Design Compelling Web Hero Sections with Hostinger Website Builder
Elwyn Davies reveals how to get more from Hostinger's Website Builder, including innovative hero sections.
As a seasoned expert in website design using Hostinger Website Builder, I often emphasize the importance of the hero section on a website.
Think of it as the billboard for your digital presence. You have seconds to capture a visitor's attention and communicate your key message.
The hero section is usually placed prominently at the top of your website and can determine the first impression a visitor has of your brand. Before diving into how to craft eye-catching hero sections, here are some basics: ensure high-resolution images to avoid pixelation, use negative space effectively, and consider the color contrast for text readability. With these pointers in mind, let's explore three types of hero sections.
"People naturally judge a book by it’s cover, and likewise will judge a house by the location and condition of the front door. Therefore it makes sense to consider a website hero section as your brand's digital front door. Keep it up to date, impactful and well-maintained.”
- Elwyn Davies
Classic Hero Section
Creating a classic hero section is fundamental yet impactful. This design features a large, striking image that captures attention, complemented by a compelling headline and a clear call-to-action (CTA) button.
Here are few web design tips on designing a classic hero section:
Background Image: Choose a high-resolution image that ties in with your brand message. The image should enhance the text, not detract from it.
Text Legibility: Ensure the text color contrasts well with the background. Light text on dark backgrounds or dark text on light backgrounds works best.
CTA Button: Place a prominent CTA button that stands out yet fits seamlessly within the design. The button should encourage visitors to take action, like 'Shop Now', 'Learn More', or 'Sign Up'.
Simplicity and Focus: Keep the design simple and focused. The hero section should communicate the essential message in seconds and encourage further interaction.
Responsive Design: Ensure that the hero section looks great on all devices. Text size and image scaling should be adjusted for mobile screens to maintain effectiveness.
Card Overlay Hero Section
The card overlay hero section blends functionality with creative aesthetics. It uses a photo background with a text overlay contained within a card. This design is excellent for making detailed information accessible without overwhelming the viewer.
Key elements include:
Photo Background: Select an engaging background photo that relates to the content. The image should be dynamic but not so busy, making the text hard to read.
Overlay Card: Use a semi-transparent card for text overlay. This ensures that the text is readable no matter what part of the image it lies over.
Text Configuration: Adjust the text for optimal readability—consider size, font, and spacing within the overlay card.
Visual Appeal: The overlay should enhance the visual interest of the hero section without obscuring the photo.
Design Consistency: Maintain a cohesive look that aligns with your website’s overall style. The card should complement the background image and the website’s color scheme.
Polaroid Effect Hero Section
The Polaroid effect hero section offers a unique and nostalgic design element to your website. This style uses a frame reminiscent of a Polaroid photo, combining a sense of nostalgia with modern design principles.
Crucial aspects include:
Custom Background: Design a background that allows the Polaroid effect to stand out. This might involve graphic design skills to create a fitting backdrop that mimics the look of a Polaroid.
Image and Text Placement: Strategically place your image and text to mimic the layout of a Polaroid photo. This usually involves a larger image area at the top with a smaller text area at the bottom.
Nostalgic Feel: Leverage the nostalgic appeal of the Polaroid style to create a warm, inviting atmosphere on your page.
Functional Design: Despite its stylistic approach, ensure the hero section remains functional. All textual content should be easy to read and the images sharp.
Creative Flexibility: This style allows for creative flexibility in the choice of images and text layout, making it suitable for brands that want to highlight their creative edge.
Hero Section Design Takeaways:
High-resolution images are crucial for a sharp, professional look.
Effective use of negative space helps focus attention on your core message.
Contrast between text and background is essential for readability.
Experiment with different layouts (classic, card overlay, Polaroid are just a few examples) to best reflect your brand’s personality.
Even though our dedicated template builder website (squareforge.net) is built with Squarespace in mind, you can use it for free inspiration. As shown in these examples, the majority of these designs can be transferred to Hostinger Website Builder.
Wrap-up
Crafting the perfect hero section on your website is like creating a gateway that invites visitors in. With Hostinger Website Builder, these designs are possible and within any novice's reach, thanks to user-friendly tools and intuitive design elements.
Remember, the goal is to make an impact within seconds and compel your audience to delve deeper into your site whilst keeping everything true to your brand.
Happy designing!