But building a high-converting landing page is challenging. You need to know how to string the right words and visuals together to lead users to take action. Otherwise, your sales funnel could be a waste of time and money.

Luckily, we have some tips that can help. Let’s take a closer look at creating a landing page that convert traffic into leads and customers.

Understanding high-converting landing pages

A landing page is a standalone web page with a single goal: Conversion. 

Whether you want someone to sign up for your email list, download a guide, or buy a product, a landing page directs visitors to that action. Which is why they’re a pivotal component in your sales funnel.

A successful landing page gives users a reason to trust you and makes it easy for them to follow through. 

The headline, visuals, and call-to-action should all lead visitors down one path. If your landing page tries to do too much, you’ll confuse your audience and miss the opportunity to convert them.

You also need to make sure your landing pages can handle traffic spikes. (If your landing page goes down during a marketing campaign, you’ll lose valuable leads and sales.) A data backup strategy and a solid recovery time objective (RTO) plan are essential to keeping your page up and running. 

Types of landing pages and conversion goals

Different landing pages serve different purposes based on your goals. If you’re looking for fast conversions, text-only landing pages work well. They’re simple, quick to load, and focus the visitor on a single message or call to action.

Long-copy landing pages let you dive into the details. Use these when you’re selling a complex or high-ticket product or service. More copy gives you space to handle objections and build trust with your audience.

Short-copy landing pages get straight to the point. If your offer is easy to understand or familiar, a concise page boosts engagement by reducing decision fatigue.

Video landing pages are powerful for storytelling. They capture attention and work best when you need to showcase a product or build an emotional connection. Keep the video short and focused on the outcome you want.

Components of high-converting landing pages

Creating a landing page that connects with your audience requires a deep understanding of their behaviors and preferences. 

It’s all about using data to meet your audience where they are—creating a landing page that feels tailored, relevant, and results-oriented. A high-converting landing page has several important elements. 

Headline with a hook

The headline is the first thing visitors see, so it needs to grab attention quickly.

Spark curiosity and speak directly to their emotions. A good rule is to think about the problem your audience faces and the benefit they’ll get from your solution.

Use the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) or PAS (Problem, Agitation, Solution) formulas to structure your headline. These copywriting techniques guide the reader through a journey that ends with them taking action.

Source

For example, instead of a bland headline like “Get More Leads,” try something more engaging like “Struggling to Find Customers? Here’s the Secret to Tripling Your Leads in 30 Days.” It’s specific, emotional, and directly addresses the reader’s pain point. 

High-impact visuals (image, video, etc.)

People process visuals faster than text, so be sure to use high-quality images or videos to make your landing page more engaging. 

Look for visuals that support your content and connect emotionally with your audience.

Adding a live and interactive demo to SaaS landing pages is a highly effective strategy to boost conversions. It offers firsthand experience so that potential customers can address their curiosity and demonstrate the tool’s value without needing to sign up or schedule a demo. 

Take Tyk, a leading API management platform, for instance. The brand offers a live demo of its dashboard directly on the landing page. This hands-on experience lets visitors explore the tool and its capabilities in real-time, which reduces friction in the decision-making process. 

This approach helps increase engagement and foster confidence, which ultimately leads to higher conversion rates.

Source

Social proof (customer testimonials)

Social proof builds trust with potential customers. If visitors see that other people are using and loving your product, they’ll be more inclined to follow suit. Even a few customer testimonials can make a huge difference in building credibility.

For example, you could feature a quote from a satisfied user. Or add screenshots of positive brand mentions from social media users who bought and loved your product or service.

Source

You could also have a dedicated “ratings and reviews” section on your landing page.

Source

If you have well-known clients or brands that endorse your product, show their logos, too. 

List of benefits

When it comes to landing pages, features don’t sell — benefits do. Visitors want to know how your product or service will make their life easier, business better, or solve their problems. 

You need to connect the dots for them. List your product’s core benefits in bullet points (and follow them up with relevant features or explanations). Make sure each point is clear and directly addresses your target audience’s pain points. 

For example, if you’re selling an email marketing tool, you might list benefits like: 

• “Create more impactful campaigns with audience segmentation” 
• “Easily grow your email list with targeted campaigns”
• “Save time with automated email sequences” 

Keep it scannable so visitors can quickly understand how you’re going to help them.

Features describe what your product or service does. For example, “Our email marketing tool includes audience segmentation”. Benefits, on the other hand, describe how these features can improve the customer’s experience. 

When focusing on the benefits, you’re addressing your visitors’ pain points and showing them how and why your product or service is the best solution for their needs. 

Call-to-action

A clear, bold call-to-action (CTA) is critical to conversions. Don’t overload your landing page with multiple CTAs — that’ll only confuse your visitors. Instead, guide them toward one specific action. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t list your CTA a few times (especially if you have a long-copy landing page). But don’t change your CTA’s goal.

For example, you could sprinkle “Sign up for your free trial,” “Get your free trial,” and “Get the trial” throughout your landing page. But don’t try to divert their attention with separate goals, such as “Book a demo call,” “Try it now,” and “Sign up for our email list.”

The color of your CTA buttons matters, too. Blue buttons tend to evoke trust, while brighter colors like orange and pink can trigger excitement and urgency in different demographics. Test different colors to find out what works best for your audience. 

And always make sure the CTA stands out from the rest of the page. Make the CTA copy clear and action-oriented. Instead of “Submit,” try something more compelling like “Get My Free Guide” or “Start My Free Trial.”

High-converting landing pages examples

Here are some real-world examples of landing pages that convert.

• SoFi’s law school loans landing page

Source

SoFi’s law school loans landing page is a masterclass in conversion. The brand breaks up the page with dedicated sections its audience can read through to learn how its law school loans work. 

The headline (“Low-rate student loans for law school degrees”) speaks directly to the target audience and their core needs. 

The page also features strong trust signals. A Money Magazine badge and customer reviews build credibility — and the promise that checking your rate won’t impact your credit score eliminates a major barrier to action. Finally, the CTA buttons — “View your rate” and “Learn more” — are clear and intuitive.

Key benefits are also listed on the landing page, all help motivate prospective law students to take the next step. 

• Maria Wendt’s coaching program landing page

Maria Wendt’s landing page for her coaching program converts at an impressive 71%. Why? It’s straightforward and focused. 

The page features bold, specific headlines that speak directly to her target market’s struggles. She also emphasizes urgency with limited-time offers and includes plenty of social proof through testimonials from satisfied clients.

To build landing pages that convert like this one, Maria recommends to: 

• Make sure your landing pages are super intentional (every element should have a clear reason for being there)
• Have a section that compares what you offer versus what the competition offers
• Include an “About Me” or “About Us” section
• Include descriptive mock-up images (so your audience knows exactly what they’re getting)
• Include a “Value stack” or a “Value menu” section with prices
• Use a strong headline (and follow-up headlines)
• Include a “What you get” section 
• Add an objection handling section
• Eliminate fluff in your copywriting 
• Include a “Who it’s for” section
• Have a testimonials section
• Include a clear next step
• Add an FAQ section

How to build a landing page with Webnode

If you’re looking for an easy way to build a landing page, Webnode is a great solution. Webnode offers templates designed to convert, meaning you don’t need any design experience to get started.

To create a simple landing page, choose a Webnode template that fits your conversion goal. 

Customize the design with high-quality images, an emotional headline, and a clear CTA. 

Use the drag-and-drop website builder to rearrange elements as needed, and don’t forget to include social proof and a benefits section. (Go the extra mile by infusing all of the tips we’ve covered in this guide.)

Continually optimize your page to keep improving your landing page conversion rate.

Conclusion

Creating a high-converting landing page comes down to understanding your audience and removing friction from their decision-making process. 

Focus on crafting an emotional headline, use visuals to support your content, build trust with social proof, and guide visitors with a clear CTA. With these elements in place, you’ll be well on your way to creating a landing page that converts.

Ready to build your perfect landing page? Get started with Webnode for free

Author Bio:

Ioana Wilkinson – Ioana is a business strategist and content writer for B2B tech and SaaS brands. She also helps aspiring entrepreneurs build remote businesses. Born in Transylvania and raised in Texas, Ioana has been living the digital nomad life since 2016. When she’s not writing, you can catch her snorkeling, exploring, or enjoying a café con leche in Barcelona.

The post Practical Tips for Creating a Landing Page that Converts appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Web designers craft the visual layout and aesthetics, turning ideas into engaging designs. In contrast, web developers bring these designs to life, writing the code that powers the site’s functionality.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the differences between web designers and developers, exploring their responsibilities, skill sets, and how they collaborate to build seamless websites.

Web Designer Vs. Web Developer

The roles of web designers and web developers are distinct yet complementary.

Web Designer

Web designers are responsible for the site’s appearance and overall user experience. They focus on creating a visually appealing interface that is easy to navigate, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction. Using various graphic design tools and software, web designers craft the typography, color schemes, and other design elements that define the look and feel of a website.

Job Description of a Web Designer

A web designer’s responsibilities include:

• Brainstorming creative ideas for website design.
• Creating responsive, user-friendly websites.
• Testing websites to identify and correct design discrepancies.
• Integrating content management systems (CMS) and third-party applications.
• Optimizing websites for better speed and functionality. 
• Applying best design practices to ensure quality. 
• Providing support during the website’s development and launch.
• Preparing detailed design plans and structuring the website layout.

Types of Web Designers

1. User experience (UX) designers: Focus on creating intuitive and engaging designs through research and brainstorming.

2. User interface (UI) designers: Assess website features and determine how users will interact with the design.

3. Visual designers: Specialize in the visual elements of the website, such as images, animations, logo designs, and graphics.

Web Developer

Web developers are the architects behind the functionality of the website. They write the code that brings the designer’s vision to life, ensuring that the site operates smoothly.

Working with programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python, web developers integrate both the front end and back end to create a fully functional website. They tackle the technical and logical aspects of the site, focusing on problem-solving and efficiency.

