Fonts / Typefaces
Using a variety of typefaces will trash the look of your site and give your users a headache.

The font selected for the copy on your site will usually be Verdana because it is widely available on most computers. That is how we can control
(a little) how the page will layout.


We will not use italics ever because of the difficulty in reading it on a monitor.
 

Recommended Fonts for the Web

How may different types of letters do you see in the above sentence?  The sad, bitter truth about the web is that not everyone's machine has your favorite font. If they don't, then they will see their default font, not what you think they are seeing. This can cause havoc with a tightly designed and integrated website.  Even the smallest change in size can explode your site on a user's computer until it makes no sense at all, words hang in the air or overlap.  I am sure you have been to sites like that and wondered 'what were they thinking?'. 

We used a different typeface for each letter. Now you know, they picked a font that was not safe, not readily available.  Unfortunately they might never know how bad this might look unless they view their site on a different computer, one that does not have their specified font. Please remember that reading words on a computer screen is not at all the same as reading them from a printed page.  Do not assume that if your brochure or business card is in a particular font then so should your website. The resolution is dramatically different between a display monitor and the printed word.

The criteria to use when selecting a font is to decide how much copy your site will have.  If you are presenting a lot of information then you will need a font that is easily readable at a small size.  Verdana wins hands down. It is not the prettiest font, but it stays clear and sharp when reduced to fine print. Arial is a close second.

If your site has minimal copy, then one of the other fonts will probably suit your purposes splendidly.

VERDANA (12 pt Bold) The quick, brown fox  (12 pt) The quick, brown fox  (10pt) The quick, brown fox  (8pt)   ARIAL (12 pt Bold) The quick, brown fox  (12 pt) The quick, brown fox (10pt) The quick, brown fox  (8pt)   COMIC SANS (12 pt Bold) The quick, brown fox  (12 pt) The quick, brown fox  (10 pt) The quick, brown fox  (8 pt)   TIMES ROMAN (12 pt Bold) The quick, brown fox  (12 pt) The quick, brown fox  (10 pt) The quick, brown fox  (8 pt)