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Although everything seems to change in web design in the span of a few years, there is one layout trend that never seems to fade - the popularity of banners and sliders that run across the top of websites.
It's easy to see why so many web designers, marketers, and visitors love banners: pictures are understood more quickly than text is, and they make a memorable and emotional impression.
In other words, it's simply more powerful to see a photo than it is to read words on a page.
But, while the website banners remain popular, they are also commonly misused. To understand why that is - and to stop you from making the same mistakes that your peers and competitors might be - here are three things you should know about website banners:
#1 High Quality Images are a Must
It goes without saying that website banners should be created from very high-resolution images. If they aren't, they can look stretched, pixelated, or just amateurish. Any of these is the absolute wrong first impression to make when someone visits your website for the first time.
Beyond simple resolution, using high-quality photos also means that your images should tell the story you want them to in a way that is easy for a potential customer to understand. That takes a surprisingly nuanced approach, so don't be afraid to experiment with many choices until you get right.
#2 Your Banners Should be Up-to-Date
The banner images on your website won't just be the first things visitors will see, they'll also be the first elements they'll actually notice (consciously or subconsciously). It's important that they be up-to-date, showing off your very best products, people, or ideas. Otherwise, they could get potential customers thinking about things that aren't relevant to what you're trying to offer at the time.
#3 It's Not Usually a Great Idea to Create Your Own Web Banners
Web banners don't just need to look great and be current, they also have to integrate well with the other elements on your webpages (like text, logos, and other graphic ingredients). Because making the right fit is so important, it's usually a bad idea to create your own banners, or to update them yourself. Getting your web design team to change them shouldn't be a big job, but it can make a lot of difference in the perceived quality of your website.
When they are used correctly, web banners are extraordinarily powerful visual marketing elements. When they aren't, they can distract visitors and take away from your company's credibility. Are your web banners adding enough to your online presence? And if not, what are you going to do about it?
If you need a web design team that understands how great layouts and proven Internet marketing techniques go together, it's time to talk to The HVAC Girl. Get in touch with us today at 817-283-3324 to request a free consultation and account review.
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