Job Description of a Web Developer

A web developer’s responsibilities include:

• Writing code to build responsive and fully functional websites.
• Implementing web designs using various programming languages and frameworks.
• Developing server-side logic and managing databases.
• Testing and debugging applications across different devices and platforms.
• Collaborating with web designers and project managers to fix bugs and issues.
• Collaborating with SEO specialist and optimizing websites for speed and SEO performance.
• Staying updated with the latest web development trends and technologies.
• Implementing security protocols to protect websites from threats.

Types of Web Developers

1. Frontend developers: Focus on creating and styling the interactive, visual elements of a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

2. Backend developers: Manage the server-side processes, including databases and APIs. 

3. Full-stack developers: Work on both the frontend and backend to ensure seamless development and integration.

Skills and Tools for Web Designers

Both web designers and web developers require a blend of skills, and specialized tools to excel in their fields. Here is an overview for web designers: 

Technical Skills:  

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript: Basic coding knowledge is essential for web designers to understand how their designs will be implemented.
• UI & UX Design: A strong grasp of user interface and user experience design is critical for creating intuitive and engaging websites.
• Web Server Management: Understanding how web servers operate helps designers ensure that their designs are functional and optimized for various devices.
• Design Principles: Mastery of color theory, typography, and layout is crucial for creating visually appealing and cohesive designs.

Soft Skills: 

• Creativity: Web designers must think outside the box to create unique and appealing designs that stand out.
• Communication: Effective communication is essential for collaborating with clients, developers, and other stakeholders.
• Time Management: Balancing multiple projects and meeting deadlines requires strong organizational skills.
• Problem-Solving: Designers must be able to troubleshoot issues related to design and usability.

Tools: 

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Industry-standard tools for graphic design and image editing.
• Figma, Sketch, InVision: Tools for creating and sharing design prototypes and wireframes.
• Google Web Designer: A tool for creating interactive HTML5-based designs and motion graphics.
• Website builder and CMS: Platforms for building and customizing websites.

Skills and Tools for Web Developers

Technical Skills:

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript: The foundational languages of web development, essential for creating and styling websites.
• PHP, Python, Java, Ruby: Backend programming languages used for server-side development and application logic.
• React, Node.js: Popular JavaScript frameworks for building dynamic user interfaces and scalable web applications.
• SQL: A language used for managing databases, essential for backend developers. An SQL database chatbot can streamline queries.
• GIT: Version control systems that enable developers to track changes in their code and collaborate with other developers.

Soft Skills:

• Problem-Solving: Developers need to troubleshoot and resolve coding issues, often under tight deadlines.
• Attention to Detail: Writing clean, error-free code is essential for building functional and secure websites.
• Analytical and Cognitive Skills: Developers must be able to think logically and analyze complex problems to find effective solutions.

Tools:

• Text Editors and IDEs: Tools like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom are essential for writing and editing code.
• GitHub, Bitbucket: Platforms for version control and collaborative coding.
• React, Angular, Vue.js: JavaScript frameworks that simplify the process of building user interfaces.
• Express.js, Django: Backend frameworks for building robust and scalable web applications.
• MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB: Popular databases used for storing and managing data in web applications.

Salary of a Web Designer Vs. Web Developer

According to Glassdoor, as of August 2024, the average salary of a web designer in the United States is $82,091. However, this number varies according to experience, industry, and geographic location.

For example, web designers working in major IT companies get higher salaries while those in smaller markets or less competitive industries might get lower.

On the other hand, web developers get more salary as compared to web designers. The average salary of a web developer is $93,127 as of August 2024 in the United States. The salary also depends on the developer’s expertise and the kind of projects they work on.

Web developers involved in full-stack development, cyber security, or mobile application development earn more as compared to developers working in growing tech industries. 

When to Hire a Web Designer and a Web Developer?

Consider hiring a web designer in the following situations:

• When you need to create a visually appealing and user-friendly website.
• When your existing website needs a modern update.
• When you need to fix navigation issues to improve user experience.
• When you want to modify your website’s design to better reflect your brand identity.
• When you need to design landing pages for events like webinars.
• When you require custom icons, graphics, and other visual content.
• When you need to add responsiveness to your website for better mobile compatibility.
• When you want to A/B test design elements to optimize user engagement.
• When you need to optimize website design for speed and accessibility.

Consider hiring a web developer in the following situations:

• When you need a custom website with specific functionality tailored to your business.
• When you want to integrate APIs or third-party services like payment gateways or CRMs.
• When you need to fix technical glitches.
• When you require management and updates for your website’s databases.
• When you need to implement a CMS.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the difference between a web designer and web developer, you can easily determine if you need a web designer or web developer for your website. 

Hire a web developer when you need to solve technical issues, custom websites with specific functionality, or when your business requires regular updates and maintenance for optimal performance. Hire a web designer when you need a visually appealing and user-friendly website that aligns with your brand identity and enhances the overall user engagement and experience. Or hire fullstack developer who can handle both front-end and back-end development tasks.

As you analyze your website’s design and technical requirements, consider using a no-code website builder like Webnode to streamline the process. With Webnode, you can quickly create a stunning, responsive website tailored to your business needs.

Webnode’s AI website builder makes creating a website on your own easy.

Author Bio: Irov Vaul is a content marketing specialist, demand generation enthusiast, and team player who is currently working with 2xSaS. He helps B2B SaaS companies spread the word about their products through engaging content.

The post Web Designer Vs. Web Developer: What’s The Difference? appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

This article will guide you through effectively adding parallax scrolling visual effects to your site. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from understanding its origins and benefits to exploring potential pitfalls and best practices.

What is the Parallax scrolling effect? 

The parallax effect is a visual technique where background images move more slowly than foreground images as you scroll down the page, creating an illusion of depth and immersion. 

Originally used in classic animation and video games, this technique has found a new home in web design, offering an engaging way to enrich customer experience.

In simpler terms, parallax refers to the phenomenon where objects closer to the viewer appear to move more quickly than those further away when viewed from a moving point, such as when scrolling through a web page. 

This differential movement adds depth, making flat 2D designs appear almost three-dimensional.

Advantages of using Parallax scrolling on your website

1. Enhanced User Experience

The parallax scrolling effect can turn a standard webpage into an exploratory experience, capturing the user’s attention and encouraging them to scroll further. This immersive experience can increase user engagement and time spent on the site.

2. Increased Engagement and Interactivity

By adding interactive elements that respond to user actions, such as scrolling, the parallax effect can make users feel more connected to the content. This heightened engagement can result in better user retention and higher conversion rates.

3. Improved Aesthetics and Visual Storytelling

The use of parallax scrolling can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your site. By dynamically directing users’ attention, it allows for more compelling visual storytelling. Web designers can use this technique to highlight key sections or to create a narrative flow that guides users seamlessly through the entire website.

4. Better Retention Rates

Engaging visuals and an interactive experience can lead to better retention rates. When users find a website visually pleasing and interesting, they are more likely to stay longer, return more often, and explore more of what it has to offer.

5. Showcasing Creativity and Modernity

Using a parallax can set your website apart and convey a sense of modernity and innovation. This can be particularly beneficial for brands aiming to project a forward-thinking image or for portfolios that want to showcase technical skills and creativity.

6. Highlighting Important Elements

The parallax scroll can draw attention to specific elements or sections of your webpage, such as call-to-action buttons, product features, or testimonials. By creating a more engaging and memorable presentation, these key areas are more likely to capture user interest.

Potential Drawbacks of Parallax

While the parallax effect offers numerous benefits in terms of engagement, aesthetics, and user interaction, it has potential drawbacks. 

Understanding these limitations is crucial to using this technique effectively and ensuring your website remains functional, accessible, and user-friendly.

1. Slower Load Times

Parallax often requires multiple high-resolution images and complex animations. These additional resources can significantly impact the load times of your website, particularly on slower internet connections. Longer load times can lead to higher bounce rates and negatively affect your site’s SEO performance.

2. Navigational Challenges

Parallax scrolling can sometimes create challenges for users using assistive technologies, such as screen readers. Elements that move independently of the scroll may confuse these tools, making it difficult for visually impaired users to navigate and understand the content.

3. Visual Overwhelm

Too much movement and animation can overwhelm users, making it difficult for them to focus on the primary content of your site. Overdoing the parallax effect can lead to a cluttered and chaotic visual experience that detracts from the user’s ability to absorb information.

4. Diminished Impact

When overused, the parallax scrolling effect can lose its novelty and fail to impress users. What once was a unique and engaging feature can become tiresome and predictable, reducing the overall effectiveness of your site’s visual storytelling.

5. Browser Compatibility

Not all web browsers handle the parallax scroll in the same way. Some older browsers may not support the required CSS and JavaScript features, leading to inconsistent user experiences. Cross-browser testing is essential but can be time-consuming and complex.

6. Mobile Experience

Implementing parallax scroll on mobile devices can be particularly challenging. The smaller screens and touch-based navigation often require different design considerations compared to desktop experiences. Poorly optimized parallax can hinder usability on mobile devices, making it difficult for users to scroll and navigate your site.

Guide to Adding Parallax Effect to Website

Using the parallax on your website can transform a static experience into an engaging visual journey. Below, we provide a guide on how to create a Parallax scrolling effect.

1. Planning and Design

Before you start, thorough planning and design are essential to create a cohesive and effective parallax experience.

Begin by sketching a rough layout of your webpage. Identify which sections and elements will benefit from the parallax effect. This can include background images, text blocks, graphics, and interactive elements.

Think about the story you want to tell. Select elements that will enhance the user experience without overwhelming them. The key is to use the parallax effect to draw attention to important areas and guide users through the content seamlessly.

2. Add Parallax Scrolling Using HTML and CSS

Once you have a clear plan, add the parallax effect using HTML and CSS.

