Here are some other solutions that people use, in addition to the one that @BozhidarBatsov mentions:
- Library column-marker.el -- highlight any column(s)
- Library fill-column-indicator.el -- highlight the fill column
- Library mode-line-posn.el -- highlight column number in mode line when greater than limit
- Library wide-column.el -- highlight cursor when column passes limit
See also:
- FindLongLines
- HighlightLongLines
- EightyColumnRule
- MarginMode
(FWIW, my personal preference is mode-line-posn.el --- less intrusive, just the right amount of indication.)