Table of Contents
Why should you use a website hero image?
Hero images are a great tool for making a strong first impression, quickly conveying your brand’s essence, message or offering. This visual appeal to users can entice them to stay longer and explore your site further.
A large headline or video can also serve for a similar purpose, but hero images are particularly effective for visual impact and in many cases will be used in conjunction with the first two.
What are the benefits of using hero images in web design?
The benefits of using hero images in web design are:
- Visual Appeal: They instantly make your site more engaging and memorable.
- Branding: Solidify your brand identity through colors, imagery, and style in a quicker way compared with a video or text that takes longer to consume.
- Communication: Convey your message without relying solely on text.
- User Engagement: Sparks curiosity and encourage further interaction with your content.
- Improved UX: Establish a clear visual hierarchy, this can be useful in further guiding users on your website.
• Test different hero images to see which one performs best in terms of user engagement as well as conversion rate.
Are there different size recommendations for different devices?
Yes, absolutely! It’s essential to optimize hero images for various screen sizes. Responsive design ensures they look great on desktops, tablets, and phones.
• Use a different crop or focal point for the hero image on mobile devices to ensure the most important elements are centered.
What are some of the different types of hero sections beside images?
Different types of hero sections include:
- Static Images: A single, high-quality photo or illustration.
- Image Sliders/Carousels: Rotating images displaying multiple products or messages.
- Pay close attention to the animation speed of the image swaps, avoiding extreme speeds or sluggishness.
- Video Backgrounds: Dynamic videos add depth and movement. Mind the video size and make sure the page speed and user experience won’t be affected.
- Animated Graphics: Eye-catching animations highlighting key elements.
Can hero images be static images, or can they be animated or interactive?
Hero images can be animated or interactive, depending on design and functionality. While it is uncertain whether these elements will directly impact engagement, they might contribute to a sense of immersion in the user experience.
Animations and interactions should be used thoughtfully, avoiding excessive motions that could distract from the primary focus, which is the brand message.
Ask yourself before deciding to use an image for your website hero section:
- High-Quality Visuals: Is it professional photos or high-quality illustrations?
- Relevance: Are the images that I am planning to use relate directly to my content?
- Simplicity: Does the image add clutter to the page?; Is the focus still on my key message?
- Call to Action: Did I include a clear CTA button to further guide users to my next desired action?
- Accessibility: Did I ensure proper alt text and color contrast is available? (4.5% of the people are color blind! Ensure your website is accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.)
Conclusion
Hero images are an effective way to grab website visitors’ attention, they can make a strong first impression, and visually communicate your message. They offer the benefits of visual appeal, branding, communication, and even can help with user engagement.
Ultimately, remember that hero images should be carefully selected and optimized over time to maximize their impact and leave a lasting impression of your brand in your visitors’ memory.