Create the basic HTML structure of your webpage. Here’s a simple example to get started:

“`html

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html lang=”en”>

<head>

<metacharset=”UTF-8″>

<meta name=”viewport” content=”width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0″>

<title>Parallax Effect Example</title>

<link rel=”stylesheet” href=”styles.css”>

</head>

<body>

<div class=”parallax-section” id=”section1″>

<div class=”parallax-background”></div>

<div class=”content”>

<h1>Welcome to Our Website</h1>

<p>Experience the magic of parallax scrolling.</p>

</div>

</div>

<div class=”regular-section”>

<h2>Section 2</h2>

<p>This section has no parallax effect.</p>

</div>

<div class=”parallax-section” id=”section3″>

<div class=”parallax-background”></div>

<div class=”content”>

<h1>Another Parallax Section</h1>

<p>Enjoy more captivating visuals.</p>

</div>

</div>

<!– Add more sections as needed –>

<script src=”scripts.js”></script>

</body>

</html>

Add CSS to control the parallax effect. Here’s an outline of the essential styles you might use:

“`css

body, html {

margin: 0;

padding: 0;

overflow-x: hidden;

}

.parallax-section {

position: relative;

height: 100vh;

overflow: hidden;

}

.parallax-background {

position: absolute;

top: 0;

left: 0;

width: 100%;

height: 100%;

background-image: url(‘path/to/your/image.jpg’);

background-attachment: fixed;

background-size: cover;

background-position: center;

transform: translateZ(-1px) scale(2);

z-index: -1;

}

.content {

position: relative;

z-index: 1;

text-align: center;

padding: 20px;

color: white;

}

“`

In this example, the `background-attachment: fixed;` ensures the background image stays in place while the content scrolls over it.

3. JavaScript for Advanced Effects

JavaScript can provide more control over the layers and depth of the parallax effect. For instance, Parallax.js is a popular library that simplifies implementing advanced parallax scrolling.

Here’s an example using vanilla JavaScript to create a dynamic parallax effect:

“`javascript

window.addEventListener(‘scroll’, function() {

let scrollPosition = window.pageYOffset;

let parallaxElements = document.querySelectorAll(‘.parallax-background’);

parallaxElements.forEach(function(el) {

let speed = el.getAttribute(‘data-speed’);

el.style.transform = ‘translateY(‘ + (scrollPosition * speed) + ‘px)’;

});

});

“`

 Add a `data-speed` attribute to your HTML to control the speed of each parallax background:

“`html

<div class=”parallax-section” id=”section1″>

<div class=”parallax-background” data-speed=”0.5″></div>

<div class=”content”>

<h1>Welcome to Our Website</h1>

<p>Experience the magic of parallax scrolling.</p>

</div>

</div>

“`

4. A level up: Use Headless CMS & Next.js

Implementing the parallax effect with HTML and CSS is straightforward, but using a headless CMS for Next.js on content-heavy websites enhances content management and boosts performance. This approach ensures efficient updates and faster load times, keeping your site visually dynamic without compromising speed.

5. Testing

To ensure your parallax effect is smooth, user-friendly, and compatible with various devices and browsers, thorough testing is essential. Implementing comprehensive QA strategies can help identify potential issues early and ensure that your site delivers a consistent experience across all platforms.

1. Cross-Browser Compatibility

Test your website on multiple browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to ensure the parallax effect functions correctly. Different browsers may interpret CSS and JavaScript differently so some adjustments might be necessary. Using robust testing tools can simplify the process of identifying and addressing inconsistencies.

2. Performance Testing Tools

Utilize performance testing tools such as Google Lighthouse, WebPageTest, or GTmetrix to analyze your website’s load times and resource usage across different speed scenarios. These tools provide valuable insights into elements that might be causing slowdowns and offer suggestions for optimization.

3. Responsiveness Testing

Test how your parallax effect performs on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Ensure that the design is responsive and that the parallax effect enhances rather than hinders mobile usability. Tools like Chrome DevTools can simulate different devices for testing purposes.

4. User Testing

Conduct user testing sessions to gather feedback on the parallax effect’s usability and overall impact. Real users can provide insights you might not have considered, helping you refine and perfect the implementation. Additionally, listening to your audience can complement your user testing by gathering feedback from your broader audience online.

5. Accessibility Testing

Run accessibility audits using tools like WAVE, Axe, or Lighthouse to ensure that the parallax effect does not impede access for users with disabilities. Pay attention to keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility to maintain an inclusive web experience.

Examples of Parallax effect in Webnode

Using Parallax in Webnode is easy because it’s part of a section background settings, so you don’t need any coding. However, the parallax option is available if the section has a suitable background (image). You can activate/disable the parallax effect via Section settings -> Section background -> Background effects -> Animation. 

Below you can find examples of pages created with Webnode that use this background effect:

• See how the parallax effect can make a real estate website more impressive.
• Parallax also effectively adds background depth to accommodation websites.
• Another of the many projects where parallax comes in handy is a construction company’s website.
• But it can also be useful for presenting the environment of physiotherapy services and many other projects, such as for wedding websites.

Wrapping Up

The parallax effect is a powerful tool in the web designer’s arsenal, offering a unique way to enhance user engagement, visual storytelling, and website aesthetics. However, it is crucial to balance creativity with functionality, ensuring that parallax enriches the user experience without compromising performance, accessibility, or usability. Use parallax scrolling wisely and amaze your website users.

Use Webnode templates and enrich your website with the Parallax effect

Author’s Bio:

Managing brand partnerships at Respona, Vlad Orlov is a passionate writer and link builder. Having started writing articles at the age of 13, his once past-time hobby has evolved into a central part of his professional life.

The post Best Practices to Add a Parallax Scrolling Effect to your Website appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

This article delves into the essential aspects of good web design, offering insights and tips to help you create a website that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well.

Index:

1. Website design development
2. Website design principles
3. Good web design practices
4. Web design trends
5. Modern web design examples

Website design development

Website design has evolved a lot over the last 30 years. CERN launcehd the first-ever website in 1991. Like most websites of the early 90s, it was function-based–welcoming us with plain text on a white background. However, as the internet’s popularity grew, so too did web design. Website design encompasses what a visitor sees and interacts with on a website. 

Do you remember the homepages of the late 90s? Boxy styles, garish colors, and limited fonts along with no clear positioning of text made these early sites resemble collages of Word documents and photos stuck to a pinboard. While this colorful kaleidoscope was innovative at the time, modern web design has come a long way since then.

Early web design

Back in the early 2000s, major elements of a website included the navigation bar with tabs to sub-pages, headings of pages, and a logo. The start page was often named as the front page to show the visitor they had landed on the main page. Early web design was table-based, descriptive, and text-focused. It represents the “read-only web” known as Web 1.0.

For the last 14 years we have mostly been using Web 2.0; concentrating on watching, reading, and writing.

Schematic development of the World Wide Web

Web 3.0 takes it a step further, allowing execution. This means visitors can engage with a website like a program or application. Right now, the web is shifting to a symbiotic web (Web 4.0) that allows customized self-learning interaction of the user with websites, apps, and platforms. As internet usage shifted from computers to mobile devices, responsive web design also became an important factor in the visitor experience.

Website design principles

Web design makes websites engaging, interactive, and functional. Good web design allows visitors to find valuable information easily and quickly, in an aesthetically pleasing way. When it comes to getting started with web design, there are a few key principles to keep in mind:

Research

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are essential parts of website design. UX design focuses on creating a seamless experience for the website user whereas UI focuses on the visual aspects. Striking the right balance between aesthetics and functionality is key to good web design. Conducting research and understanding your website visitors’ needs will help you design a website that is not only engaging, but also easy to use.

Styles

The style of a website is fundamental as it delivers the framework of a website. This website design principle describes how elements of a website are positioned relative to each other. The most important ingredients that make up the style are:

• navigation bar
• header (with optional headings and logo)
• website footer
• (optional) sections

Major elements of a website, for example, an image of the top navigation bar, header, and footer

These elements are arranged relative to the navigation bar in a standard style. There are 4 types of standard styles considered to be good web design. A navigation bar to the top or left is the most common. Webnode provides you with templates meeting all standard styles. No matter which template you select, you can always change between these standard styles afterward.

From top left to lower right: hamburger button, top navigation bar, lower navigation bar, and the navigation bar to the left.

Although the navigation bar is still positioned at the top of more than 80% of all websites, flexibility is growing. The clean positioning of a hamburger button (three bold horizontal lines) at the top right corner, opening up all other pages in a dropdown menu, is a newer approach in addition to placing the navigation lower to the middle of the pages.

Usually, the website footer is reserved for legal information, disclaimers, social media contacts, and other links. Half the world displays the contact info on the right of the navigation bar. This is why most website templates already hold a space in the navigation menu for the contacts page.

The idea behind the standard style is to provide the visitor with a comprehensive overview. All elements on a page have a dedicated space, leading away from the style used in early website design that resembled a patchwork pattern.

F-Pattern

In Western cultures, people tend to read from left to right and from top to bottom in an “F” pattern. As our eyes move from left to right, whatever is placed on the right side will gain more attention. This is important to consider when planning your content and layout. There are also many trends related to this such as logos being placed on the top left side as a standard practice or expect them at least in the mid-top section.

Layout

In web design, the layout describes what space the major elements of a website take up on the screen.

They can be positioned in the center with borders or take up the entire screen–like a heading in a Word document with wide or narrow spaces between words being placed in the center or to the left.

Single column design

In this layout, the content of a page is laid out in a single column that takes up most of the screen. Due to its simplicity, it is the most commonly used type of layout.

It is especially suitable for displaying content on mobile devices. This makes it very popular in contemporary web design.

Single column design

Split-screen design

Sometimes it is necessary to present more than one piece of content of equal or similar importance next to each other.

The common format for this layout is to complement a text box with an image or divide the text into columns. Using two images with a textbox on top or below to split the screen works equally as well.

Variations of this type of layout can be achieved by dividing the screen in different ratios, for example, 50:50.

We can often see this type of layout in the web design for online shops where the information is as important as the product image itself.

Split screen design

Card grid design

This type of design became popular with sites such as Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

The card grid design resembles cards laid out in rows on a table. The cards are images or symbols with optional short text captions that lead the reader to more detail-intensive pages with one click.

The image used in the card grid design makes it easy to identify the different contents of a page. It makes browsing and selecting information more accessible and enjoyable.

Example of card grid design

There are two types of grid layouts:

• based on cards of the same size–such as a square grid
• based on cards of different sizes–so that rows of the grid vary in height

“Above the fold” and “below the fold”

Once a website is opened on a screen, we see the navigation bar, the major header image, a headline, and perhaps some intro text. If we want to see more, we need to scroll down.

