Slider Alternatives
A couple of days ago I wrote a blog here called "Put Down the Slider, Step Away From the Carousel". It mentions why you should not use sliders or carousels on your site. They hurt conversions, they hurt SEO, they're annoying, confusing, distracting, and totally ignored by the average reader.
However, I didn't provide any alternatives. So I wrote up a lengthy post on the various alternatives here, but I want to give WA members a quicker list that you might look through. I know you already know about building websites so I don't have to go into deep explanations. ;)
#1. Don't use sliders - Seriously, if you have sliders and big moving images at the top of your site and ask me to review it, I will give you at the most 5/10. Harsh, I know. But I'm a programmer, I don't have a lot of sympathy for "fancy design". I'm sorry, just don't use them.
#2. Create a static call to action - Sometimes visitors come to your site already knowing what the product is. (From a keyword search.) That's great, put that call to action on the homepage and get people straight to what you know they already want.
#3. Sign-up forms - This is especially good for new sites that aren't complete yet. Or if the majority of your marketing is done through newsletters. Get people to sign up straight away and make sure those new visitors come back!
#4. Use a video - You know that video on the wealthyaffiliate.com homepage? It explains the site and tells you exactly what you're getting on sign up. Videos are a great way to get conversions from the homepage.
#5. Minimize the slider - If you really, really, really want a slider in order to be trendy and gain the designer seal of approval. Make it small. Really small. Make sure it's not the focus, because if it is, I guarantee no one will click on it. (OK, maybe about 1% of your visitors.)
#6. Move it down - Move that slider all the way down, straight to the bottom. Sliders are like potted plants. Don't put them on the counter in front of your receptionist. Put them in the corner like the aesthetic pleasers they are!
Simple, concise, to the point. No sliders. Moving images are terrible. Just...don't...promise?
Recent Comments
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The first thing I see in the box that appears at the bottom is the "x" on the top right. It screams, "I'm an ad!" whether it is or not. XD
I wouldn't. I think that's exactly the kind of thing the research talks about too. I mean you could always try it and track the clicks to see for youself. :D
OH, you are making me second guess my home page, but as I mentioned I only have a picture and some verbiage. Hmmm...
The home page picture slides in and the words slide in. I will be changing the tag line, I was just learning how to do the slider. Thank you for being kind. :)
I like it when sites load up like that. I've seen forums that when you click on "Post New Topic" they don't reload the page, the page just kind of morphs into the next one. It's really cool and as long as things aren't moving around when the readers are trying to read, I think it works really well.
umh I thought slider make a website look unique, haha now I know its a distraction, a point to note.Tks for the valuable information.
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This explains why I seldom pick my sushi from the belt; either I miss it or pick up too many (beyond my appetite) for the "fear" of missing it.