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Best Website Header Examples To Capture Your Customer's Attention

Date
September 8, 2023
Time reading
7 min
Table of contents

The website header is the first thing visitors see when they come to your website. It's like the welcome mat for your home, setting the tone for the rest of the experience. Keep reading to learn how to create a website header that will keep visitors engaged and coming back for more!

1. Website Headers Fundamentals

Here’s a basic overview of website headers, including the different types of header tags and what elements you should include in yours.

By investing in a well-designed header, you're laying the foundation for a user-friendly and engaging website that effectively communicates your brand and guides visitors towards your desired actions. Keep reading to to find out what your website header should look like.

2. What exactly is a website header

Website headers are one of the most important elements of your website. They are the first thing visitors see, and they can be a key factor in whether or not they stay.

Creative Corner Website Header
Source

A highly effective header captures attention, communicates your message, and helps visitors find what they are looking for.

Keep reading to explore in detail the essential elements that you need to include, along with tips on how to use them to create a great first impression.

3. What to include in your website header

A website header includes a logo, navigation links, a search bar, and other optional elements like social media buttons, a shopping cart, or a login field. 

Each element should be carefully designed to be clear, concise, and easy to use so that visitors can quickly and easily find what they need.

3.1 Logo

The logo is the most important visual element in your website, as a good logo presents the brand identity and reflects on the company’s values.

  • Make it large enough to be easily recognizable.
  • Make it contrast with the background so that it stands out.

3.2 Navigation bar

The navigation bar should include links to the most important pages on your website, such as your homepage, About page, contact page, and product pages.

  • Make it clear and concise, use short words and strong phrases.
  • Make it organized in a way that makes sense for your visitors.

3.3 Search bar

Adding a search bar is a great way to help visitors find the information they are looking for quickly and easily. 

  • Make it visible by placing it in a prominent location.
  • Make it easy to use and responsive on all devices, from computers to smartphones.

3.4 Shopping cart

Shopping carts are a must-have for e-commerce websites, allowing shoppers to add items to their cart and checkout without having to leave the website.

  • Make it easy to find and use, with clear labels and buttons...
  • Make it show the total number of items and the total price.

3.5 Social media buttons 

Social media buttons are a great way to connect with your customers and allow them to share your content with their friends and followers. 

  • Make it relevant to your target audience.
  • Make it up-to-date with the latest designs and features.

3.6 Login Field

The login field is only necessary if your website requires registration to access certain content. 

  • Make it secure and easy to use.
  • Make it visible by placing it in a prominent location.

3.7 CTA

CTAs are buttons or links that encourage visitors to take action. They can increase conversions and the number of subscribers. 

  • Make it relevant to the content of your website.
  • Make it persuasive enough to get visitors to take action.

4. Website header examples

When it comes to website headers, there’s no ‘one-fits-all’ solution. Choose yours based on your specific needs and goals.

Do you want a header that’s always there for you, no matter how far you scroll? Or do you want a header that’s always changing and adapting to the situation? Maybe you want one that takes the entire screen or is stripped down to the essentials.

Scroll down to be inspired by some brilliant examples of highly effective website headers!

4.2 Fixed website header example

  • Stays in place at the top of the screen when you scroll down the page
  • Typically includes a logo, navigation links, and a search bar

Tesla

Tesla's fixed header features the company's logo, a search bar, and a few navigation links.

Screenshot of Tesla's Website header
Source

Nike

Nike's fixed header is similar to Tesla's, but it also includes CTA.

Screenshot of Nike's Website Header
Source

The New York Times

The New York Times' fixed header is more complex than Tesla's or Nike's, but it still provides users with all the information they need to navigate the website.

Screenshot of "The New York Times" Website header
Source

4.3 Sticky website header example

  • Only sticks to the top of the screen when you scroll past a certain point
  • Allows you to keep the important information in view as you scroll down

Google 

Google's sticky header is a good example of how to use a sticky header to improve the user experience. The logo is large and prominently displayed, making it easy for users to identify the website.