What we see from a website without scrolling down is referred to as “above the fold”. Everything else is “below the fold”. Contemporary web design places the most important elements above the fold.

To catch a visitor’s attention, place the best and most important elements of each of your website pages on top so that these are visible without scrolling.

The standard styles and layout give the website a look, but good web design also needs to be practical. We like to find what we seek quickly and easily. Therefore, good web design means functionality. 

SEO boosting elements

These are fields in the website editor to define search engine-relevant terms, such as the:

• meta description
• page name
• web address or URL
• keyword usage in text and titles

Google prioritizes headings within the written website text, giving main headings classified as H1 the top priority.

Modern website creators already define the function of heading types in the code, and so does Webnode.

All headings are automatically coded as H1 so that you only need to worry about what words to use.

Speed

In modern web design, speed goes hand in hand with user-friendliness. Google changed its algorithm in January 2021 to rank websites with optimized loading speeds higher than those loading more slowly.

Webnode websites are coded in such a way that a maximum loading speed is automatically reached on all devices.

User-friendliness

User-friendliness, also known as eye-friendly guidance, relates to how pages are structured within the website and how intuitive the navigation is.

Webnode’s templates emphasize clear and concise navigation that is limited in the number of tabs. Subpages are limited to a maximum of 3 to reach all pages and get to their content quicker.

Furthermore, subpages have a short path to make the web address easy to read and remember. Long paths with several dashes that fill the address bar of the browser are outdated.

Even if your page is a subpage of a subpage, the web address of your gallery will still show as “mysite.com/gallery”. The aim is that a minimum number of clicks will lead the reader to the desired content.

Responsive web design

Responsive web design makes it possible for websites to automatically adapt their appearance to the screen sizes of all devices. This allows the typesetting and text flow to change from a wide screen with fewer line breaks to a narrow screen with many line breaks. Photos in landscape format are also adjusted to portrait format without losing quality or meaning.

To describe the behavior of responsive web design, imagine all the elements of your website are laid out like chess pieces on a flexible gameboard. The board can be squeezed and stretched anytime to any rectangular dimensions while the pieces move to their new positions relative to changes in the dimensions of the board.

At Webnode, all our website templates are automatically programmed as responsive. The website editor automatically formats the text to flow correctly, without the need to implement extra line breaks.

Mobile-first design

This goes hand in hand with responsive design. Rather than designing a website traditionally, with desktop and laptop versions getting designed first, mobile-first websites are adapted to desktop and laptop versions after the mobile versions are made. People who used their mobile devices to visit websites reached 4.3 billion globally in October 2020, and those numbers are continuing to rise.

Google already prioritizes mobile-friendly web design in its rankings. Mobile-first design is not only responsive design, it also incorporates easy structure and navigation as well as fast loading speed. The latter is one of the most important elements of modern web design, which we will talk more about in the following section.

Test often

As we’ve seen over the course of the past 30 years, website design is continuously evolving. What has worked well in the past might not work well in the future so it’s important to test often to find out what is resonating most with your website visitors and adjust anything that isn’t. Also, since website visitors have high standards when it comes to speed and intuitive navigation, it’s essential to revisit your website from time to time to ensure that everything is still working as it should.

Good web design practices

Using a website builder template is a great option if you’re just getting started as it provides you with a style framework and the essential functions for your website. Preselected images, fonts, and colors are included as inspiration for how your website could look like. 

While templates are a great jumping off point, you’ll want to customize your website so it accurately represents your business. When making any changes to a template, you’ll want to keep these modern web design 

Purpose

People expect different things from different types of websites. That’s why one of the most important principles of web design is to understand the purpose of the website. While the fundamentals remain the same, your approach will be very different if you’re designing an online store versus a corporate blog, for example. Understanding the website’s purpose will allow you to employ modern web design principles and techniques in a way that will guide the visitor towards the end goal–for example, making a purchase or subscribing to a newsletter.

Color and typeface

It’s important that your website is visually captivating, but also that it’s readable. Using highly-stylized fonts and incompatible color combinations may make it difficult for website visitors to get the information they need from your website, negatively impacting their user experience. Be sure to avoid this web design faux pas by doing your research on what fonts and color schemes perform best with your target audience.

Texture

Texture refers to the background of your pages or text elements. It does not need to be white nor monochrome. It can be an image of a landscape, some animated flowing water, or just some pattern, for example. In Webnode’s CMS you have an array of different textures for your backgrounds to choose from, and you also have the option to upload your own images.

Structure and guidance

In modern web design, it’s a best practice to keep information on your main pages short and sweet to create interest. From there, you can link to pages with more detail.

An option to give your site more structure could be adding a grid of images following the card grid design. Each image displays a topic or service, which links to more detailed pages. This way you are leaving your visitors in control of what information they want to see and making your page interactive.

Sectioning

Let the sections guide your visitors. For example, on your team page, you can start by sharing a story of how it all began. From there, you can share more information about company milestones and follow that with bios of key team members.

When it comes to good website design, less is more. This relates to all content on a single page, such as length of text, number of varying backgrounds, fonts, and colors. For example, headings are no longer a must in the header of a page– sometimes an image can speak for itself.

Use negative space

White space or empty space on a page, also known as negative space, will give the eye a break. This space is typically a white or subtle colored frame spaced between sections of a page. Use negative space to give the brain time to take in the message.

The rule of thirds

This rule originates from fine arts and describes the ratio of spaces in which features are sketched. Divide each side into equal thirds of a page. The intersecting lines are the guidelines for eyes to follow and where one strategically places an object.

“The Cliff Walk at Pourville” by Monet shows two ladies looking out to the sea of Normandy. They are standing to the middle right side with a perfectly clouded sky in the upper third of the painting.

The Cliff Walk at Pourville (1882) by Claude Monet (Art Institute of Chicago) is the perfect example of how the rule of thirds applies.

It is not a coincidence that such images are balanced and easy to comprehend.

You can apply this principle to web design by filling in your most important information in one-third of the page and balance the opposite side with something less intense but complementary.

Example of the rule of thirds, the grid line indicates the nine possible areas, where one can place an object.

Luckily, the Webnode editor helps you with positioning your content within a single section by letting you choose the sector of the nine possible placements when applying the rule of thirds.

Consistency is key

Consistency is essential to all aspects of your web design–from the color, texture, and fonts you choose, to the amount of information you display and your topic. Remember to keep it simple and give the reader one topic per page. 

For example, if you have a carpentry company and you want to present carpenter-related stories and tips; no one needs to see the boozy pictures of the last company day out. Instead, include videos of customers who tried your product or your own video demonstrations. Be a bit creative, but be consistent.

Visual hierarchy

Another best practice in modern web design is to prioritize the visual hierarchy. Using visual elements to strategically draw the website visitor’s eye and direct them where to go can be very impactful when it comes to website design. Arranging the elements on a website page in order of importance can better help the visitor grasp the most important information and flow through the content.

Good content

The web page content is also an important part of web design. You can have the most beautiful and functional website, but if the content falls flat, you can expect a high bounce rate. Keep visitors engaged with high-quality content that effortlessly flows throughout the website structure.

Web design trends

Simplicity

One of the biggest web design trends is simplicity. Too much clutter or information can distract website visitors and make it difficult for them to find the information they’re searching for. Minimalist design is best when it comes to getting the website engagement you’re looking for.

Flat design is a form of minimalism in web design, giving each element more space and background. It shows everything in clear, harmonious colors. Additionally, the intensity of text fonts, lines, and backgrounds is brighter, sharper, and highly defined. Think about Mies Van de Rohe and the open, wide, and light Bauhaus-style architecture of the 1920s and 30s–but for websites.

3D

In addition to simple forms, 3D effects have emerged. Neumorphism is a type of design that gives shapes, such as buttons and icons, shades to enhance their outlines. It gives the shape an elevated appearance relative to its background.

Example of neumorphism

Webnode incorporates such nuances by giving you the option to add a decorative border to sections and shade effects to uplift buttons.

Decorative border example and shade effects

Dark or gradient

When it comes to the website background, dark designs with gradient colors are becoming increasingly popular. Soft hues that grade from light to dark, contrast or complementary colors, and dark backgrounds are easier on our eyes and make our ever-increasing screen time more bearable.

Storytelling web design

It is not only the visual part of a site that will make it interesting. It is also the story behind the images. Website creators use illustrations, animations, and memes to tell a story.

Why not tell your business history on how you became a chef, a carpenter, a hairdresser, a craftsperson, or a mechanic by utilizing the life story of a hero character with playful images?

You’ve probably already met the faceless folk in muted colors on our pages and social media posts who tell you about a new feature or function.

Memes and emojis are no longer restricted to social media and chat. They make us see things lightly, with a sense of humor and they help bring the point across. Websites thus blend more harmoniously with what is presented on their social media equivalents.

AI chatbots

These are the little helpers for your site to engage with your visitors in real-time. You may have closed that chatbot bubble, skeptically thinking that such automatization is impersonal. Website chatbots are limited in their responses. Artificial intelligence is now taking things to the next level.

Interactive web design

Any website that creates an interaction with the visitor; be it through a bot, a poll, a quiz, or a form, uses interactive web design. True interaction goes a step further by making the visitor feel empowered and in control. They know where to get intuitive navigation. They can ask questions anytime or give feedback.

The aim is to make interaction with the site much smoother and at the same time more advanced. This ranges from analyzing the path of a visitor from opening the landing page to the purchase of a product, to including the use of chatbots and app-like features on the site.

From a marketing point of view, interactive web design has the sole purpose of having calls to action and making a conversion. 

Unconventional styles

In a wider sense, interactive web design is also challenging some new and unconventional ideas about the website standard styles. For example, new web design offers the possibility of creating websites with non-traditional scrolling where the movement is like a swipe. It is directed sideways instead of top to bottom.

Diagonal web design is the other rising trend that incorporates diagonal shapes into the background to guide the user from left to right and help to scroll downwards to points of interest. For example, a diagonal line leads to a desired button to encourage action.

Tip: Explore the Parallax Scrolling Effect – one of the trends in modern web design.

Micro-interactions

Micro-interactions are often triggered by an action that the website visitor takes, such as clicking a button, and require a small action like toggling a switch. They are designed to encourage or discourage the user from doing something.

