As you know by now, there are many factors that go into designing a website. One that we take very seriously is what is visible “above the fold”, which is a term that refers to the part of the screen that is visible without needing to scroll down. The content and design which shows above the fold is what will keep visitors engaged and keep them from immediately leaving your site.
There are two schools of thought on how page layout should work above the fold. One school believes in a strong and large header; the other believes that starting the content as far up on the page as possible. Here are the pros and cons of each:
Large Header
Pros:
- A large header allows the site to make a large visual impact immediately
- It lends itself to stronger brand recognition on site
- It has the potential to really grab a visitor’s attention who may not be as swayed by words
Cons:
- The written content has to move lower, and can end up below the fold if the design is large enough
- Visitors need to take the time to scroll down to see if your site is one they want to continue on
- It’s harder to put an emphasis on the content of the site
Content High On Page
Pros:
- The content has the most emphasis
- Visitors do not need to scroll down to see what the site is all about.
- With so many sites out there, starting content higher leads to a larger chance visitors will stay for longer.
Cons:
- It’s much harder to make a strong visual impact
- Branding can be more difficult
- Strong visuals can engage a visitor faster
In the end, there really is no right answer. We talk with clients and give them both sides of the story in order to determine what is right for each individual client. You can see on our site we go for the visual, but we are a company that focuses on design, so for us it make sense. Let us help you figure out what makes the most sense for your business.