Web Page Header Design: A Complete Guide to Best Practices

A well-designed web page header can make all the difference in capturing your audience's attention and setting the tone for the rest of the page. A good header should be concise and to the point, ideally containing the website's name and a clear call-to-action.

A header should be placed at the very top of the page, above the fold, so that it's visible without having to scroll down. This is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes, as it helps search engines understand the content of your page.

A header should be designed to be visually appealing and easy to read, with sufficient contrast between the background and text colors. This will ensure that your header stands out and doesn't get lost in the noise of the rest of the page.

In terms of content, a header should be simple and straightforward, avoiding clutter and unnecessary information.

The website header is an area open for creative design decisions, but it should be memorable, concise, and valuable.

People follow similar scanning patterns on a new site, scanning horizontally from the upper left corner of the screen, where the website header is.

The website header design should represent the company brand and give users all essential information without breaking the pattern of the F-shaped reading pattern.

A well-designed website header should stimulate people to scroll down, read additional information, and click interactive elements.

There are no right or wrong header sizes, but it's best to keep in mind that your design shouldn't overwhelm or bore users.

Designing for a standard screen size, such as 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080, can help ensure your header looks good on most users' screens.

The F-shaped reading pattern is crucial to remember for web and UI/UX designers, as it shows how users scan a website's contents.

The size and layout of a website header are crucial for a good user experience. A small header is an excellent choice for informational resources.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to determining the perfect header size, as it can vary greatly depending on screen size and device resolution. It's wise to avoid fixating on exact pixel figures.

A header that's too large can overwhelm the content, so it's essential to strike a balance between the two. Leaving some space under the fold allows users to glimpse what's next on the page and start to scroll.

When designing a website's header, it's essential to consider its size. A small header is an excellent choice for informational resources.

The height of the header should not interfere with the perception of content, so it's crucial to find a balance. A header that's too large can overwhelm the visitor and make it difficult to focus on the information.

In the case of voluminous headers, it's better to leave some space under the fold so that a user can glimpse what's next on the page and start to scroll. This allows the visitor to get a sense of what's coming without feeling overwhelmed.

Ultimately, the size of the header will depend on the type of website and its content. A landing page may have a larger header to grab the visitor's attention, while an informational resource may have a smaller one to keep things simple.

A fixed sticky header is a design element that's become a standard in web design. It stays at the top of the page even as you scroll down, making it easy to navigate.

E-commerce websites benefit greatly from fixed headers, as the cart is always in front of the user. This helps customers keep track of their purchases and makes it easier to checkout.

For service websites, a fixed header is also a good idea, keeping the phone number or a call-to-action (CTA) constantly on display. This helps customers quickly get in touch or take the desired action.

In general, fixed headers improve the customer experience by keeping users oriented and giving them more control. They're a good idea for both desktop and mobile designs.

The main elements of a website header are crucial in creating a user-friendly and effective navigation system. A header should include the logo, which represents the brand and identity of the website.

A call-to-action (CTA) is also a vital element, as it encourages users to take a specific action. This can be a button, link, or text that prompts users to sign up, make a purchase, or learn more.

A search bar is a must-have for e-commerce and enterprise websites, as it allows users to quickly find what they're looking for. The search bar should be wide enough to include inquiries of various lengths without cutting, cluttering, or overlapping.

Navigation links and menu design are also essential, as they help users understand how to find what they're looking for. A hamburger menu button can be used to hide the menu and keep the header non-overwhelmed, but it's also beneficial to keep the menu visible for instant access to certain links.

Here are the main elements of a website header:

These elements work together to create a clear and concise navigation system that guides users through the website. By including these essential elements, you can create a header that is both functional and visually appealing.

RTL headers are a must-have for websites targeting nations that speak RTL languages. They're created by aligning elements right to left, unlike regular headers which are left to right.

Using RTL headers can benefit businesses providing services in those nations. You can create RTL headers using other types of headers, but keep in mind the language, sub-menu direction, and other aspects that might vary.

RTL headers are essential for website visitors from nations speaking RTL languages. They help make navigation easier and more intuitive for these users.

Typography plays a crucial role in web page header design. A good font choice can make or break the user's first impression of your website.

You want to choose a font that is clear and readable, especially if your target audience is seniors with weak eyesight. This means avoiding handwritten or intricate typefaces, which can be hard to read.

Stick to Serif or Sans Serif fonts for text links or info in the header, as they have high readability in small spaces. A minimum font size of 16 pixels is recommended, along with any bars or elements.

A good color contrast is also essential. Aim for a 4.5:1 ratio between the header font and background color to ensure your font doesn't get lost.

Using a large or extra-large font size can help grab users' attention and make your headline or title more appealing. This is in line with the latest UI/UX design trends.

Both bold sans-serif and elegant serif typefaces can be a great fit, depending on your brand style and overall interface design. Just remember to keep it simple and easy to use, especially for navigation links and other text elements.

Good navigation is crucial, and a well-designed header can make all the difference. Navigation links are the element on a website that users interact with most to reach certain pages.

Your site's navigation element is designed by utilizing menus, which should serve to point your visitors to the top pages of your content. A horizontal menu maximizes page space and is easy to read. Most users are also used to this format.