Animations

Animations are another modern web design feature that help guide website visitors to take action. They draw attention to particular areas of a webpage and provide added engagement to the user experience.

Modern web design examples

Webnode’s professionally designed website templates incorporate the best practices and principles of web design. From clean-cut blogs to e-shops designed to convert, our website templates effortlessly combine the essential functionality and captivating aesthetics of modern web design.

Start your web design with website templates

The post Modern Web Design: Principles, Trends and Best Practices appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

What is a digital portfolio?

A digital portfolio is more than just an online presentation of your work—it’s a powerful tool for showcasing your skills and experiences to potential employers, recruiters, or clients.

Imagine it like a collage of your finest work examples, compiled in the form of a portfolio website or landing page. From graphic designers and photographers to illustrators and writers, a digital portfolio allows individuals from various fields to exhibit their unique talents effectively.

What to include in a digital portfolio

Your resume should reflect your professional persona. It will have the biggest impact when its content is tailored to your specific line of work. However, the following key elements will apply across industries:

• About Me section
  • This is your digital handshake. In this section, you will briefly introduce yourself and your previous work. It is like a small work biography highlighting the best bits of your career.
• Contact
  • This part should never be missed on any website. Provide your contact and location details or ensure new contacts can reach you through a form.
• Work samples
  • Showcasing your work examples will supplement your about me section. Give examples of your best results so people know what they can expect from working with you. You can show this as a video, gallery, or text snippet.
• Expertise and resume
  • Optional, for those readers who want to know more about you, provide them with your CV. Offer the flexibility to download your resume and skill set.
• Awards
  • You are the best! Bring your wins and honors forward by showing your certificates and prizes.

How to create a portfolio website

This guide to creating a digital portfolio will help you build your personal or professional online presence effortlessly:

Choose a website builder

Select a user-friendly website builder with intuitive navigation that suits your needs. Ideally, one that lets you upgrade the features as you need them. One like Webnode, for example. It is a drag-and-drop platform that does not require any coding skills.

Stylize the design and layout

A visually catchy design with a clear wide layout will get your content straight across. Seek to adapt the style, font, and colors to your persona. When creating your personal portfolio website, you can save yourself the work by using pre-designed website templates.

Streamline your content

Context is the queen, and content is still king. Highlight your work with the appropriate headlines, concise text, and more images or videos. Focus on the about me section and work examples. A constant theme running through your pages that is easy to follow and understand will ensure your visitors that they’ve found the right person they searched for.

Master SEO

Optimizing all of your written content for search engines is the basis of all web presence. Choose your written words to match the specific keywords and key phrases recruiters search for. Read more in “How to do SEO yourself” to get better organic results.

Use social media

Linking your resume to your professional social media accounts will generate more visitors, cultivate an exchange with collaborators or partners, and signal that you are proactive. What’s more, it’s increasingly common these days for recruiters to contact you with a job offer via social media after looking at your CV and profile online. You can share your portfolio’s QR codes on social media for recruiters to quickly view your profile.

Connect to job platforms

Similar to social media, also link your online presentation to job platforms like LinkedIn, CreativePool, Dribble, or Upwork. Recruitment skills are in high demand on these platforms, with numerous recruiters actively seeking talented individuals.

Update regularly

Last, but not least, keep your portfolio website fresh! When you regularly update your content and keep up with the latest trends, you will make it more relevant and authentic. It will also further improve your ranking in search engines. In addition, it is a signal to recruiters and prospective clients that you are developing in your field and have an overview of current events.

Portfolio website templates

Having an appealingly designed portfolio will make your work automatically more attractive. This is why choosing the right portfolio website template is crucial at the start. Webnode’s free portfolio website templates are created by our professional UX Designers. They follow the latest trends in web design.

Examples of portfolio website templates

Presenting your digital portfolio effectively

It is not only the look and content that will make your presentation great. To get the maximum possible reach, these last ingredients will enhance your professional online presence and let you share it effectively:

1. Your Domain

Bring your name across by registering your own domain name, which reflects your personality. Your domain and professional e-mail address will give you authenticity, trust, and seriousness. Plus, it will establish your brand right from the start.

Tip: If you already have your brand established, you may find extra help in our brand resume.

2. UX (User Experience)

Concentrate on bringing your message across as simply as possible. Keep the content neat, tidy, and concise. Ensure all your pages load fast and are easy to navigate through with minimal scrolling and clicks. Let your call to actions entice the reader to get in touch with you.

3. Constant Marketing

Populate your resume on social media and job platforms as early as possible. As soon as you have your domain connected and are indexed with Google begin to advertise for your work in:

• groups,
• local events and conferences,
• your social media channels.

Be active constantly by posting regularly to raise your client base. Keep readers and followers in the loop by proactively engaging with trends, news, and more. Another way to do this is to write blog posts about topics related to your work, which also shows how knowledgeable you are in your field.

Are you an artist creating a digital portfolio? We have some tips for your online art portfolio. It compliments your existing presence on job platforms and materials such as your resume and recommendations.

An online portfolio is the best visual way to present your work, so get started today and showcase your professional prowess in the online world.

Create your free portfolio website

The post How to Make a Digital Portfolio appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Artificial intelligence vs. machine learning

AI (artificial intelligence) is something non-human that is capable to acquire knowledge. Machine learning (ML) describes a structured process in which AI is implemented to gain experience from learning.

For a machine to learn, data needs to be fed into it. Algorithms let it perform a task. These are then re-programmed to optimize the task or output. Here is where AI comes into play. It improves results. As AI and ML are intertwined, we will talk about AI as a system, even though technically it is implemented in a system.

Types of AI

What is the impact of AI? We understand it as an evolving thing that started to pass three stages:

• Specialized or artificial narrow intelligence (ANI)
• Artificial general intelligence (AGI)
• Artificial superintelligence (ASI)

ANI are goal-orientated systems, designed to solve specific problems. These are reactive machines and have limited memory. It is all about machine learning and automation.

Types of artificial intelligence

Reactive machines

Are basic systems that respond to human interactions, like Deep Blue, a chess game the famous player Garry Kasparov lost in the 90s. Equally, Netflix is giving you recommendations based on your watched movies. Another example is the set-up of your SPAM filter.

Limited memory

Systems learn from past experiences to make predictions. They require to store information over years. Self-driving vehicles, like the Paris Metro Line 1, is one example. Another one would be the facial recognition system on your phone knowing it’s you, even if you have your baseball cap on.

AGI are machines that can multitask and are built to learn anything. They think and feel like a human. You would come across it as the theory of mind and self-aware systems.

Theory of mind

This intelligence understands human emotions and responds accordingly. The cash machine is not yet comforting you when you overdraft your credit card with deep regrets. Imagine a bar of Snickers coming out of the machine: “You will need it, honey. You are at –500 USD!“

Self-aware systems

Are an extension of the Theory of Mind. A self-conscious multitasking machine, that is aware of itself, its actions, and consequences. Like Marvin, the depressive android (from A hitchhiker’s guide through the galaxy).

Marvin the paranoid

Were you waiting for a real example of AGI you are using daily?
There is none. It is not developed yet.

Any software that recognises our voice, and face and answers all questions, seemingly multitasks. But, it is an algorithm that searches data for a match fitting your request, not a human-like thinker. All current systems cannot reason like humans and have no cognitive functions. This lack of humanness is mocked as artificial stupidity.

Super intelligent AI is a spin-off of AGI and is completely hypothetical. Imagine a lifeform that excels in everything better than any human with endurance, accuracy, and speed. It would be cleverer than several Grigori Perelman’s (highest IQ of 236) and quicker than Eliud Kipchoge (< 2h marathoner) combined. A new race might be born.

The dark side of AI

Only in the last decade, we have had more insight into AI. The imminent rise of general artificial intelligence (AGI) lets people discuss its risks and how it could change the world.

Bias, a human thing

AI systems are created by humans who have unconscious biases. Therefore, the system has given parameters for given groups and thus can be discriminating, inaccurate, and unfair.

I believe anybody who tells you he is unbiased is a liar. Being human gives you bias, and you can’t avoid that. The best you can ever hope to be is fair.

David Poole

AI revolution

Robots are taking over. A fear that is not only portrayed in various films like Idiocracy.

Automation is already taking place. According to analysis from McKinsey and PwC, by the mid-2030s 30% of all existing jobs will be automated by AI, secretaries, clerks, ticket offices and cashiers being among them. An AI headshot generator can create professional profile images for business applications without needing a photo shoot.

But it does not mean that AI is dangerous. Automating mundane, repetitive tasks will free up people to focus on productive, higher-value work. It lets employers distribute labour costs efficiently. Even if a superintelligence evolves, it all depends on how we program and use it. Additionally, using office 365 project tools can further streamline processes and improve collaboration within the workplace.

In a brighter scenario, one would create human-like machines that help us to become more carbon neutral, solve the world food crisis, assist the growing older generation and act as coaches to help people with psychological disorders.

Other concerns

Artificial narrow intelligence is vulnerable to hacking and data breaches, which can disclose confidential information. But, used and programmed correctly, AI responds to such potential threats much quicker than traditional measures.

Is a partly AI-generated thesis still yours? Is a distorted Mona Lisa still Leonardo DaVinci’s or does it belong to AI or the one who generated it with AI? For example, Deviant Art lets artists decide if their work will be crawled by robots to produce AI-generated art. Defining creator rights and patents on AI is currently in its infancy. Artificial intelligence creates value that should be protected. This will change in the future.

Enough about the cons of AI, more about the pros.

AI, why should we care?

Because AI is created by humans to make us more efficient. Your friends, your children, and their offspring will influence the applications of AI.

Back in the 50s, it all started with Alan Turing. You know him as the handsome lad who cracked the enigma code and saved the world. You can call him the father of artificial intelligence.

A quick history of AI. 100% generated by GPT-3 algorithms of the open AI playground

Its first applications were in finance and medicine. Without it, something else would have to be the guinea pig in lab tests to develop drugs; and no transactions would happen 24/7 around the globe.

