What is the first thing that most website visitors see when they arrive at a website? Chances are it’s not the witty content or fantastic imagery but rather something more basic and ubiquitous–the website header. Typically, an inch or more in width and extending the width of the upper section of each page, the website header typically functions as the site directory, listing a website’s primary component pages.
Today more than ever, retailers understand the importance of the website header and are designing them in a manner to best capture the attention of the online user while also providing the necessary online tools, content and imagery necessary to maintain user interest as they navigate the site.
Some of the most common, yet essential, components of today’s website headers include the following:
- Corporate Name and Logo: Though it may seem obvious, the placement of the corporate name and logo within the website header provides visual confirmation to users that they have arrived where they expected, while also promoting brand identity and recognition. Studies have shown that digital users are more likely to recall a brand’s logo when it is positioned on the very left-hand side of the website header.
- Site Navigation Menu: Today’s online users have grown accustomed to accessing the component pages and navigational tools within the website header. The Home, About Us, Our Products, Contact Us, and Login pages, along with their corresponding subpages, are positioned within the header to guide visitors seamlessly through the site to ensure a positive user experience.
- The E-Commerce Shopping Cart: Nothing is more ubiquitous to the website headers of online retailers than the shopping cart icon. Commonly positioned within the upper right-hand corner of the header, the shopping cart icon serves as the visual reminder for users to open up their wallets and begin purchasing the company’s products. It’s often a very effective conversion tool as it reminds shoppers that they have products ready to purchase.
- Search Bar: In today’s online retail space, an internal Search functionality is a required customer service tool. Typically positioned near the Shopping Cart icon, the Search bar conveys to the online user that the company is committed to providing the highest level of customer service in order to ensure a positive user-experience.
- Login Button: Online users have grown accustomed to seeing a company’s Login button adjacent to the Search and Shopping Cart icons. The Login button allows repeat customers to utilize unique login credentials to expedite the purchase process and to access exclusive member benefits.
- Social Media Icons: Until very recently, most brand websites placed their respective social media icons at the bottom section of their homepage. Now retailers see the benefit of placing the social media icons within the website header. Placement within the header tends to improve the overall user-experience while furthering user integration into the corporate brand as visitors like and share company products and services across multiple social media platforms.
- Call-To-Action Buttons: The placement of Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons within the website header space serve as effective sales and marketing tools. CTA buttons like Order Here, Donate Now or Contact Customer Service encourage user interaction with the brand while promoting a seamless user experience.
If you’d like to learn more about how header design can improve your website’s user-experience and build engagement for your brand online, call Proctor Digital at 773.664.5819. We love supporting partner brands in their quest to rise in the rankings and grow their bottom lines.