Choosing the style of font is just the first step when designing a Web site. You then have to consider the size. The size of the text is important because it will not only affect the presentation of your page, but also the readability.
Consider that when people read, they group words together rather than see and read each word individually. Long blocks of text that is too large doesn't flow well for readers and gives a choppy appearance. That's why, even in print media, large font sizes are reserved for headlines and short phrases. To make your page title or section headers stand out, you can use a bigger, bolder font.
Small text on a computer screen can really strain the eyes, so it should be used sparingly as well. Many computer screens don't display the smallest characters clearly, and in general, tiny text is hard to see. Fonts under 10 pt are generally good for copyright notices or other legal disclaimers. It's not information that will be read frequently so you don't want it to take up too much space, but it's still necessary to have it displayed.
In general, most of your Web site text will be 10-point, or possibly 12-point. Some fonts actually present larger than others, so you may choose to use a smaller size and still achieve good readability.
You should also consider your audience - if your target audience includes seniors or those with disabilities, you may want a larger font for your Web copy.
There are a number of different ways to write the code to determine the size of your fonts. Some make your font size absolute so that everyone sees the same size. Others can make the font size relative so that the size adjusts to the user's browser specifications. Talk with your Web designer to choose the best choice for your site and needs.
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