Why are fat footers useful?
Fat footers function as a supplementary navigation section located at the bottom of a webpage. In this section, websites include sets of navigation links that do not appear in the main menu. Common links in these sections point to items such as forms, policies, or prices. Fat footers are often found on content-rich websites that have multiple internal pages or categories, as they allow the number of clicks a user needs to reach deeper pages to reduce.
What are some examples of websites that use fat footers effectively?
Many large e-commerce and media outlets present fat footers as part of their layout. These websites use footers to group and organize navigation links for areas such as product categories, customer service, and company information in a single, scannable area.
- Ejemplos: Brands like Amazon y Target arrange footer links into columns for structured navigation.
How does a fat footer affect SEO?
The presence of a fat footer firmly affects SEO by influencing a website’s internal link structure. Such sections often display direct links to varied site pages, resulting in supplemental navigation routes for visitors and automated website crawlers while helping to distribute link equity throughout the site. The order and quantity of footer links may have influence on how search engines index and associate the website’s pages. Where footers feature many links, or links with content descriptions unrelated to their destination, search engines may recognize these patterns and identify it as link spam; the key is not to overcrowd your footer and use relevant links with genuinely helpful keywords.
Are there any downsides to using a fat footer?
There are factors when implementing fat footers, particularly regarding design approach. A footer with extensive content could relate to the perceived complexity and the user’s ability to find what they need. The presence of more content in this section could also correlate with slight variations in page loading times, which is a key factor for user experience.
- Consideración: The SEO value of individual links may be influenced by an excessive number of links present.
How do I design a fat footer that’s easy to read and navigate?
When creating a fat footer, use an organizational method that relies on basic grouping and standard layout format. A properly organized footer may facilitate information retrieval for users and avoid potential confusion related to navigation, representing a functional element rather than a disorganized one.
- Use a multi-column layout with clear headings.
- Use ample espacios en blanco to avoid a crowded look.
- Ensure the footer is fully responsive for mobile devices.
Do mobile websites need fat footers?
Fat footers are present on some mobile websites, typically requiring changes to fit device dimensions. When transferring a footer design from desktop, the display method is often revised to align with the limits of mobile screen size. For these environments, footers are commonly arranged in one column or sections that expand according to interaction. This structure groups links so they can be viewed within the available display area as needed.
Conclusión
A fat footer constitutes a design element that operates as a secondary navigation area, relating to user experience and internal linking for SEO. When implemented with organization and readability considerations, including responsive design for mobile devices, it relates to a website’s usability and performance metrics.
