Variable Width Pages

Variable Dimension Web Page Templates: (adjusts to display view size)

Many of our eVetsite templates are varible layouts which change based on percentages of the browser window’s size. That is, they are flexible with the size of the windows as the user changes their window size. Variable or 'liquid' layouts use the screen space more efficiently for most screen resolution or browser windows sizes. The web page you are viewing right now is a 'variable' page. You can change the view size and notice how the text changes or "wraps" as necessary.

Our 'Scenic' template shown below is a variable page layout.

Pros and Cons of Fixed vs Variable Web Pages

Fixed width layout (or variable using page tables)

Pros:

Guarantees an easy to read text line length
Allows images to be placed exactly in relation to other elements and type sizes
Allows designer full control over how the page is displayed (as opposed to the user)

Cons:

May create a type size that is not optimal
Takes control over page size and text size away from the user.
Doesn't take advantage of screen real estate and may produce large unused portions of window space that could potentially increase the amount of scrolling users have to do (this is especially true at higher resolutions)

Variable layout

Pros:

Allows for maximum use of space or screen real-estate. Also allows the most control over sizing by the user, because a user can resize the website to their preferences.
Allows text size to be changeable by user preferences, making it easy for people with vision problems to increase or decrease the text size on the page while the layout adjusts around the increased size automatically.
When designed correctly, it sets your website look slightly apart from competitors, considering most websites use a fixed layout.

Cons :

If the screen-size becomes too large or too small it can change text to image layout if text is set to "wrap" around images
As the website size changes, the image size to text proportion may create a less desirable look.

Recommendations:

Most websites should probably be designed with a fixed or "semi" fixed layout (page with tables). It guarantees readability and perfect presentation of content. With that said, if your website contains a large amount of text based content (more than 3-5 paragraphs per page) or if the website would greatly benefit from a non-standard design scheme, use a variable page.

If you're still not sure, start with a fixed page. A fixed layout is easy to maintain, and assures readability by all users. A poorly done variable layout will cause more problems than it will fix and annoy potential users.