Fixed Width vs. Flexible Width – Part Two
On an earlier post I explained the difference between flexible and fixed width website designs. “But how do you switch between the two?” was a question one reader asked. The differences between the two styles are huge. In order to make the change you need a new website design.
The Problem – Appearance
The two issues to consider here are the design’s appearance and the underlying code. We’ll deal with the website appearance first. Let’s take a look at the Charles Dickens website again. Here it is as it normally looks on my monitor:
And here’s how it would appear on a larger screen.
Do you see how the website is designed to flex in the middle section? The website title is centered while the areas on either side expand. The main section of the body expands also while the sidebars stay the same size. A lot of planning went into how this website would look no matter what the screen size.
Here’s one of my favorite examples of a flexible design. My company helped STS Recruiting with a new website design. Here’s how the site looks on my monitor:
And here’s the “flexed” view:
The background in the top right area repeats. No matter what the screen size it looks fine because of the nature of the design. Below the header area (that’s a website term for the top area of the website) the left-hand column stays the same width while the rest of the site expands.
Let’s take another look at the fixed width website, Washington Winemaker:
It’s a beautiful website. But there’s really no way to “flex” the design. The photo is a fixed size and it would lose its impact if there were more white space on either side. This design isn’t built to expand.
The Problem – Code
Now let’s consider the HTML code that is the basis for all websites. I try not to write a lot about HTML as that can freak people out. If you’d like to see HTML click here. If you’d rather pass on that just think of HTML as something like computer code. That code has to be written differently for the different types of designs. I could tell you more but your eyes would start to glaze over and you’d require emergency coffee. It’s boring and it’s technical and just trust me on this one – the code for these two types of designs is a lot different.
What this means is that you’ve got to build either type of site from the ground up.
Making the Switch
What if you still want to make the switch? That’s no problem but it does mean that you’ll need a new website design.
If you have a blog then you pick a new template that has a flexible design. If you have a standard website or a custom blog template then you have your website developer (that would be me) develop a new design.
And all of that is OK. It’s not unusual for websites to get a new design every year or so. This website is on it’s fourth design. (And I’m planning the fifth version now.) Things change. Businesses grow. Websites need a new design every few years. It’s a normal cycle.
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