasted space. Then I tried a fluid layout and I ran into too many issues where things weren't displaying how I wanted on the tremendous number of browser window size and resolution combinations out there. I hate the fact that I couldn't ensure everyone would see things exactly the same.

So, after looking at my stats I only have about 5% of users using 800x600. So with that I just went ahead with a slightly wider fixed layout and an additional sidebar and kept the content on the left so that the few 800x600 users I do have will at least be presented with the full post content in view without horizontally scrolling.

Might not be the ideal solution, but it works for my needs :)

[Dan Schulz]

To be honest, I don't care one iota about "blog layouts" - a blog is just another Web site to me, but with a more personal feel. What really gets me though are the standard "bloggy" layouts and the bad reputation they've received, especially among clients who are turned off to WordPress on the sole grounds that they "don't want [their] site to look like a blog" even though it's a wonderful content management system.

So in that regard, I treat blogs as just any other Web site, subject to the same rules as the rest of the Web. Make them accessible, make them usable, and make them well.

[ses5909]

yes but typically blogs have that mandatory sidebar element that not all websites have. Users expect certain things to be in certain places on a blog that they don't seem to demand as much in a traditional website.

[t(-.-t)]

You shouldn't really treat a blog differently than any other website. If your audience can handle a wider layout then go for it.

[Dan Schulz]

Exactly. I'm contemplating going with a three column layout for my personal site/blog (Sara, you know which one I'm talking about - I already showed it to you). Don't expect it to look like a blog, but it'll definately act like one. :)

[jlee]

Hmm I prefer wider layouts on most websites, preferrably fluid. I've changed mine a few times because I thought it was too wide and then too short. Now I just leave it alone!

[Bloggeries]

I have a 3 column and had to go 1024. Less than 10% of my traffic is 800X600 and with 3 columns I can fit so much more into my first fold. I'd say it's time to go for it if your niche is remotely webmaster related. I'd assume most of those still on lower resolutions aren't as "techy"

[goldfries]

initially i had layout my site for 800px, but come to think of it - screw it.

most people don't use that resolution already.

i went for something that's close to 1024 and went for a 3 column look instead.

To be honest, I don't care one iota about "blog layouts" - a blog is just another Web site to me.......

.....So in that regard, I treat blogs as just any other Web site, subject to the same rules as the rest of the Web. Make them accessible, make them usable, and make them well.

:D well a website is not a blog, but a blog is a website.

and accessibility, usability - it's all part of a blog design, which involves colors, designs and layout.

so yeah - you DO care!!! :cool:

[millzee11]

A few months back I had a redesign of my blog and I wanted something different for it. I didn't want to go all fluid or have a width of 800px. I wanted something in between. You can see below:

http://www.ilovecode.com

With designs that have more than one sidebar, 800px is really just too small. Are standards changing in what is acceptable for a blog layout?

I would just design it for how you like to see it and you should be okay.

[t(-.-t)]

I'd assume most of those still on lower resolutions aren't as "techy"
Nokia 770 (http://www.google.com/products?q=nokia+770&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=XeV&um=1&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=title). Big nerd toy, 800x480 resolution, uses screen stylesheets. :/

[deronsizemore]

I have my site width fixed to fit just inside of 1024. If a user does by chance (I don't have many) use 800x600 then the only thing that gets cut off is my right sidebar which doesn't have much right now.