What is the appropriate size for the site header image?
The header image is a very important part of your website's outlook, thus you should be sure to arrange it in the best possible way. In fact, there is no standard or recommended definition for the header size – each website owner may choose their own sizes and dimensions that will represent their website in the optimal manner.
In the light of the above, in order to make the header as good as possible, it is advised to stick to the following instructions:
Create a sketch of your website – on a sheet of paper or in a simple painting program. This will help you gradually plan out each feature instead of fixing mistakes afterwards.
Decide on site dimensions – usually, at the stage of opening a website, the owner defines the size of their site. In order to take into account the minimal accepted screen resolution of 1024 pixels width, it is recommended to set the width parameter of the website between 750 and 950 pixels. You can define website width by going to “Site Design” >> “Location and Width”.
It is worth mentioning that the hight of the website is set automatically with respect to the content volume.
Set the secondary dimensions. For instance, if your site width is set to 750 pixels, it has two side menus each 150 pixels wide and 10-pixel margins, you are left with space 430 pixels wide for the page content (750-150x2-10x2).
Build and design your website. Upon setting the dimensions, it is more convenient to design the website and add contents with respect to site definitions.
Tip: Using Pixels
Why use pixels if there is an option of designing a website with percents, enabling the similar outlook regardless of screen resolution?
First of all, elements with constant dimensions (images, videos, flash) will not be affected by percentage, but will preserve their original size. This may lead to stretching out the contents around the constant elements, if the resolution is too large, or creating page overcrowding, in case the resolution is too small.
Using pixels will facilitate building and designing your website and guarantee that your website will always look the same.