Screenshot of Google's sticky header
Source

Webflow

Webflow's sticky header is similar to Google's, but it also includes a button that allows users to sign up for a free trial and contact the sales team.

Source

Youtube 

YouTube’s header is a great way to keep users engaged and to encourage them to watch more videos.

Screenshot of Youtube website Header
Source

4.4 Dynamic website header example

  • Changes based on your actions or the content of the page
  • A great way to personalize visitor’s experience

Netflix 

Netflix's header changes depending on your current activity. If you are watching a movie, the header will show the title of the movie and the time remaining. If you are browsing for movies, the header will show recommendations based on your viewing history.

Screenshot of Netflix website header
Source

ESPN

ESPN's dynamic header changes depending on the current sporting event. If you are watching a live game, the header will show the score, time remaining, and other relevant information. If you are browsing for highlights, the header will show a list of the latest stories.

Screenshot of ESPN Website Header
Source

4.5 Minimal website header example

  • Stripped down to the essentials
  • A great way to create a clean and uncluttered look of your website

Vogue

Vogue’s header is a great example of how to create a minimal header that is still functional and effective.

Screenshot ov Vogue's Website Header
Source

Reddit

Reddit's minimal header is even more stripped down than Vogue's. This is a great example of how to create a minimal header that is still user-friendly.

Screenshot of Reddit's website header
Source

Slack

Slack is a great example of how to add a bit of personality to a minimal header. The buttons are colorful and eye-catching, and they make it easy for users to take action.

Screenshot of Slack's Website Header
Source

4.6 Full-screen website header example

  • Takes up the entire screen
  • Typically used on landing pages

Adobe

This is a great way to get users excited about your products and services.

Screenshot of Adobe's Website Header
Source

Disney Plus 

Disney Plus's full-screen header is another great example of how to use a full-screen header to showcase your content.

Screenshot of Disney+ Website Header
Source

Canva

This full-screen header is a great way to introduce users to Canva and to encourage them to try it out.

Screenshot of Canva's Website Header
Source

5. Website header best practices in 2023

Here are some of the latest trends for designing an attention-grabbing and persuasive website header:

Use high-quality images

Images are a great way to grab attention and make your website more visually appealing. They should be high-resolution, professionally shot, and engaging. 

Test your header

Once you've designed your website's header, don't forget to test it to make sure it's effective. Ask users for feedback and observe them as they interact with your header.

Make it responsive

Make sure your website’s header looks good on all devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Keep it updated

Your header should be updated regularly with new content and information. This will help keep your website fresh and engaging.

Bonus tip: Your header should be a persuasive salesman. It should always be trying to get users to take action, whether that's signing up for your newsletter, making a purchase, or learning more about your product or service.

6. Final words

So, there you have it! Those are the basics of the website headers. As you can see, there’s a lot of work to be done, but don’t worry, you don’t have to do it all on your own.

If you're still not sure how to design a website header, just ask us! We're always happy to help. As a Web Design and Webflow Development agency, we've designed headers for a wide range of businesses, from small businesses to large corporations.

Why not take a look at some of Creative Corner's past projects? We're sure you'll find something that inspires you!

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This is Andrey. He can answer all of your questions that you haven't found answers to on this page. Just click the button below to book a meeting with him.

Still have questions? Find answers here.

What are the headers of a website?

The website header is the first thing visitors see when they open your website. As such it has to be designed extremely carefully to be both informative and visually appealing.

What is an example of a header?

A good example of a header is the one that presents to you the most important information of a website and the most important pages that it has. Take a look at Creative Corner's website header for reference.

What makes a good header website?

An example of a good website header is the one that conveys the purpose of the website. It needs to communicate with the visitors and navigate them through the website.

Do all websites need a header?

It's essential for a website to have a well-designed and structured header, however not all websites need them. There are many successful websites that don't have and don't need them.

What should be in your website header?

A good website header usually contains these elements: Logo, Navigation bar, Search bar, Shopping card, Social media buttons Login Field, CTA