This week we introduced a new header for Webthrust.com.
You may have seen it already and then again you may not have noticed too much difference in that it is similar to the original header that we've had up for the past few months.
How important is having an individualized graphic header anyway?
I have mixed feelings about headers actually. For one, I do agree that having something that appeals to the eye is important because even if it engages the site visitor momentarily it can create a postive impression (if its a decent header) and that can encourage the visitor to read the rest of the page (above the fold) and perhaps even be the differnence between whether the visitor scrolls down the page or not (stats show that over 70% of new site visitors leave your site before scrolling down the page). Secondly I also think that many site owners completely miss the point and dont understand about headers. I've seen some terrific graphic looking headers that did little more than use up 50 to 60% of the above-the-fold screen space without offering much in return (such as no clickable banners, no optin box and so forth).
Anyway,.. back to our new header for a moment. I just felt that I'd like to use the header space (we were using 160px height before, but increased it to 200px with the new header) in a better way by creating an improved visual effect and to also presenting more of a graphical theme of what Webthrust.com is all about. Given that we're all about creating poweful CMS websites using WordPress that deliver great SEO performance and offer exceptional Web2.0 connectivity, I thought it would be worthwhile to present that to all our site visitors.
What did we change? Well we changed the logo by getting rid of the blasting rocket and replaced it with a rising arrow. We created a light grid background to provide a graph-chart effect and carried over an amplifed rendition of our logo arrow that indicates a rising performance result on a graph chart. That arrow also rises up from the text for our website name and tag line and points towards three projected website graphics from a computer screen.
In conclusion, we're very happy with it, and although we realize it could be improved, here's the thing: 1) we had limited time and limited budget for it. 2) we knew we wanted to keep it simple and wern't out to try and win any awards with it.
Personally I think that a 200px high header is about the limit I'd be willing to go to with a header that didn't take active advantage of the inherent header space. If a header design was say 300px or more high then that would be fine as long as it incorporated some kind of useful features such as clickable banners or zones or having an optin box. You could also use the header to present quotations or testimonials as we recently arranged for a client with her header at TotalPerformanceCoaching.com.au which in fact features a series of 9 rotating header banners. It is also possible to stick with a single header and just insert a javascript rotating quotes/testimonial box.
If you'd like us to create an inexpensive custom header for you we'd be happy to assist you from as little as $49USD.
What do you think about the issue of headers for websites? Please feel welcome to leave a comment and lets get some conversation going on it.
