• Click on the store link
• Click on link to a catalog
• Click on a link to a forum
• Click on a project gallery

The topics are endless. These are just a few. Once you’ve determined the goal for your readers’ attention, you will want to direct them there in as few easily accessible steps as possible.

That means, if you want them to go to the catalog, make it the catalog link prominent! Position the link in the upper left sidebar underneath your photo and email link! Also link to your catalog when you refer to it in your posts! You may also wish to include the catalog link in your post footers so it appears in every post!

Studies have shown that most people tend to click links that are in the left sidebar above the fold. If you’d like get a visual picture of your blog and see where people click most often, go to Crazy Egg! Try it out. See for yourself if the marketing studies are correct- where do people click the most frequently on YOUR blog?

Allow me to take a moment to explain.

Your blog doesn’t necessarily look to others the same way you see it on your monitor. Not everyone uses the same combinations of settings and software. Some variables include:

1. Differing screen resolution on the monitor
2. Browser (Firefox, IE, etc.) that is used to view it
3. Operating system on the viewers computer
4. Toolbar Size
5. Browser window "maximized" or not

These differences affect how a blog layout looks to others. This is where "Fluid" and "Fixed" come into play.

Fluid Layouts

Blog templates with fluid layouts are the most accommodating to viewers with a wide range of the variables listed above. The blog will fit in any size of browser window with any resolution and the viewer will not need to use the horizontal scroll bar to see the right side of the blog.

What does this mean for your layout and blog banner? Simply this. The banner cannot be "centered" in any way. There is no "right side edge" to your layout. Nothing can be centered without having both a left and right edge. Therefore, your blog banner will be located flush with the left margin of your browser window.

For some viewers, the banner will appear completely centered. Some other viewers will see space after the banner, but will not have to scroll with the horizontal bar to read your blog because the paragraphs will "wrap" to accommodate the text on the screen. If the viewer with the space at the right side of the banner reduces the size of their browser window, the banner will appear centered.

Fixed Layouts

A fixed template layout will have both a left and a right margin regardless of your monitor size or resolution. Lets say your sidebar is 300 pixels and your main column is 600 pixels in a fixed layout for a total of 900 pixels width. If a viewer has an 800 pixel width browser, that person will see your blog with the right side cut off. To read the remaining 100 right edge pixels of your blog (or view your complete 900 pixel blog banner, they will have to move the horizontal scroll bar to the right to see the right side of the blog and banner. If someone has a 2,000 pixel width browser, your blog will be completely visible (unlike the 800 pixel browser) but will appear smaller on their browser window. It won’t "fill up" the space but instead will have a very large "background".

Which is better?

This is simply a personal preference. In my experience, Fluid blog layouts work best for me. I simply want those with smaller browser windows/resolution to be able to see my entire blog without using the scroll bar. Those with the larger windows can reduce their window size if they want to get rid of the space after the banner. Fluid layouts will always show the entire blog regardless of variables, whereas Fixed layouts may appear cut-off on small browser windows or too small on large ones.

Best thing is to experiment with what you think looks good, but keep in mind many people will not see your blog the same way you do!

In the next post I will list some examples of both Fluid and Fixed banners!