What to include in your website header. The header is the first thing everyone sees when visiting your website. It’s a crucial design element and can make or break your web presence by conveying a specific message.
What is the website header?
The website header is the first thing people see when visiting your site. Making a good impression with your header is vital because it will set the tone for the rest of the site. There are a few things you should keep in mind when designing your website header:
- Keep it simple. Your header should be easy to read and understand. Avoid using too many words or confusing graphics.
- Make it relevant. Your header should be relevant to the content of your site. If you’re selling products, your header should reflect that. If you’re a blog, your header should also reflect that.
- Use branding elements. Your header is great for including your logo or other branding elements. This will help people remember your site and what it’s about.
- Use brand colours. With web design leaning towards dark text on white (or near white) backgrounds to ease readability on mobile devices – the header is one of the few places you can use strong brand colours to set out your brand on every page of your website.
- Short contact Information. If you are the kind of business where people phone to book, make sure your phone number is part of the header – it will load at the top of every page. Consider your main email address and Social Media links too.
- Don’t be afraid to update. Be sure to update your header regularly, especially if you frequently feature different content on your site. This will keep people coming back to see what’s new.
The header is a good place to use bold brand colours
Create clear navigation
Your website headers should help visitors quickly and easily find the content they’re looking for. That means creating straightforward navigation that is easy to follow. Consider using drop-down menus or other tools to help visitors find their way around your site. You may also want to include links to popular blog posts or articles on your website header. This will give visitors a starting point as they begin to explore your site.
Make it mobile-first
If you’re unsure what to put on your website headers, keep it mobile-first. Your header should be designed for mobile users first and then desktop users. This is important because more and more people are using their mobile devices to browse the internet.
Your header should be easy to read and navigate on a mobile device. It should also be engaging so that people will want to stick around and read your content. Remember that people have shorter attention spans when they’re on their phones, so you’ll need to make a good impression quickly.
Mobile navigation is essential
Consider including a call-to-action (CTA) in your header, so people know what you want them to do next. For example, a CTA could be “subscribe to our newsletter” or “check out our latest blog post.” Make it easy for people to take action by putting your CTA front and centre.
And finally, don’t forget about SEO! Make sure to include keywords in your header so that people can find your website when they’re searching. If you’re unsure what keywords to use, try researching using Google’s Keyword Planner tool.
In summary
Your website header is one of your site’s most important pieces of real estate. It’s typically the first thing visitors see when they arrive, so you want to ensure you’re making a good impression. Here are a few tips for what to put on your website headers:
- A clear and concise headline that tells visitors what your site is all about
- A tagline or strapline that further explains your site’s purpose
- A call to action, such as “Subscribe Now” or “Buy Now.”
- Brand colours.
- Your company logo
By following these tips, you can ensure that your website headers are working hard to attract visitors and convert them into customers or subscribers.
Further Reading
The Perfect One-Page Website – The Key to Simplicity and Speed
VideoandWeb.com