Whether you’ve been designing websites forever or are newer to the scene, parallax design has probably come up in conversations. Whether you know what it is by definition or not, you’ve seen it in action. It’s been classified as one of the hottest web design trends. Want to learn a little more about parallax design and how to use it properly? Need some inspiration? You’ve come to the right place.
Parallax Design by Definition
Parallax web design was inspired by video games that allowed for various background image movement speeds that created illusions of depth during rounds of play. In most cases, the background of these games moved slower than those layers at the front to create a more “3D” effect.
This is how parallax works for web design. The background remains stagnant, or moves slower than the content on the rest of the page. For online storytelling and impressive web design with fast load speeds, the effect cannot be matched.
Websites that use parallax designs are able to:
- Provide a sense of depth and animation that allows for greater interactivity.
- Provide a more connected design that allows for storytelling and increased branding opportunities.
- Increase page visit times due to increased scrolling.
- Draw attention to specific features like lead forms and calls to action that remain steady, and so much more.
Parallax Areas of Concern
Parallax provides great advantages for web designers and brands looking for ways to stay current while impressing visitors and encouraging action. However, like any trend, there are some areas of concern for parallax websites.
- Because most parallax sites have a single page with all of the information, SEO and search rankings can be negatively impacted. To reduce this effect, creating a multi-page navigation structure along with an active and regularly updated blog section is recommended. Page linking is an important way to increase SEO effectiveness.
- When multiple images and other forms of information are presented on a single page, load times can be negatively impacted. To improve load times, focusing on compression and proper image optimization is critical.
- Not all parallax sites are naturally responsive for mobile devices. This means that creating a separate app or mobile site is important if your main page is based on parallax.
It’s important to note that all of the negatives associated with parallax design can be overcome by paying attention and taking a few extra steps to ensure a positive experience for all visitors and an increase in SEO effectiveness.
Examples of Great Parallax Designs
Ready to makeover your site? Want to start creating parallax sites for your clients? There’s never been a better time than right now. Check out the ten sites below for inspiration:
1. Wifeel
2. VW Sportsvan
3. Datography
4. The Royal British Legion
5. Soundflake
6. Badass Programmers
7. Live to Change the World
8. Costa Coffee
9. Garden
10. Willians de Abreu
From large retailers to small businesses, parallax can work in almost any model for almost any brand. Find your inspiration and give it a go today.
About The Author
Eleanor Hecks is the Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, an online publication dedicated to providing in-depth content from the design and marketing industries. When she's not designing or writing code, you can find her exploring the outdoors with her husband and dog in their RV, burning calories at a local Zumba class, or curled up with a good book with her cats Gem and Cali.
You can find more of Eleanor's work at www.eleanorhecks.com.
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