Everyday benefits of AI

At home

A tune shakes her at 7 am. The sun still sleeps, she too, almost. “Alexa switch on the lights!” a grumpy command. At least she is not complaining. She lifts her smartphone near to her face to put an end to Lizzos About damn time. Bling! A reminder in the calendar, that synced the Facebook event she eagerly said “going” to, pops up. It’s a newly recommended meditation group she never thought to find in the neighbourhood otherwise.

Stretch out the feet, slowly. Warmth outside the blanket. So cool to have a radiator you can program. The kitchen is smirking with a “Hoho, no coffee left 😉”. Darn, the machine broke yesterday. Google comes up with the best deals, even though some clumsy fingers typed cofmachi. Pay via Revolut. Easy, it knows her fingerprint.

While organizing her tote bag she whispers “Brian” to call her boyfriend who is just finishing his night shift at the hospital. “Do you want to have breakfast with me and try out that new bakery?” …It looks like it could be her day.

See? We are using AI. Constantly.

Artificial intelligence in business

It helps with your daily office life by taking notes in dull meetings, remembering tasks on your to-do list, and tracking your time. Companies use it to analyze data and replace tasks like financial tracking and legal analysis. Businesses also often use AI in digital marketing.

Clever tools every business should try

• Voice and visual search (Siri and Google Lens)
• Search suggestions, word recognition and autocomplete
• Text to speech generators like Murf
• Build and manage ad campaigns with Creatopy
• Note-taking and recording during meetings with Fireflies
• Completing surveys with Crowdsignal or Surveymonkey or alternatives
• Create personalised marketing campaigns based on your market personas
• Writing and publishing job listings with Textio
• Legal analysis with Legal Robot
• Time tracking software, like Timely
• Monitor and track expenditures without errors
• Quality-improving tools, like Augmentir
• Gatherly event planning
• AI avatar for creating a lifelike digital presence that can interact, assist, and engage users in real-time

Hot tools

Picture driven translators like the Thing Translator are rising. It still needs some fine-tuning, before it will be used instead of Deepl or Google Translate.

Googles image translator, The Thing Translator in action trying to identify a vajilla or cup and a purple pen

Google is making its multi-search function, allowing users to search using images globally available. This includes the nearme function, which lets you find local businesses around you. Both image-based searches require GoogleLens. Nearme is starting with dishes you search for with matching restaurants around the corner. Who knows, perhaps you discover something new about your neighbourhood this way?

Immersive view will be the new Google Earth. It combines ground images and drone videos together including real-time information, like how busy London’s Oxford Street is on a Monday afternoon. For now, we can only enjoy the bird’s eye views only for London, LA, NY, Tokyo and San Francisco.

Open AI playground, ChatGPT and the Google counterpart BART are AI-driven tools to give you any answer or result in form of a coherent text. Take it as guidance or inspiration. It can

• find the right diet.
• write stuff.
• get questions answered for all levels (primary school to a university degree).
• calculate your finances.

You, a high school student, who thinks programmes like Neuro-Flash or ChatGPT are writing your essay on The sorrows of young Werthers (Goethe), while you follow gamers on Twitch. Think again. That AI-generated essay might not be correct. Neither does it have your personal touch.

With all the answers generated by algorithms sweeping the net, you are in control of what you do with the information put out for you. Forming your opinion, questioning, and evaluating.

With a free mind, is there anything that you cannot create? With an unfree mind, is there anything that you can create?

Mehmet Murat Ildan

Beyond the fun of AI

AI is playful. It brings ideas. It nourishes your creativity and entertains you. This is an extract of a poem Open AI Playground created about Webnode:

Webnode, is a mighty tool. So easy to use and cool.  
It lets you build your site, so you can show your might. 
Webnode gives you the power. Make a website in an hour.  

Examples of art created with Dall e

Image creators can give you ideas for personal use, in your business and/ or on your website.

Read also how to build website with AI

The post Advantages of artificial intelligence and why you should be excited about it appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

In this age of instant gratification, it seems like a difficult task. But with the correct use of visually catching and time-approved design elements, you have a high chance to succeed. One of those elements is a slideshow.

The website slideshow has been with us for years and has grown very popular among websites visitors. Therefore it is still relatable and undoubtedly worthy of your precious attention.

What’s more, it can provide a visually strong experience and make a first impression. Moreover, people have an idea of how to use it, so you don’t need to discover America again.

What is a website slideshow?

When you think of a slideshow, forget about your office job. We are all familiar with never-ending PowerPoints. But a slideshow for a website is infinite differently.

Website slideshows show one image/slide at a time, which slides into the next time in a loop.

However, the substantial difference between your manager’s Keynote and your website slider is that the website slideshow is engaging. It doesn’t make you yawn or sleep. On the contrary, it keeps you alert.

When strategically placed above the fold, it helps you catch visitors’ attention, engage them and convert them into customers.

ElfSight Slideshow

Why and when do you need a website slideshow?

As stated above: A well-designed slideshow is a perfect constellation for winning the attention of your website visitors.

And you want that, right?

A website slideshow is perfect for your photography portfolio, yummy photos of your restaurant’s meals, new and featured products, telling a story of your brand, and much more.

Slideshow presents your products more appealingly. You can even use it for showcasing your flagship product more convincingly.

It is also good way for sharing your story or mission more engagingly.

Powr.io SlideShow editor

What makes a good slideshow for a website?

There are some rules that make a website slideshow user-friendly and engaging. While picking the slideshow website template, be sure the template follows these principles:

Enable manual transitions between slides. Use arrows or indicators

Manual sliding is a standard. It is expected by your visitors. They will not even think about not having this option. Don’t surprise them in the wrong way. There’s nothing more frustrating than when you cannot hit the undo/back button.

Show the number of slides by visual clues

Like dots. Or little thumbnails. Or whatever creative symbol you can think of, just put it there. So they know how many to go.

Don’t get overexcited. Limit the number of slides to five

It’s no surprise the first slide will get the most attention. Be mindful about that one.

By default, visitors will also click on the second and maybe the third. But their attention span is so short; they probably won’t check number 189. Even this paragraph is already too long. Are you still reading it? Well, you are unique.

TL;DR, 3-4 slides are alright.

Make the slider mobile-friendly

The only person in this world who is not mobile-friendly is your great-grandmother. But your visitors will most probably view your website on their portable black mirror.

Use optimized images for fast loading

This is pretty obvious. The bigger the image file, the more time it will take to download. For an optimized page, performance prepares the images in the photo editor first. Usually, you will find a preset for web optimization right in the editor.

Be sober when choosing the animation

Transition animation can do two things: engage the visitor or scare him. Make your pick and proceed accordingly.

How to add slideshow to your website

Depending on your user level, you can either choose to:

• Use the built-in slideshow function for the image gallery or product listing
• Create a flipbook and embed it in your website
• Use an external online tool, (search for slideshow maker website) or, finally
• Write your code in HTML, CSS, and Javascript

How to create a slideshow for a website with Webnode

Example of Webnode Photo Gallery Slideshow

Creating a website slideshow image gallery is pretty easy with Webnode.

In the editor, click on the black plus button and choose Image gallery. After selecting the pictures from your device, hit Upload images. Afterward, change the View from the default one to a Slideshow.

And there you go, a photo slideshow for your website is done.

You can find a detailed tutorial in our Knowledge base which is titled How to Add a Photo Gallery.

Example of Webnode Product List Slideshow

For a product listing, the steps are almost the same. As a new content element, add a Product listing. Afterward, choose slideshow view under the Layout option.

More information you will find in the How to Edit a Product Listing article.

Online slideshow generators

Another way is to use a slideshow maker, like Cincopa. These online building tools usually let you create the slideshow for free, so you can try the different options for tweaking it. If you like it enough, you can purchase a premium plan.

Example of Cincopa slider

The created slider you can embed to your website using the HTML window.

You can also use AI slideshow maker tool to generate your slides.

Writing code by yourself

In this case, follow the instructions you can find on W3 schools and such. We wish you good luck.

What about a video slideshow?

A perfect way to present your company, skills, or products is to create a video. Either using pictures or producing an actual video. It’s much more engaging to share information, offers, and knowledge in a visual way.

For creating a video slideshow from pictures, you can use Canva. Then set it as a video background for the homepage header.

The slideshow is not sliding anywhere (a summary)

Contemporary slideshows created by using optimized pictures, thoughtful copywriting, and striking design elements are a perfect way to catch your visitor’s attention and interest.

Simply create a slideshow for your website that doesn’t sound generic like the sentence above.

Creating a slideshow is like opening Pandora’s box of designing and marketing choices. It’s a complex creative process. Have fun with it!

Make your website looks great with a good web design

The post Why and how to create a slideshow for your website appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

When you hear “web design”, what are you thinking of? The layout of a website? Different styles, colours, and backgrounds? Web design is also about fonts and how these fit together to make the site look harmonious. Let’s talk letters and glyphs.

Types

Fonts are distinguished into different types, typefaces, and families. There are three general types, classified on how they are used.

Web fonts

Are the fonts you see in web applications and websites. Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts (formerly known as Typekit) provide a wide variety of selections. For more beautiful and fancy fonts try fontgenerator.io.

System fonts

You tend to come across on PC programs and applications on your mobile device.

Variable fonts

Are sets of fonts containing different weights (thickness) and widths (distance between letters). These are used nowadays as they automatically adapt their properties.

Example of how a variable font can adapt to a given space

Typefaces and font families

A typeface describes how the letters are designed. This includes variations in weight (thin, bold), slope (italic) and width (condensed).

A font family, like Arial, can have several typefaces that have a new font name, for example, Arial Black and Arial Narrow.

Font families are highlighted in blue and their typefaces (white background), examples are given for sans serif and serif fonts

Generally, one can classify font families into typographies: serif, sans serif, display, and script. Subordinated ones exist. Amongst them occur slab serif, modern, monospaced or non-proportional, just to mention a few.

Serif, like Times New Roman, is the classic that originates from newspaper prints.

A serif is a little stroke attached to a letter that follows parallel to the line of text. Serif fonts are thus easier for the eye to read.

Sans serif

From this family, the most known to you is probably Arial and Calibri. They are clear fonts with no embellishing decor or serifs.

