Font problems - and some answers!! Click on the questions below...

I used lots of different fonts, why do people say my web page is confusing to read?

Someone says my text is hard to make out... why?

Why does my page's font look different on other screens, I didn't change anything!

I'm using a great new font - but it isn't displaying... what can I do?

1. Confusing to read? Keep it consistent!

On the Web Design Tips page point two is...

Now... imagine you're reading a web report, and the font keeps changing... does that help or hinder? Please... say hinder!!!

Rule of thumb... try not to change the font style more than twice on a web page. Although it might lead to interesting effects, if you're reading a long passage, then it can make reading much more difficult and confusing than it might otherwise be!

What you may be able to see clearly, someone else might have trouble with. See what I mean?

Try to make your web site as accessible as possible! I might enjoy reading bright yellow writing on a green background - but that doesn't make it the best choice of colour! If your text doesn't show up properly on the page, try changing the font colour - it might make all the difference!!

If you haven't specified a font for your web page, and are happy with the way it appears when you preview it... fine... but... The default font you've got specified on your browser isn't necessarily the one I've got... or others have got. I might set my default font to be MS Comic Sans - whereas the effect you were going for relied on me having it displayed in Times New Roman (a common default).

If you want it in Times New Roman - spell it out! Make it Times New Roman! Don't rely on using default fonts - unless you don't care about how it looks for your audience!

Bear in mind - if you're using a font that isn't installed on your audience's machine... then a substitution will be made - and you may lose whatever effect you've gone for! Windows PCs and Macs use different fonts for a start! Cover your back by using font tags which offer alternatives... like this:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Some text in here.</font>

If the person's machine doesn't have Verdana, then the next font it attempts to use is Arial, then Helvetica (a Mac font) and lastly any sans-serif font. Specify what you think is an acceptable font and then think of some acceptable alternatives! Saves grief in the long run!