Are Homepage Sliders a Bad Idea?

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Times have changed quickly. When we go online and search for something, no matter what it is, there are a host of different websites offering the same thing. Price will always be a determining factor with consumers, but the second most important item is website design and ease of use. Cumbersome user interface, pages that do not load, or poor organization will frustrate visitors and send them elsewhere.

Oftentimes the discerning point between businesses is the website’s conversion rates and how successful the design and layout is at capturing customer information. One of the bigger trends in website design has been the addition of homepage sliders.

Pros and Cons

Advantages of Home Page Sliders

– Can show multiple images or angles on same page
– Adds dynamism to pages to make them more eye-catching
– Helps consumers visualize services such as photography, web-design, etc.
– Keeps visitors on one page so they do not get lost in a series of links.

Disadvantages of Home Page Sliders

– Can have issues with mobile compatibility
– May increase page loading time
– Automatic sliders may move too fast or slow depending on visitor
– No high correlation between use of sliders and consumers taking desired action

Looking at this list of pros and cons may leave you more confused than before. But don’t worry because it is really simple. If your sliders contribute to an overall more positive experience on your website, then use them! However, if they do not, then obviously keep them far, far away! Here are some examples of good use and bad use of sliders.

Homepage Sliders Examples

Good Design Examples

The Converse Website

The website is clean and crisp. Everything loads quickly and each slider seamlessly transitions to showcase another one of their products.

The Tea Round App

Another great example. In this case, the slider works to demonstrate the different steps of how to use the app all while keeping the visitor on one page.

Slider Critiques

15 Juicy and Cute Mini Sliders

Basically any Top “X” style post that runs down a checklist type gallery. These are frustrating to click all the way through, load slowly and especially annoy people if they cannot choose the speed. Not only this, they show too many options particularly if you are trying to sell a service.

To Slide or Not to Slide

These days, many web experts advocate steering away from home page sliders. Instead, they argue for a more minimalist design featuring large titles and clear graphics. The growing consensus is that unless you are showing off a portfolio or something similar you should stay away from them. Nonetheless, if you feel they are truly necessary, follow these tips:

– Limit to between 3-4 slides; don’t overwhelm your visitors
– Have one main message and keep it focused
– Make sure the user controls the speed
– Each slide should have similar content

And if you want some more great ideas on how to build a great website, then click here.

Project Questions a Web Designer Should Ask You

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Creating a website can be nerve wracking. You know how important your web presence is to attract customers and convert sales but with so many theories out there about what is “the best process” can become confusing and downright intimidating. Choosing the right web designer is a critical first step. Not all are created equally.

A Great Web Designer Creates a Site About You and Your Business

When searching for the right web design for your business, take time to interview several firms to see who is the best fit for your needs. Your site needs to represent you, your business, and your products. A quality web designer knows this and will take the time to find out who you are and what you need before getting started. Project questions should not be only about visual appeal. A great designer finds out more by asking the following:

Who is Your Ideal Customer?

It is nice if you like the way your site looks, find it funny, or appreciate the dramatic images, but to be honest, your opinion is not what this is about. It is about the customer’s immediate first impression. Studies show that you have less than a second to make an impression when a new set of eyes lands on your page. In order to connect with viewers your web designer needs to know your audience. Many businesses create a buyer persona, profile, or customer avatar, to represent their ideal customer. This is your primary target and your site needs to be pointed directly at them.

Can You Describe Your Brand?

It is not enough to name your business, find a logo, and say you have a brand. Brands and brand identity is about so much more. Every business has a story. A rich history of growth, failure, and triumph. Properly branded products connect with consumers on an emotional level and become ingrained in a customer’s way of life. You sell a lifestyle. You are a trusted solution to a scary problem. You can be trusted. Your brand conveys all of this and more. Your website needs to match your brand and your designer needs to understand who you are. Otherwise, you are destined for generic-ville, and no one wants to live there.

What is Your Current SEO Strategy and is it Effective?

A brilliant website design with no SEO is like a painting masterpiece hidden in an attic. It is beautiful but no one can see it. Websites need to be seen to work. Your web designer should understand your SEO strategy and the web design should complement and reinforce your presence. Or, take you in a new direction with a focused and researched approach. The best SEO is fully integrated into your site, with every element working to gain you exposure and make your customers find you when they have a problem you can solve.

Although there are many creative designers available who can occasionally produce stunning visual designs on the internet, few are capable of combining this talent with tested marketing concepts to create a website that engages and converts visitors. Those who can integrate these two skills are worth their weight in gold. The next time you need a web designer, make sure they are asking the right questions. See if they want to know more about you and your business, understand your customers, and help you sell. If not, find someone who does.

Zen Den Web Design operates at the intersection of creativity and business. We help solve complex problems through strategy, creative thinking and smart design. Contact us today to establish your web identity with a website from our award-winning design team.