Script

Looks like handwriting. Fonts are playful, like the Snell Roundhand or Edwardian font.

Display

Fonts, such as Cooper Black or Fat Face, are bold and unconventional. You will for example see upper and lower-case letters mixed, and dimensions of letters (height and width) reversed.

Evergreens and trends

What in your mind, is a good font? Remember when you scribbled down some notes on a piece of paper and couldn’t read your handwriting later? Obviously, no one wants to decipher a font.

Hence, fonts must be:

• scalable to all dimensions of media, on print and digital without losing quality
• readable in terms of size and script design
• compatible with other font families

A website should show a maximum of three different fonts that go well together and adapt to the needed line length. They do not have to originate from the same font family, but must be clearly readable on all screens and look good with any colours. Their typefaces must be equally well readable.

Versatile classics that never will be boring, are fonts such as:

• Arvo
• Roboto
• Lato
• Merriweather
• Montserrat
• Open Sans
• Times New Roman
• Playfair Display

Fonts in website builders

What fonts is your website editor offering?

Templates a website builder provides you to create your blog, online store, or personal website are designed in such a way that fonts match the topic of the template. Conveniently, you have a distinct selection of fonts to choose from.

In the Webnode editor, you will find the main font types listed in the claims of the navigation line

By the way, Webnodes top used fonts are:

• Montserrat, Roboto, or Open Sans of the sans serif family
• Playfair Display, Pt Serif, or Merriweather for the one with serifs

To change all fonts for your entire website at once is often possible in the design settings of the editor. Here you can change the combination of fonts and font families.

Examples of different combined fonts in the Webnode editor

Font-combinations are automatically “best paired”. They complement each other in such a way that they match the image background and the layout of the site. Thus, they are the cherry on the top of web design.

Trends

The world wide web started with sans serif fonts. Simply because screens back then did not have a sharp resolution to bring out handwritten and experimental font types. Now, creativity is all around us. There is no “wrong” font.

Web typography experiences a renaissance. Google fonts is a source for designers to develop typefaces further.

In 2020, sans serif fonts dominated. Expressive character letterings like Goldplay and Versus were rising. This year, the trend goes towards solidity and clearness. Yet, sans serifs are trending in the digital world. Everybody’s typos are made in geometrically clear sans serifs because they are:

• Bold
• Sharp
• Utilitarian
• Solid
• Clean
• Using negative space

Choosing a font

Enough facts. It is your turn. How do you decide what is the best font to tell your story?

Meaning of fonts

Font families and their typical characters

Fonts convey a mood. They have character. Handwritten-like script fonts flow with elegance and passion. Due to their extended strokes, rounded lines, and bow-like embellishments, they are more decorative. If Cinderella could dance a font, it would be Edwardian script. If a French Michelin-rated restaurant brings out a new signature dish, it should present itself in script fonts.

Display fonts are the chameleon, changing from amusing to unique or playful. The bouncy font on the Jelly Belly bean box knows how to lure you to the right corner in the candy shop.

Modern font types are stylish and bold. You will recognize the Futura font on the high-end fashion brand Dolce & Gabanna as well as your PayPal account.

Because of the old heritage of newspaper prints, serif fonts carry tradition, trust, and respect. The famous fashion magazine Vogue uses Bodoni, a serif font. Apple originally quoted “Think different” in the same font family.

On the contrary, the sans serif font Trade Gothic is used by Nike or Helvetica for The North Face. A sans serif font conveys stability, strength, clarity, and cleanliness, which is often embraced by sports companies.

Are you starting to get a feel for the fine nuances in font types? Which font family will present you best? A good way to start is to clarify what your mission is and what your business represents. If you have a personal site or a blog, lean towards a font that represents your character traits best.

The right choice for your brand

Mostly 2-3 different fonts guide your visitor through the sections of your pages. With them, they will be like chapters in a book. It will be clearer when a new section starts with a heading in a bolder or more decorative font and ends with a normal-sized text.

Different fonts also let you highlight different content or change the tone of voice, for example, if you like to quote someone or draw attention to new offers. Fonts differentiate the product lines of your e-shop better for your customers.

Choose the right font for you and your brand, by answering the following questions:

• Who is my audience and what’s important to them?
• Is there a font that relates to my customers’ experience?
• Will the font work with the context it will be seen in?
• Which font captures my brand’s personality?
• Will my colours work with the selected font?

For example, if your website is supplementing your YouTube channel and you have a lot of thumbnails on a page leading to your videos, or equally have many images if you are an artist. Your audience is looking at your content rather than reading through it. Consequently, your font should not distract from the visual content.

If you are a lawyer or consultant, you may like to reflect trust and liability. An emotional script font would look out of place here.

A font must also be compatible across all browsers. Examine your font choice and its accessibility in browsers used on several devices before you make your final decision. Accessible fonts are critical for people with certain vision impairments (e.g., low-vision), so it’s imperative you select them.

Biggest faux pas

Many font families of different characters and typefaces mixed can ruin the background and context

Finally, knowing what to avoid when choosing your font is sometimes easier to remember than what to do. Here are the most important takeaways:

Respect the family!

Using more than 3 different font families. Stick to one but vary its typeface. A font family such as Helvetica, Verdana, Open Sans has already enough variations in typefaces to distinguish passages in your text.

Not all mixes match

You can mix. Be careful experimenting with opposing characters, such as Times New Roman and Edwardian Script. They will not blend.

Enhancing

Limit embellished script fonts or complex display fonts to highlight headings. Do not use them for text passages in a paragraph.

Space

Do not be stingy with the sizes. A good accessible font size all people can read is 16pt. Go below that and you’ll exclude people with lesser eyesight to read your story.

Long lines

Avoid long sentences or fonts that have a lot of white space between the letters. Normally, in templates of website builders, the layout is coded in such a way that line breaks are introduced before they become necessary.

Raging arrangements

Last but not least, even if you have the best font for your website, make sure all text is aligned properly. Properly means sticking to either centred or right-aligned text on one page. If you have text boxes with lines of text starting at the top-centre and bottom right, the reader will have trouble following the text of your page. Arrange your text. Use white spaces to give your reader a break.

Interested in web design? The Web Design article provide you with insights on how to make your website look awesome.

The post XYZ – A guide to choosing your website fonts appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

What is minimalism in web design?

The web design landscape has shape-shifted dramatically in the past decade. With the advent of cutting-edge devices, lightning-fast internet speeds, and a burgeoning user base, we’ve evolved beyond the era of desktop dominance. Today, crafting captivating digital experiences extends far beyond desktop screens – it’s about embracing the undeniable influence of mobile and tablet browsers as smartphones and tablets steal the show.

A good web designer focuses on the layout, appearance, content and intuitive presentation of a website. Minimalism is the art of having fewer elements in your design. This popular design philosophy promotes the less-is-more approach by eliminating any unnecessary details that don’t support the user experience.

According to Sitepoint, minimalism has many definitions in different industries. In design, the ap test description states that minimalism is an abstract painting and sculpture school that emphasizes severe form reduction, such as basic shapes and monochromatic primary color palettes, objectivity, and stylistic anonymity.

Principles of minimalism in web design

Minimalist designs may appear simple, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to achieve. Four determining factors define a minimalist website. These are visuals, focus, typography, and space.

Minimalism in design spans various arts and industries and it can be challenging to master web design. In web design, minimalism is best achieved when no more elements can be removed without affecting the website’s purpose.

Use flat patterns and features

Flat patterns and features give your web design a simple look. The highlights, shadows, gradients, and other patterns that make User Interface elements look lustrous are not used in flat interfaces. This means your backend will also be simple, which improves page load time.

The features should also be limited to the necessary ones that enhance user experience and hold critical content. Elements include menu, links, buttons, icons, colors, fonts, and even images used.

Use text blocks

Dividing and arranging your content in blocks helps users understand the information better and makes the design look organized.

Use monochromatic color palettes

Examples of monochromatic palettes

When choosing colors to use for web design, minimalists often go for monochromatic palettes; mostly in black and white or shades of grey and white.

When choosing your color palette, you should ensure your color scheme has enough contrast for users with poor vision or color blindness to read it. It is best to consider using accent colors deliberately and consistently to draw attention to essential information or primary actions.

Use whitespace

Minimalist web design is all about using a lot of whitespace or negative space. The spaces between the content are just as important as the content itself.

Negative space enhances your users’ focus on the content displayed. Cluttering the web page with many items distracts users from the most important content on your website.

Whitespace also forces web designers to be extremely careful and selective with what they choose to display and ensure it sends a clear message to readers.

Use bright and limited colors

Although monochromatic colors are very popular in minimalist design, it doesn’t mean they will not work with bright colors. It also guarantees a minimalist design just because the web page is in black and white.

Minimalists often use bright colors but are limited to two or three at most. You can use one color in the background to act as negative space and another to show links and textual content. This will be a navigation signal for your users.

As a web designer, you should determine your color palette at the beginning and set it as the basis to avoid deviations that would risk the uniformity of your website.

Use fancy and loud fonts

Using dramatic typography compensates for having less content on the web page and also communicates meaning to users. Font size, weight, and style all play a role in assisting users in understanding the hierarchy and relative importance of text.

Using images with texts can be an excellent way to customize your typography. However, it has the trade-off of increased page load time and also requires more considerations such as scaling. The following article about fonts, their types, and their psychological effect will help you to select the right font for your site.

Why should you use minimalism in web design?

While it’s good to simplify website designs, you must be careful not to cross the line into primitive functionality. An excellent minimalist website offers sophisticated functionality while giving users a relaxed feel.

Some advantages of minimalism in web design include:

Content focus

The structure and categorization of content on your website are just as critical as the colors, font type and images used. Users should get your website’s main message quickly when scanning through it.

Content is organized in spaces that improve readability by using vivid contrast between the images, text, and white background. The straightforward typography and lack of irrelevant buttons and text links make the content more visible.

SEO friendliness

Some factors optimize your website for users. SEO friendliness drives traffic to your website by giving it better visibility on search engines like Google.

Minimalist websites have features that allow search engines to analyze the website and understand its purpose efficiently. For better SEO, a website must be minimalist in its backend and the code used.

