The website header holds great significance when it comes to web design since it gives the viewers idea of what one has to offer. Over the period, there has been a profound change in what a successful website would look like. Initially, it was extra in all aspects. However, in recent times minimal and sophisticated is what's found attractive.
What is a Website header?
A website header is more than just the brand logo. A website header is situated at the top of the website. It incorporates the essential features of your site's navigation and the browsing experience you have planned for your users.
The header is usually the same across all the pages of the website. This part of the web design includes your brand logo, well-designed call to action strategy, and contact details. However, some designers keep the header on the homepage larger than the rest of the pages. Even though they all have the same to offer, the other pages' headers vary in size. The best practice for the header on each page is that they are consistent and abbreviated to the main page.
The main header elements:
The purpose of the header is to provide the audience with answers to the most basic inquiries, along with putting forward the quality of the business. The main elements are logo or brand name, CTA, headline, navigational tools, and web search.
All these elements play a vital role in setting the tone of your website. It must be made clear that using all of them on all the pages is not necessary; finding the right balance for the content and design is the key.
A good header can help the user navigate and understand the interface of your website in lesser time. Moving further, let's discuss some of the key points that one must ponder over when designing a website header.
Header size:
There is no correct answer to what is the best header size. As long as your it is not demeaning the content on your page and interfering with the services that your brand has to offer, it is good to go.
Visual hierarchy:
It is observed that a viewer mostly navigates to the top left of the site to look for further actions on the site, and if the site does not have anything to offer, it is considered a poorly designed website.
The message:
The message that your header will convey will depend on the type of your website. However, each website must motivate the viewer to do something on the website, get them to interact and know more and build trust within the consumers and enthusiasm.
A Strong CTA:
The designers mostly use call-to-action elements at the start of the website to urge the audience to interact with the website. This feature is made noticeable so that it can be accessed and used for conversions by generating leads.
Use of fonts:
The header includes a lot of important information. Therefore, easy-to-read fonts that can be easily comprehended at the users' end must be used for the design.
Simple design:
Try to catch your user's attention without overpowering and overburdening your header and making it annoying. A well-designed and valuable header can be brief and straightforward.
Hidden Navigation:
Incorporate the hidden navigation on your website so that the audience does not lose focus on the main page. The hidden navigation displayed with the three stripes on one side of the page can be accessed further by the audience.
Mobile friendly:
Make sure that the header you have designed is mobile-friendly as well as desktop friendly. It must be responsive, accessible, and adjustable to mobile screens.
