What is the header of a website?

When you visit a website, your first impression is often shaped by what you see at the top of the page. This important area is called the "header". The header is more than just a visual appeal; it serves as a gateway to a website's content and navigation. Let's dive into the world of headers and find out why they are so important for an effective online experience. And how you can best use them for your website.

Definition of the header

The header of a website is the topmost part of the page, often consisting of several elements. These elements are essential on every website and consist, for example, of the website logo, the navigation bar, the search bar, contact information and sometimes also advertising or important messages.

This area is usually located at the top of every web page and serves as a kind of introduction to the rest of the content. In most themes and other layout settings of a content management system such as WordPress, the header is also "sticky" in most cases. This means that the header remains visible even when you scroll down, and is either fully displayed or minimized, with the option to expand it again. This way it remains visible on every page and every view of the website.

Functions of the header

1. navigation and menus:

One of the main functions of the header is intuitive navigation. The navigation bar, which is usually located at the top of the header, contains links to different sections of the website so that visitors can easily scroll through the content. Here you can clearly show the visitor where to go, such as your product range or most popular categories. Your latest blog posts, landing pages or other sales funnels. In other words, the path a visitor needs to take to become a paying customer.

2. Branding and identity:

The website's logo is often prominently displayed in the header. This contributes to the branding and identity of the website and allows visitors to quickly recognize where they are and what content they can expect. The logo is an important emblem of a website and the brand as a whole, so it should appear as prominently as possible in the header. It is often displayed on the far left or far right. And don't forget to include a link to it when people click on the logo to get back to the homepage. This is one of the unwritten rules of website navigation that can easily be overlooked.

3. important information and actions:

headers often contain important information such as contact details or call-to-action buttons. This facilitates direct interaction between the visitor and the website, e.g. filling out a form or initiating a purchase. You can also incorporate expressions of trust here through your review results and other cues that have a positive effect on a potential customer.

4. responsiveness:

With the advent of mobile devices, responsiveness is crucial. An effective header adapts to different screen sizes so that users have an optimal experience on both desktops and smartphones. With most WordPress themes, the header is minimized on mobile devices and can be expanded whenever the visitor wishes. This is because there is no space to display the entire menu on every screen size as on desktop.

Design considerations

When designing a header, a few considerations are key. The balance between visual appeal and functionality is important. Too many elements can make the header cluttered, while a lack of information can detract from the user experience. Therefore, it is important to find a healthy balance and also include the opinions of others in the design process. Often you are too close to this yourself to not look at it with tunnel vision. So bring the topic to the group at your next team meeting, or get your friends and family involved for your freelance website.

The header of a website is much more than just a visual head of the page. It's the gatekeeper that welcomes visitors and shows them what a website has to offer. A thoughtfully designed header is a key element to a positive user experience, where usability and aesthetics go hand in hand. It's the first impression that sticks. That's why the header of a website deserves attention.

What does your website header look like? Share a screenshot with us!