Possible Solution to Centering Webpage

[PLI CORPORATION]

It may create an illusion that the webpage is centered. Check it out if you
like the idea www.plicorp.name Finally like I've been told "Text is King"

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash\)]

At the viewport size I choose to use it looks ^right^ justified...not
centered.

 

[PLI CORPORATION]

Like I said, it isn't centered. It only appears to be at the center. Don't
lose hope. Try the more conventional stuff, you'll see it-dead center.

 

[DavidF]

Thanks. I see what you are trying to do, and the idea is sound. Putting most
of the content in the center of the page, or at least "indented" from the
left side, and simulating centering is a way of working with a left
justified page. However your page is too wide. Even if I try to view it full
screen with my monitor set at 1152 X 864 the page still requires horizontal
scrolling. I look at most pages in a browser window about 800 pixels wide,
and don't like pages that require me to view full screen or requires
horizontal scrolling. This is basically the same point Rob is making when he
says at his "viewport size". I guess I would suggest that you make your
pages no more than 984 pixels wide as per the widest default size in Pub
2007.

Sorry, but I have to say again, that I really don't like the abstract
graphics that you have placed on each side of the content. If your goal is
"text is king"...and I prefer "content is king"...then I am afraid you still
haven't achieved that goal. The content/text is overwhelmed by the abstract
graphics. I can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak. I realize that
you are offering "alternative financing" but I am sorry, the graphics comes
off so bizarre to me that I would never want to do business with you. The
design just doesn't project a "professional image" in my view. The too wide
page with the bizarre graphics is just too off-putting for me....but that is
only my opinion, and I mean no offense.

DavidF

 

[Mike Koewler]

You ought to see how it looks at 800x600 browsing view. I get a scroll
bar at 1020 pixels wide. Fewer than 40 percent of visitors to my site
have a window wider than that.

Mike

 

[PLI CORPORATION]

Thanks. I see what you are trying to do, and the idea is sound. Putting
most of the content in the center of the page, or at least "indented" from
the left side, and simulating centering is a way of working with a left
justified page. However your page is too wide. Even if I try to view it
full screen with my monitor set at 1152 X 864 the page still requires
horizontal scrolling. I look at most pages in a browser window about 800
pixels wide, and don't like pages that require me to view full screen or
requires horizontal scrolling. This is basically the same point Rob is
making when he says at his "viewport size". I guess I would suggest that
you make your pages no more than 984 pixels wide as per the widest default
size in Pub 2007.

Sorry, but I have to say again, that I really don't like the abstract
graphics that you have placed on each side of the content. If your goal is
"text is king"...and I prefer "content is king"...then I am afraid you
still haven't achieved that goal. The content/text is overwhelmed by the
abstract graphics. I can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak. I
realize that you are offering "alternative financing" but I am sorry, the
graphics comes off so bizarre to me that I would never want to do business
with you. The design just doesn't project a "professional image" in my
view. The too wide page with the bizarre graphics is just too off-putting
for me....but that is only my opinion, and I mean no offense.

DavidF

 

[PLI CORPORATION]

Guys let's not lose sight of my objective here. My website is not the
issue. I gave the website so that anybody interested can get the "centering
idea" just by looking at it. The default size that I am using right now is
for laptop users. As far as business is concerned, we are doing very well.
I have a tie up with Union Bank ( www.unionbankph.com ) which allows our
company to make use of their branches and ATM sites. In three months time
we will be offering credit cards thru Union Banks Visa facility as well. We
are also tying up with Bantay Bata www.bantaybata163.com, a non profit
organization taking care of abandoned, abused or neglected children. This as
our way of giving back to the community. Our clients will continue to
patronize us not because of our website but because they are aware that we
offer the best rates in the industry. I appreciate all your comments and
will consider all these things in the future. Thank you so much and have a
nice day.

 

[DavidF]

I understand, and as I said the idea of simulating a centered page is good.
However, it was important to point out that for the idea to work for most
people, they must consider how wide to make the page to begin with, and how
important it is for most people to avoid making the pages so wide they
require horizontal scrolling and alienating people viewing their sites. My
primary comments were directed to that end.

If those issues are unimportant to you, you have enough business, and you
are happy with your site, then your design is indeed none of my business. I
meant no offense. I thank you for posting your idea and wish you a nice day
too.

DavidF

 

[PLI CORPORATION]

Hey thanks. Like I said all your comments are being considered and
appreciated. I just need a weekend or two to make some adjustments. The
challenge here would be working my way around the graphics on both sides.
These are actually modified pictures of the Philippine Currency. It was
supposed to convey the message that finance is our business. In a week or
two or as much as my schedule allows me to work on the website.

 

[DavidF]

There just aren't enough hours in a day, are there ;-)

I understand now why you are trying to use the graphics on the side, but
neither I or most people in the US are going to recognize the pictures as
Philppine Currency, so you are not conveying your message "finance is our
business". To my eye it just comes off as abstract artwork, and it draws my
eye away from the words in the middle section that I do understand...that
does convey your message "finance is our business". I am not an expert
designer, and my feedback to you in this case is just as a visitor to your
site. The use of the pictures of the Phillipine Currency just pulls my
attention away from what should be my focus...your words in the middle
section. I am sure you are somewhat invested in using those graphics, but I
am saying that as a visitor to your site, all they do is distract me from
your message and actually confuse me. I spend more time trying to figure
them out and why they are there then reading your words. Plus they increase
the time it takes for the page to load, and thus the time I have to wait to
read the words I went to your site for. Given that is the effect they will
most likely have on most of your visitors, I would suggest using just a
color fill or something else in the background that doesn't pull my
attention away from your message. And as I said, I wouldn't make the page
wider than 984 pixels wide. Once again just telling you what happens when I
look at your site...

One of my goals when I build a page is to add no design element that does
not contribute positively to the visitors experience and to use only those
design elements that help communicate the message I want to convey. My first
pages had way too many bells and whistles, special effects and images. They
took too long to load, were way too busy and unfocused and I had created a
"you can't see the forest for the trees" effect. My message got lost. It was
hard for me to let go of some of my favorite graphics and special effects,
but as time passed I realized that they only distracted visitors to my site
from the primary message I was trying to convey. That is why now I try to
remember that "content is king" and should always be the focus...the
graphics and page structure and design should just be there to support my
message, not distract from it, and thus my second goal "KISS" or keep it
simple stupid. I try to remind myself that just because I can do something,
doesn't mean I should. Now this doesn't mean my way is the best way, or an
expert's way, or it should be your way, but perhaps sharing this will at
least help you understand where I am coming from.

Good luck.

DavidF