800X600 Resolution - How relevant is it to the directory industry??

Discussion in 'Directories' started by Dubz, Jun 26, 2007.

  1. #1
    I did a bunch of modifications on my blog directory when I realized they looked awful on 800X600; then I looked around and found the following statistics:

    As of 2007...

    2007 Higher 1024x768 800x600 640x480 Unknown
    January 26% 54% 14% 0% 6%

    http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_display.asp

    Of the people who still use 800X600 do you think it could be said are less likely to submit to directories or even use them. When I think of this resolution I think of older computers and not generally someone who is doing lots of work on the web and willing to promote their sites as part of a comprehensive SEO campaign.

    Either way I was alarmed at the statistics; I assumed 800X600 would have more than 14%. I'd also think that maybe 90%+ of submissions are made from the 70% of resolutions 1024X768 and higher? I don't want to alienate any potential visitors but if you can make a much cleaner, attractive and informative site for 70% of visitors and maybe 90%+ of the submissions (people who are actually using your service) does it make sense? Should we tailor our websites to the web in general or to our most probable audience?

    Rob
     
    Dubz, Jun 26, 2007 IP
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  2. banless

    banless Peon

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    #2
    Great thread. IMO 800x600 is the way to go even though the stats may not fully support that. One thing is that I hate to have to scroll across a page in order to see the rest of the site, and I have seen alot of directories like this. Also since some people have their favorites open on the left side of the page it can be hard to see the whole directory and therefore would call for scrolling across the page.

    But I do not think this will play a major role when it comes to submissions and my thought is always this, if someone does not want to submit to your directory because of minor set backs then you do not need their business anyway. But as a rule of thumb I always design clients sites as well as my own in 800x600.

    Tip for those who may not know: If you want to set your site up in 800 or even 1024 then you need set your table width to 800 pixels wide.
     
    banless, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  3. Richie_Ni

    Richie_Ni Illustrious Member

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    #3
    I agree.

    Just checked the statistics of lively directory and didn't find any submissions from those 800x600 users in May and June.
    Most of the submissions were made from people with the following resolutions (decreasing order)
    1.
    1600x1024
    2.
    1280x800
    3.
    1024x768
     
    Richie_Ni, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  4. an0n

    an0n Prominent Member

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    #4
    1024x768 and won't go any lower than that. people need to get out of the late 90's and into the 2000's for god's sake!

    Next thing we know they will be running monochrome monitors on top of the 8x6 res.
     
    an0n, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  5. banless

    banless Peon

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    #5
    One more point because this is such a good thread. Keep in mind that the resolution that someone has set on their computer will always display different results and therefore I do not recommend that people start building directories set for higher resolutions. Always keep the old timers in mind and have something that will work for them. People runing high res will always be able to see your site without a prob.

    I could go one forever about this but I won't.
     
    banless, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  6. Freewebspace

    Freewebspace Notable Member

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    #6
    few months ago I was also using 800X600

    but then I realised 1024X768 is more better as it helps in a lot of ways!

    The statistics at w3schools may be wrong as now days most of computers are in 1024X768

    we need to look at our statistics to prove that!
     
    Freewebspace, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  7. Greg Carnegie

    Greg Carnegie Peon

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    #7
    W3C should update their raport with july stats i guess it will be only 10% or less for 800x600.

    Anyway i always keep in mind those with low resolutions so my sites width is always 800.

    But in my opinion people who submit their sites to directories know how internet works, these are somewhat technically savvy guys, so they know that 800x600 was good on Windows98.
     
    Greg Carnegie, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  8. aspidov

    aspidov Well-Known Member

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    #8
    800x600 for a search portal is just not possible.
     
    aspidov, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  9. LeopardAt1

    LeopardAt1 Well-Known Member

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    #9
    I really hate designing for 800x600. ...sometimes I rather just not bother.
     
    LeopardAt1, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  10. Fastian

    Fastian Peon

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    #10
    100% agree there. I think its been more than a year I have stopped doing anything for 800x600 resolution.

    And my statistics also prove that with every passing month, less people are using 800x600 resolution and more are moving towards 1024x768 and even higher. Also, sooner or later, they are going to upgrade to higher resolution. I think after few years, people will not even remember if there were any 800x600 resolution.

    I believe the people who still use such a low resolution are just "common users", i.e. they are not business man, SEO specialist, developer, designers or webmaster. That being said, I don't think they will be interested in "Web Directory" as a submitter.

    (PS. My upcoming design will be optimized for 1024x768 & higher :D)
     
    Fastian, Jun 26, 2007 IP
  11. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #11
    webmasters submit to directories.

    webmaster have good PCs.

    u have nothing to worry about :)
     
    mikey1090, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  12. uttoransen

    uttoransen Prominent Member

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    #12
    my social networking website is still at 800*600, but the directory in it is fluid!! when i see my stats, for the entire website, 70% of the visitors are having the resolution of 800*600!! but then finally i have made up my mind to get the site at 1024*778 or fluid!
    it is time that we should come out of the low resolution:)
     
    uttoransen, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  13. gemini181

    gemini181 Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Good point.
    I still check my designs at 800*600, but am almost ready stop keeping one foot in the old days.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Important related issue = speed
    • This year (2007) over 50% of Americans are finally using high-speed
    • Much of the world is still on dial-up
    Conclusions:

    IMO, 800*600 is now optional, depending on your sites niche, but..
    ...file size and site speed still matter a lot.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     
    gemini181, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  14. upper

    upper Banned

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    #14
    on my directory most of my visitors have 800x600.It seems strange for now days...


    PS: I am using 1024 x 768
     
    upper, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  15. dargre

    dargre Peon

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    #15
    STRANGE STATS u must have :eek:

    [​IMG]
    Here's mine from LinkForever.
    All from dozens of my websites shows very similiar results.

    And I work on 2 x 1680x1050 res. monitors.

    Totally agree :) with one exception.
    Don't you think monochrome 4x3 would be better then 8x6 :D
     
    dargre, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  16. Dubz

    Dubz Peon

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    #16
    I've always done 800X600 but I think I'm moving to 1024 and staying here. It's extremely hard to put lots of content into an 800 wide frame now and if less than 10% of my browsers are using it... Also as mentioned I think it's fair to assume most submitters are on HIGH resolutions because the vast majority of submitters are people who do web work. I'll see if I get a decline in business I have a feeling I won't though.

    71 71.72% 1024x768
    drill down 18 18.18% 800x600
    drill down 8 8.08% 1280x1024
    drill down 2 2.02% 1152x864

    Just check this though... Stats may say otherwise!
     
    Dubz, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  17. jminscoe

    jminscoe Peon

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    #17
    Out of curiosoty how do you tell what size resolution they use and where do you find that info
     
    jminscoe, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  18. Dubz

    Dubz Peon

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    #18
    I use statcounter.com and it was under "system stats" on the left. Didn't find it in awstats but didn't look long either.
     
    Dubz, Jun 27, 2007 IP
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  19. jminscoe

    jminscoe Peon

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    #19
    awstats doesn't have it I checked as that is what I mainly look at and use
     
    jminscoe, Jun 27, 2007 IP
  20. The Pheonix

    The Pheonix Banned

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    #20
    Because graphics on the templates have become much higher in quality and content you simply have to have at least 1024 x 768.


    Hope the stats help. :)
     
    The Pheonix, Jun 27, 2007 IP