See What Your Web Visitors See
In the print realm, it’s fairly easy to make sure the most important items “above the fold” to ensure maximum visibility. In the Web realm, “above the scroll” is equally important, but harder to achieve because it’s impossible to know how big a visitor’s Web browser window will be.
However, now you can see what your visitors see by using Google’s new Browser Size: a visualization of common browser window sizes for folks who visit Google.
To use it, visit www.browsersize.googlelabs.com, enter your URL, and an overlay will appear on top of your site labeled with percentages that tell you how many Google users can see that area without scrolling. It’s a great way to ensure the most important parts of your Web pages — navigation, “donate” buttons, etc. — are visible to the largest percentage of visitors possible.
Jeff Gamet is a contributing editor for Design Tools Monthly, the executive summary of graphic design news. He is also the morning editor and reviews editor for The Mac Observer and iPodObserver.com, and contributing writer for Layers Magazine and Photoshop User. He writes the InBrief column for InDesign Magazine, and is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X,” from Peachpit Press
When Jeff isn’t writing about the graphic design world, he’s talking about it on the Design Tools Weekly podcast with co-host Jay Nelson. He also talks about Apple and the Mac world every week on The Mac Observer’s Apple Weekly Report.
Jeff studies, tests and reviews new software and technologies for the Macintosh community as well as the design and print industries. He is a former Pre-press specialist, and has nearly 25 years experience with computer technology. Jeff trains, lectures and consults on techniques for more efficiently using Mac OS X in creative environments throughout the country.
In the rare moments when he can get away from his MacBook Pro, Jeff spends his time climbing and biking in the Colorado mountains.