How The Growth in Sales of Large Monitors has Changed Website Browsing in the face of a Mobile-first world

In today's digitized world, screen sizes vary immensely. From the pocket-sized screens of smartphones to vast, sprawling monitors, the range is vast. But have you ever wondered how many people visit personal websites while working on large monitors? Let's delve into this intriguing topic.

1. The Rise of Large Monitors

Over the past decade, the technology market has witnessed a surge in large monitor sales. With industries ranging from design, programming, gaming, and general entertainment, the demand for bigger screens has shot up. They offer users a better visual experience, more space for multitasking, and a heightened level of immersion, especially in gaming and multimedia activities.

2. How Screen Size Impacts User Behavior

There's a significant correlation between screen size and user behavior. Larger screens typically promote more extended browsing sessions, mainly because the viewer doesn’t need to zoom or adjust the layout frequently. Websites that adapt well to these large screens, providing crisp visuals and organized content, make the user experience more intuitive and engaging.

3. Personal Websites & Large Monitors

Personal websites, ranging from portfolios, blogs, or personal projects, have seen a shift in design approach. With the knowledge that users might access these sites from large monitors, designers often focus on responsive designs. The goal is to cater to a broad spectrum of screen sizes.

However, the real question is, are people really browsing personal websites on their large monitors?

A few studies offer insights:

• Professionals & Personal Portfolios: Graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and other professionals are more likely to view personal portfolios on large monitors. This approach allows them to closely inspect details and get a broader perspective on design aesthetics and content quality.
• Casual Browsing: Surprisingly, most casual browsing still happens on smaller devices like smartphones and tablets. This trend is primarily because these devices are more portable and accessible. When people check out a personal website shared via social media or a messaging app, they usually do so on mobile devices.
• Work & Leisure Overlap: It's not uncommon for people to take short breaks during work to browse the internet. During these breaks, they're likely on their work monitors, which could be large. Here, personal websites could gain traction, especially if the content is engaging or relevant to the user's interests.

4. Analyzing the Stats

While exact numbers can fluctuate depending on sources, a general observation shows:

• Around 60-70% of website traffic, including personal websites, originates from mobile devices.
• Desktops, including large monitors, account for the remaining 30-40%.
• Of this desktop percentage, a significant chunk would be from standard-sized monitors, but a growing fraction does come from larger monitors, especially given their increasing popularity.

5. The Takeaway

For personal website owners and designers, understanding your audience is crucial. If your target audience includes professionals or others who might be accessing your site from larger screens, ensuring your website is optimized for big monitors is essential. However, with mobile devices reigning supreme in website traffic, a mobile-first design approach remains vital.

In conclusion, while large monitors are gaining traction in various industries, personal websites are still predominantly accessed on smaller screens. However, with the lines between work and leisure blurring and the continuous evolution of technology, it's essential to be prepared for all screen sizes.