Websites with fast-loading pages attract users and are often rated highly for Search Engine Optimization. You don’t want to wait 10 seconds before you can access the services. Minimalist web designs have fewer elements and that makes the pages load faster. A well-designed minimalist website takes about three seconds to load.

Minimal design leads to high SEO, putting your website at the top of Google’s results. This has a positive impact on the company’s name and image and can build the brand. Large companies like Apple have centered their entire design on minimalism, from their product designs to their site’s design.

Better user experience

The simple nature of minimalist web designs makes them easy to navigate. There is no confusing content like cluttered text links. The results of the website are organized in a beautiful, easy-to-read structure.

Minimalist websites remove pop-up options that can be annoying to users. Random “Buy Now” buttons make the users feel pressured and leave the website too quickly. Minimalist websites give users time to go through the content and make an informed purchasing decision.

The large whitespace in minimalist websites also gives the design a “zen” feel. When visiting your website, users will not feel overwhelmed with information. The relaxed design allows them to engage with your website and the freedom to browse through it peacefully.

Professionalism

Minimalist websites appear sophisticated, and users will relate these websites to prominent professional organizations as a result. Your company, therefore, appears bigger than it is and more professional. More users opt for larger businesses because they have more reviews and are more trustworthy.

A minimalist website can impact your users psychologically and make them trust you more by having a simple design.

Challenges of minimalism in web design

The main challenge in minimalist designs is keeping the design simple but not primitive. You want to create a simple-looking website with sophisticated functionality. It takes much skill, research and practice to master the art of minimalism in web design.

Another challenge is keeping the web design simple but not limited.

If not done carefully, removing visual cues for interactive parts or navigation alternatives might detract from the overall user experience. You tidy up the UI, but you also make it more difficult for users to move through the site.

Many designers have made the mistake of introducing hidden navigation while pursuing minimalistic web design. Hiding navigation options in UI elements such as dropdown menus make it harder for users to find information on your website.

To encourage users to spend more time on your website, it is essential to put all critical information within reach by using clickable image cards with summarized information that can redirect them accordingly.

Final words

Achieving more with less is a complex concept. Being a successful minimalist web designer comes down to finding a balance between user experience and simplicity. It may take a lot of practice, but every minimalist web designer follows the same principles to ensure they are on the right track.

Do you want to design your own website? Read more about good web design

The post Minimalist Web Design: Principles and Challenges appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.

Read our tips on how to design a wonderful homepage that makes passers-by look inside and search for more.

Some visitors know your business already. When they enter your site they know exactly where to click to find news and their favorites. They take time to browse and dig deep for the new stuff.

Others just come from general search results. They quickly scan your homepage for headlines and distinctive clickable buttons. They’re on a mission, they don’t have time for figuring out how your website works. Or even reading the copy texts and longer headlines.

Instead of reading, they scan. Therefore, if you won’t provide them with the answers they’re looking for, they’re gone within a few seconds.

This might sound a bit scary, but it’s not. This is when the fun begins! You will only benefit from your website once you design the homepage thoughtfully. Let’s check out how!

The benefits of a great homepage design

1. A well designed homepage tells your customers who you are and how you can help them.

Welcome your visitors by clearly telling them who you are, what you can do for them, and your superhero power.

Surely you’ve already heard of a unique selling proposition (USP), in other words, the thing that makes your business better than your competition. Make crystal clear why you are superior to others right away.

The more clear your homepage is, the better your visitors will understand you and, consequently, the higher your chances to convert them will be.

2. A well designed homepage lets you build your brand.

A homepage has an important impact on your business. That’s why you should make it look professional. Keep your brand identity strong so your visitors instantly recognize you the second they land on your homepage.

Chances are you already have your logo, tagline, brand colors, and visuals ready. If you don’t have them yet, now is the time. Use them on your website so your visitors can instantly connect the website with your offline presence.

3. A well designed homepage puts visitors on the path to conversion.

A clear homepage successfully engages visitors with the right bits of information, strategically placed CTAs, and other navigation options.

It leads the visitor deeper into the page, leaving a memorable experience or directly converting them into your new customers.

Consider your customer’s journey

Digital customer experience describes the path of steps that your customer goes through from landing on your homepage to making the purchase, and beyond.

Knowing this journey will help you to design your homepage and, consequently, all your other pages better.

Try to imagine your average customer

• Who are they?
• What is their goal?
• What do they need when they enter your page?
• How can you fulfill their needs?

And how can you fulfill those needs without making the customer work hard for the solution when they have no time for that?

Once you have a specific persona in your mind, you are ready for designing. Give them a name and avatar to make it feel even more personal.

Example of a User Persona

Now, try to imagine your webpage visitor’s journey as your homepage is a real store.

Accompany them from the entrance until the check out.

Address all their questions.

Make the homepage big enough to satisfy all their queries. (But don’t overdo it. You can still use a “read more” button and send the visitor to another page.)

In short, make it a pleasant experience so they will come back.

Pro tip: Use the chatbox to imitate a real sales process. This way, instead of chatting with your customer face-to-face, you will communicate with them in real-time via live chat.

Learn how to install a live chat window here.

What is an effective homepage layout?

The average homepage is divided into two sections – above the fold and below the fold.

These terms were coined in the newspaper industry, where the most important stories were placed on the top half of the first page. Therefore, everyone who passed a newsstand would see the top stories. This practice is still efficient, so it’s used in web design as well.

The Fold Scheme

Homepage design elements to keep above the fold

One of the most important parts of your homepage is undeniably the content that appears on the top half of the front page – or, put differently, above the fold. So what elements should be placed here?

Clear navigation

Be as efficient as possible while creating the navigation. Remember, the more clicks away from the goal, the more time spent on the way to conversion.

Include only the most necessary pages in your main navigation and put the rest, like Terms & Conditions or Privacy Policy, into the footer.

Don’t hide all your services or product categories under a bland label – name it directly, if possible.

Also, don’t overload your visitors with too many options.

Consider these examples: Imagine you are now looking for some cacti for your collection. Which navigation makes it quicker and easier to find the cacti offer for you?

An Examle of a not-that-clear navigation

An Example of a clearer navigation

Hero section with strong visuals

Another well approved feature is called the hero section. Usually, it’s an oversized banner image at the top of a website.

Here, clearly state your mission – who you are, what you do, how can you help visitors.

Be as clear as possible, never vague.

Keep it short and to the point.

Think of it as a billboard on the highway. You need to get the attention of fast moving drivers and deliver your message clearly within seconds.

Also, use the best images possible to present yourself. Along with images, consider using poster templates to make engaging posters that will pique the interest of your site visitors. People react much sooner to pleasing visuals than to the text.

Don’t repel them with low-quality pictures from some photo bank. Be your best self.

An Overcrowded Hero Section

Clear call-to-action button (CTA) for committed visitors

Committed visitors are those who are likely to react to the call to action as soon as they see it as they are already determined to buy the product.

An Example of Unclear CTA

An Example of a Clear Call-to-Action button

On the other hand, non-committed visitors will need another CTA later on in the page, one that is placed below the right amount of copy.

Again, think of the customer’s journey – place the CTA at the point where they are educated enough about your products or services and encouraged by the accompanying content to convert. This leads us below the fold!

Homepage elements to put below the fold

So you scrolled down and found yourself below the fold. This is the place that doesn’t get read either.

Remember, people don’t read, they scan. How to best deal with this fact?

Design the rest of the page as a launchpad

Make the homepage the launchpad which easily points your visitors to other important pages they might be looking for. Don’t give away everything at once.

Use just snippets of the content published on the other pages and prompt the visitors to click and learn more about your product, services, company, etc. by clicking on a specific button or link. Make them dig deep.

Design Your Homepage As a Launchpad

Back up with social proof

Collect the testimonials from your satisfied customers or showcase your client’s logo. Were your services featured in prominent magazines? Show it proudly!

Show the testimonials and references from your customers

Homepage design best practices

Great sites use conventions because the conventions work.

People want your site to be like the others. That’s why the sites are similar, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

For example, people expect the logo in the top left to lead back to the homepage. Further, they also expect contact information in the top right.

This way they know how to operate the website immediately without too much thinking about its functionality. Which leaves them enough cognitive capacity to think about your product or services instead. Win-win.

An Example of non-conventional homepage layout

Don’t overdo it

Remember Coco Channel: always take off the last accessory you put on. The same goes for all the buttons, copy texts, videos, gifs, memes, and titles you just added.

Show only the important stuff. Leave some content for the other pages.

An Example of over-crowded Website

Make CTA attractive and clear

Choose contrasting colors for the button against the background, so it stands out. Use short but self-explanatory texts. Don’t leave space for guessing what the button does or the visitor asking themselves: “should I click it at all”.

Less is more

To remind you once again, people don’t read. They scan. Transfer important messages to them in the fewest words possible.

Yes, they are interested in your story, but only if the story is a maximum of two sentences long.

Choose really good pictures or videos

Quality matters. It immediately helps you also to stand out and build your brand. Plus, keep the size of the file in mind.

Preferably stay under 600 kB for the hero image and 250 kB for the other ones.

Use the visual hierarchy properly

There are titles, subtitles, paragraphs, and buttons. Therefore, always use the same type of formatting for equally important content. Don’t confuse your visitors.

The World’s Worst Website Ever

Avoid creating false footers

People tend to react to the darker section of the website as if it’s the end. They won’t scroll down as there should be no important content at the very bottom of the page. Again, don’t confuse your visitors with false bottoms.

Beware of false footers – the Black Section in the Middle

Key takeaways on how to design the homepage of a website

• First impressions matter. Be professional. Use quality images and pleasant colors.
  
  
• Visitors on a mission don’t read, they scan. Keep the copy texts as short and concise as possible.
  
  
• Make CTAs attractive and irresistible to click by choosing the right color and on-point words.
  
  
• State clearly who you are and what you do. Use the hero section for this.
  
  
• Convention works. Most sites use the same structure simply because it works and it is expected by visitors. Benefit from it. Don’t confuse your visitors.
  
  
• Don’t overdo it. Show only what’s necessary.

Do you want to design all your pages? Look how to do a good web design

The post How to design a website homepage appeared first on Webnode Blog EN.