The Perils of Poor WordPress Page Width
Discussions about website design best practices are increasingly common in online forums. Add in a dash of technical confusion and you have all the ingredients for a frustrating user experience. That is often the case for many WordPress types of users, from bloggers to small business owners, when they first encounter the theme customizer and are confronted with a bewildering array of layout options. The user's common mistake? They haphazardly adjust sliders and input values without a clear strategy, potentially creating a broken, unprofessional-looking site that alienates visitors. For some, this experience is yet another warning sign that managing a WordPress site is more complex than it appears, often leading to a scenario where their WordPress is not working as intended.
A Detailed Guide: What Should Be The Width of WordPress Pages Boxed
So, you've managed to figure out how to get to WordPress admin and are now staring at the layout settings, wondering what the ideal container should be. The question of what should be width of wordpress pages boxed is fundamental. A width that is too narrow wastes valuable screen real estate, while one that is too wide makes text difficult to read, causing eye strain for your visitors. My strong suggestion, based on years of experience, is to aim for a container width between 1200px and 1400px. This range provides a modern, spacious feel while ensuring lines of text remain a comfortable length for reading. Remember, this setting controls the main content container; your theme's overall site width will be larger to accommodate this boxed area.
Here is a quick reference table for boxed page widths based on your primary audience:
| Primary Audience | Recommended Width | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| General Blog/News | 1200px - 1280px | Optimizes for text readability on most desktop monitors. |
| Photography/Portfolio | 1400px+ | Allows images to be displayed larger for greater impact. |
| E-commerce (Product Grids) | 1300px - 1380px | Fits more products per row without appearing cramped. |
To implement this, navigate to Appearance > Customize in your admin dashboard. Look for a section typically named "Layout," "Site Layout," or "Container Settings." The exact location varies by theme. You'll usually find a slider or input field to define the container width. Input your chosen value, preview the change to ensure it looks correct on both desktop and mobile (the theme should handle responsiveness automatically), and then hit publish.
If you find yourself adjusting this and something breaks, don't panic. A common issue is inputting a value with the wrong unit (e.g., using "px" when it expects a unit-less number, or vice versa). Always check your theme's documentation. If your changes cause a problem you can't fix, it might be a sign of a deeper theme conflict.
Get Professional Help from WPutopia
Configuring your site's layout is just one of many details that go into a professional web presence. If you'd rather focus on your content and business instead of worrying about pixel widths and broken layouts, let the experts handle it. At WPutopia, I provide dedicated WordPress services to ensure your site is not only perfectly designed but also robust and secure. My services include comprehensive WordPress maintenance, expert theme upgrades, careful plugin installation, and much more. Stop struggling with technical details and start enjoying a website that works perfectly for you and your audience. Contact WPutopia today for a consultation.
