Fixed vs Fluid Width Layout

[CaterTrade]

I've currently got a fluid layout but I want to redesign my index page and it would look better with a fixed width layout. Have any of you gone from fluid to fixed and have you had any complaints or drops in conversions? I dont want to do loads of SEO and then annoy customers by doing something to make my life easier.

Cheers

James

[the king]

Why?

Something's gotta give: either you force people to browse full-screen at specified resolution or you sweat to degrade gracefully!

I suppose the decision is partly based upon layout / format; a fluid three-column page can't have more than two columns fixed so you've got to decide whether to lose or wrap what gets squashed...

I know it's far from easy - especially if you want the page to render similarly in a variety of browsers (and - more frustratingly - different versions of the same!) but here's my latest effort http://ev-o.axspace.com/AS4/XML/home.xml - ignore the content(!) but you're welcome to the CSS if it'll help.

Fluid gets my vote!

[cmcp]

I can't comment on SEO / PPC, but in general there's a compromise either way you look at it.

Fixed lets you control the flow of the text in paragraphs within your container (at the expense of a potential white space void), fluid solves the white space issue but you run into difficulties controlling the flow of text on the page which is arguably as much a usability issue as the white space void.

Personally, I'm sticking with fixed width for the foreseeable future. Build your site elastic with ems so your users can zoom right in if they like.

[CaterTrade]

Thanks for the advice. I'm more concerned with whether I will loose business by changing. I guess the only way to find out is to try it. I think at the end of the day everyone has their preference so it doesn't really matter either way.

[cmcp]

That being the case, split testing seems to be the words on everyones lips these days. Check out Google Website Optimiser :)

[WeblinkPlus]

I'd vote for fluid with a fixed minimum width.

[fisicx]

Agree with weblinkplus, fluid with max and min widths is a good combination. What you do need to do is carefully analyse your visitors as this will give you their screen resulution from which you can set the min width.