The power of website hero images: Best practices to creating engaging web designs
When you first visit a website, what’s the first thing you look at?
I bet it’s the first big image you see, right?
That’s what we call a “hero” or a banner image, the most attention-grabbing section on your website.
As the first element visitors see, a well-crafted hero image can define the tone of your entire website and give visitors a clear sense of your brand identity.
It’s really important to create a great hero image for your website. This image helps make a strong first impression on your visitors. It can be the reason why someone decides to stay or leave your website.
Let’s discuss the types of hero images you can use and talk about practical examples to help inspire your next web design project.
What makes a good website hero image?
Before we talk about the types of hero images, let’s see what makes them effective.
A good hero image captures the viewer’s attention, reflects your brand’s personality, and communicates a key message.
It usually sits at the top of your website, right above the fold, and usually features a combination of visuals and text.
High-quality hero images can help your website get more attention, make visitors stay longer, and set the stage for a positive user experience.
Elements of a stunning hero image
Here are some elements that make a stunning hero image:
- Visual appeal: eye-catching imagery or video that reflects your brand’s tone.
- Clarity: clear, concise messaging paired with strong visuals.
- Consistency: aligns with the overall theme and goal of your website.
- Call-to-action (CTA): Encourages visitors to explore more by prompting them with clear actions.
Now, let’s look at the different types of hero images and how you can use them to your advantage.
Increasing conversion rates with product-centric hero images
If you’re selling products on an eCommerce website, you want to show that to your audience with a great hero image design.
You can use a hero image that focuses just on the product. The product is the hero, the main focus, and the image is made to show it in the best way.
And if your brand mainly sells a product or a service, this is the perfect choice! Whether it’s a physical item or a digital service, the hero image will display it in a way that makes visitors want to engage with it.
An online store might have a hero image that shows a close-up of their product.
For example, if you sell phones, you can show your latest smartphone. You can even use a carousel to show different angles and details. This way, the product can speak for itself.
Look at these product hero image examples below.
Can you tell from the get-go what they are selling?
A bold and modern approach with abstract hero images
If your website doesn’t sell a clear product like insurance, legal services, digital art, or financial help, your hero image might be more abstract.
Abstract hero images focus on shapes, colors, and textures instead of clear, recognizable objects. These images can be graphic or artistic and often set a mood rather than send a clear message.
If you want your brand to feel modern and innovative, abstract hero images can be a good choice. They’ll work well for creative agencies, tech companies, and brands that value new ideas.
A tech startup might use a hero image with abstract shapes and bright colors, for instance. It gives an energetic feel that shows the company’s forward-thinking spirit.
Create a hero image with illustrations
At Deer Designer, we love the use of illustrations as our hero image format. After all, we’re an on-demand design service, so we make hundreds of those illustrations every single week.
As you can see, hero images based on illustrations bring an artistic and creative flair to your website. They can be entirely custom-made or inspired by hand-drawn designs that align with your brand’s style.
These hero images are a great fit for companies looking to show off creativity and uniqueness. They work well for agencies, creative portfolios, or brands that emphasize imagination and originality.
A design agency might feature an illustrated hero image showing a whimsical cityscape or a series of playful characters that represent the services offered.
The use of illustration sets the agency apart and gives the website a distinctive and creative vibe.
Text hero images for your business website
If you want something bolder that focuses on your brand message, you can choose a text-based hero image. These hero images highlight the typography and usually have minimal visuals in the background.
The text is the main focus and is often bold and clear to share an important message. Text-driven hero sections work well when your message is strong enough to stand alone or when you want to share something quickly.
They’re perfect for campaigns, promotions, or announcements.
A non-profit organization might use a text-driven hero image that reads “Together, We Can Make a Difference” in bold, impactful font over a simple, muted background.
This approach ensures that the message and call to action is clear.
Great hero images with videos
And you’re actually not limited to images either! There are many hero sections out there that have animations or even a video playing in the background.
Video hero images, often known as hero videos, use short clips that play automatically in the hero section. They can be looped and usually play without sound, so they don’t bother your visitors.
They work best when you want to introduce movement and depth to your site, especially if your brand’s story is better told with visual storytelling.
They’re perfect for dynamic brands such as tech companies, event organizers, or travel agencies.
For a fitness brand, a hero video might showcase athletes training or participating in an event. The energy and movement draw visitors in and visually communicate the brand’s active nature.
Best practices for hero images in your web design
Choosing the right type of hero image depends on the message you want to convey and how you want your visitors to feel when they land on your website.
Here are some questions to ponder:
- What emotions do you want to evoke?
- How do you want to reflect your brand’s personality?
- What story are you trying to tell with the hero image?
Each of these types of hero images can set the tone for a different experience.
It’s essential to match the hero image with the goals of the website, whether you’re aiming for dynamic engagement, a personal connection, or a bold, artistic statement.
Different hero images and headers to make a website
The hero image you choose sets the stage for the rest of your website. It’s the first impression that speaks to your visitors about who you are and what they can expect.
With the right hero image, you can grab attention, convey your message, and encourage visitors to explore your site more deeply.
Are you looking for more resources for your web design needs? We have a couple of guides that might help!
➡️Everything you need to learn about SEO for web design to create a high-ranking website
➡️5 good web design principles and examples for your web design inspo!
➡️Tips to design your website to convert visitors into customers: conversion-focused web design
➡️Whitespace wonders: Embracing negative space in web design
Or you can let us handle your web design needs!
Deer Designer is here to help you select and design the perfect hero image that represents your brand’s identity and speaks directly to your audience.
Just send us your design requests and our professional designers will handle it.