I’ve learned that there is a term that every website owner should learn – Above the Fold.
I’ve run across a lot of Christian websites that have great information, but because their page layout is wrong, many of their visitors aren’t getting to read it.
“Above the Fold” refers to the part of a web page that is seen without having to scroll down.
Research shows that a majority of visitors to a website will look first to what is above the fold, and most won’t scroll down to see the rest of the page.
Even if you have a big arrow with a message, “There’s more great information below!”, you’re not going to get people to scroll down. It’s just human nature.
So what does that mean to us, Sam?
I’m glad you asked.
What I’ve learned is that my most important message that I want to convey with my web page has to be found above the fold. If I have an important link or a special announcement, it has to be in that first-viewed area. Otherwise, the chances of it being noticed are not that great.
You have to assume that the information below the fold is not going to be read.
So make your most attention-grabbing information the first thing your visitors see. Give them a reason to stay on your page and read more.
Another thing to remember is that a person reads a web page just like they read a newspaper or a page from a book – from left to right, so place your most important message or link in the upper left corner. This insures that it will be seen first. I’ve heard people call that location the “golden corner.”
Take a look at your website. What messages are visible when you first open it up? More importantly, what great messages are found below the fold?
Thanks,
Blessed!
Sam
Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetruthabout/