Non-Traditional Scrolling in Web Design
Websites are consistently evolving to create the best user experience or customer journey. They are closely connected with brand identification and thus, if users have a good experience, they will positively relate it to the business – the same applies to negative experiences.
At Blue Whale Media, our own Wigan website design company has to create and enhance a website to have a creative user experience and interaction. This then offers a memorable experience that is second-to-none – in today’s digital world, it’s expected.
Web users have become accustomed to scrolling down the page to get that absolute last piece of information. But, what if there was another way of showcasing your website?
Why is Scrolling Reborn?
The simple answer is mobile devices. Ever since mobile users have surpassed desktop users, web designers everywhere have adjusted accordingly. With so many users on smaller screens, scrolling is becoming more of a necessity: the smaller the screen, the longer the scroll.
The growing strength of social media sites also feeds the technique: scrolling naturally accommodates more user-generated content.
Best Practices for Scrolling
The type of scrolling used on your website should depend on your content. The basic function of scrolling is to allow users to digest as much or as little of your content as they wish; it’s essential to tailor the experience.
Extremely content-rich sites may want to investigate infinite scrolling. This method works for social media because there is too much content to digest.
Non-Traditional Scrolling
Have you noticed more websites are using various scrolling techniques to create a unique user experience? With new ways to explore content such as non-traditional scrolling, this then acquires the user’s attention and is extremely effective.
Horizontal scrolling and animation scrolling creates a special journey for web users and is becoming more popular for visually displaying content
Horizontal scrolling
Most websites use vertical scrolling, but a left-to-right scroll isn’t entirely out of the question. Sometimes horizontal is a good choice, such as when you’re dealing with a lot of visual content, a website designed for mobile, or a slideshow-like website.
The major downside is that it’s unconventional. Computer users may be put off by design or have a difficult time navigating, so it’s best used for a primarily mobile audience.
Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling is a scrolling technique where background images throughout a web page move slower than foreground images, creating an illusion of depth on a two-dimensional site.
Parallax scrolling has been around for a while, but it’s a web design trend that refuses to go away. Used sparingly, it can provide a nice, subtle element of depth that results in a unique and memorable website.
Infinite Scrolling
Social media sites are famous for using infinite scrolling. Websites consist of a single page where users can scroll down for new content. If your site is a primarily blog or post site, then this scrolling technique could be a perfect choice. Like any other design technique, you shouldn’t do it just because you want to try something new; it should be a strategic part of your design framework.
Non-traditional scrolling can be used to achieve many things in web design. You can present your product in new and engaging ways, or tell interactive stories. You can guide your visitors into your website, through your content, and towards your call to action.