You should have between 4-6 of these top page links in your header, and it's a good idea to categorize or divide them into levels based on their importance. Almost every designer follows this approach and showcases primary pages links first on the header.

Navigation links are the element on a website that users interact most to reach certain pages. You can't miss them, or you'll put your visitors in an ocean or the desert - confused and unable to proceed in a particular direction.

Good designers categorize or divide navigation links into levels based on their importance. Almost every designer follows this approach and showcases primary pages links first on the header.

Having between 4-6 top page links in your header is a good rule of thumb. Smaller sites can have less, and larger sites can have a bit more, but you don't want to go crazy or the header will look too busy and overwhelm your users.

Your menu should be horizontal since it makes the most visual sense. Most users are also used to that format, and it maximizes your page space and is easy to read.

You can also categorize navigation links into primary and secondary links. Primary pages links are showcased first on the header, and inside them, you can add sub-menu or secondary links. This helps businesses drive their traffic through significant pages first.

A language selector in the header is a great way to showcase multiple versions of your website or cater to users of different languages. It helps them easily explore the site.

Having a language selector can also help you cover more people from diverse locations and perspectives. This is especially useful if you have a global audience.

Using an icon instead of text for the language selector is a good idea. This way, users of different languages can easily recognize it, even if they don't understand the menu text.

Integrating language conversion for your website is also essential for a language selector to be effective.

Your website's hero image is like the signage out front, giving visitors a taste of what you offer and providing visual appeal.

Roughly 80% of website visitors focus most of their attention above the fold, so your hero image should be eye-catching.

A hero image can be a picture, graphic, video, or animation, but its main purpose is to encourage visitors to learn more about your business.

For example, a food delivery service might use a hero image depicting a courier with a mouthwatering container of food.

The visual's main purpose is to convey key information about the business, so choose an image that directly relates to your business.

You can use a background image in your header, but make sure it fits your website's design specifics and color scheme.

A sticky header that uses a background image can be especially effective, as it helps users navigate to different pages.

Using a transparent header can make your hero image stand out, especially if it's vivid and outstanding.

For example, Niarra Travel's header is transparent with a beautiful hero image, making it look stunning.

Remember to keep your website's color scheme and design specifics in mind when choosing a hero image or background image.

A well-designed call-to-action (CTA) is crucial in a web page header. It should be short, grab the user's attention, and inspire them to act.

The CTA should be placed in a strategically significant location to urge users to take action right from the beginning, boosting your conversion rate. Some CTAs can be used for a period to promote special deals, and others have a long-term presence.

A good CTA should be noticeable and clear, communicating an understandable message. It should be brief, instantly accessible, and not lost among other header elements.

Here are some key characteristics of a good CTA:

The placement of the CTA is also important. It should be given ample space to be seen vividly and placed at the right side of the header, allowing users to scan from left to right.

A logo is the most important part of your brand identity, and it's essential to draw attention to it. Placing it in the center or on the right might be tempting, but the most common and effective placement is on the left corner of the website header.

According to a Nielsen Norman Group study, users are 89% more likely to remember a logo placed at the top left rather than at the top right. This is a significant difference, and it's worth considering when designing your website.

A centered logo can also work well, especially if it's a round shape or has a balanced design. However, it's essential to consider the size and shape of your logo, as well as the menu items surrounding it. For example, if your logo is small, it might get lost in the center, and if it's not balanced by text or other design elements, it might not look as good.

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to center your logo:

Ultimately, the placement and design of your logo will depend on your brand identity and the overall design of your website. But by considering these factors, you can create a logo that effectively communicates your brand and resonates with your audience.

Mobile and responsive design is crucial for a great user experience. The header should be correctly displayed on both desktop and mobile versions of the website.

Mobile traffic has significantly increased, reaching 58% in 2022. This fact has led to website designs that look mobile-oriented even on desktop versions.

To ensure a good mobile experience, the header must be responsive and adjust well to a smaller resolution. The available space is significantly smaller, so a drawer or hamburger menu is a must.

Special offers, logos, and sign-in buttons should remain in the top bar as they are crucial elements for client interaction. Rearranging wide and horizontal content to fit a new pattern is also essential.

You can preview what the header looks like on mobile by clicking the different device types at the bottom of the customizer. This is a great way to test the mobile experience.

The Mai Theme 2.0 makes it easy to create a responsive header, and you can use any value for vertical spacing, but view port width (vw) is a great unit because it scales.

Looking at the examples of website header design, it's clear that minimalism is a popular choice. The Intercom website header is a great example of this, with a clean and CTA-centered design that effectively communicates the service's specifics.

The header photo is a clever way to draw the user's attention, and when paired with a list of basic services, it can help users quickly find what they're looking for. This is a great way to make your website more user-friendly.

A creative approach to header design can also be effective, as seen in the example where the menu is placed on the left side of the screen. This can be a good option if you want to create a unique and memorable design.

However, it's worth noting that too many buttons can be confusing for users, and a complicated structure can make the header look overwhelming. For example, if your website has many pages, it's better to have a simple top menu with only the essential items.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when designing your website header:

By following these best practices, you can create a website header that effectively communicates your message and helps users find what they're looking for.