Different websites have different styles, structures, and levels of quality. However, they all share one common element: headers. These strips at the top facilitate easy navigation.

Despite occupying minimal space, headers are the most interacted-with element on a website. Businesses aiming to make a lasting impression strive to find the sweet spot between simplicity and engagement, creating an experience that’s both user-friendly and captivating. This article presents 24 website header examples and explores:

• What exactly a website header is
• Essential elements of a website header
• Optimization best practices for conversions This way, you can ensure a positive user experience while advancing your marketing objectives.

Defining a Website Header

A website header is a visual strip or menu, often placed at the top of a website. It includes clickable components such as a logo, navigation tags, login buttons, and more. Almost all websites, even basic ones, have a header on their homepage. Many also feature variations on other pages. Here’s a simple, easily recognizable website header:

As previously mentioned, website headers serve two main purposes:

• Navigation. Their primary function is to guide visitors to different sections of the website effectively.
• Marketing. A well-designed header acts as a marketing tool and promotional platform for your business. Want to attract more visitors to your site? Free guide » 25 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Website

Elements of a Website Header

The following section outlines various elements commonly found in website headers. Remember, not all headers include all these elements. The choice depends on your industry, business model, and website layout. Moreover, a header can change across different pages within the same site. For instance, a homepage header might have 5-6 clickable elements, while a resources page header might have fewer.

Logo

Almost every website header prominently features the company logo, which, when clicked, takes the user back to the homepage. It acts as a reliable guide back to familiar territory if users get lost.

Navigational Links

This is another essential element of any website header. It’s recommended to limit the main navigation options to 5-7 elements. However, the specific pages linked will depend on your niche. Some businesses link to pages like “About Us,” “Products/Services,” “Pricing,” “Resources,” and “Contact Us.” Others might prioritize pages like “Careers” or “First-Time Patients.” It all comes down to the industry. Most SaaS and tech website headers follow a structure similar to this:

• Product provides visitors with a detailed overview of various features or product categories.
• Solutions guides visitors to a page or hub showcasing how the company’s platform can be utilized in different situations or package options.
• Resources often houses the blog, case studies, testimonials, knowledge base, and/or whitepapers.
• Pricing directs visitors to a page displaying the platform’s subscription plans and pricing details. It’s worth noting that some SaaS platforms opt not to publicly disclose their pricing, particularly for customized enterprise solutions without a fixed pricing structure.

Search Bar

While more common in the past, search bars are still a relevant website header element. Typically represented by a magnifying glass icon, they are more likely to be found on blog menu headers than homepages. However, some websites still feature them on their homepage headers. Brightcove, a prominent video hosting platform, features a search bar but omits the more prevalent pricing element.

Shopping Cart

A fundamental element of e-commerce websites, the shopping cart, often represented by a cart or bag icon, is typically located in the top right corner of the header.

Social Media Buttons

Though more frequently found in website footers, some website headers include links to social media channels, as shown below:

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Login Field

Websites with login functionality should include the login field in their headers. Registered users can enter their credentials to access their accounts. Many platforms also offer login via Google accounts for added convenience.

Call to Action (CTA)

A consistent element in almost all examples presented is the inclusion of a call to action within the header. As the most frequented area of a website, leveraging this space for business objectives is crucial. The CTA could encourage users to try a free tool, sign up for something, get in touch, start a free trial, and more.

Website Header Examples and Trends

Despite consisting of just a few components, website headers offer a surprising amount of design flexibility. Let’s explore more website examples to spark ideas and inspiration.

Single-Line Header with Left-Aligned Logo

Zoho exemplifies a basic yet effective approach with a single-line header featuring just four clickable navigation elements and a search bar. Notably, they’ve opted for right alignment, emphasizing the logo and allowing it to command more attention.

Single-Line Header with Notification Bar

While the header itself is fairly standard, the banner above it draws attention to something new, important, or exciting. Elementor recently used this approach to announce its new cloud hosting for WordPress.

SE Ranking currently utilizes its notification bar to express support for Ukraine:

These banners invariably include a CTA. Clicking on them directs visitors to a dedicated landing page providing further details about the offer.

Two-Tiered Header

A two-tiered header presents more navigational options without overwhelming visitors with a single, long row of icons.

Two-Tiered Header with Notification Bar

Amplitude incorporates a notification bar above its double-tiered header to promote an upcoming conference. The banner’s length aligns with the header, creating a less cluttered appearance and giving it a distinct section feel.

Header with Utility Bar (Sticky Bar)

Some websites use sticky headers that remain visible as users scroll down. The goal is straightforward: constant access to navigation and the all-important CTA, regardless of the user’s position on the page.

This header remains visible as you scroll to the bottom of the page.

Floating Header

Exemplified on Mixpanel’s homepage, a floating header functions similarly to a sticky bar, with one key difference: as you scroll, the webpage content appears both above and below the header, creating a floating effect.

Header with Mega Menu

For websites needing to display a substantial amount of information in their headers, mega menus are a highly effective solution.

Header with Multi-Site Navigation

Commonly seen on retail and e-commerce websites, multi-navigational headers facilitate easy navigation between affiliated websites.

Left-Aligned Vertical Header

Deviating from traditional horizontal layouts, some websites opt for vertical headers with navigation menu items listed vertically on the left side.

Right-Aligned Vertical Header

The same concept as the left-aligned version, but with the menu items positioned vertically on the right side. This example goes a step further by vertically aligning each menu item’s text.

Hamburger Slide-In

Less prevalent but undeniably engaging, hamburger menus represent sleek web design. The background darkens as the menu slides in, effectively directing attention to the clickable options.

Here’s the same approach, but with the menu sliding in from the opposite direction:

Full Takeover Slide-In

For a bolder approach, some websites, like Vimeo, utilize a menu that expands to cover the entire screen.

Website Header Best Practices

• Prioritize Color Contrast. A minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 between the header background color and the font is crucial for readability. This applies to both the header itself and any surrounding text. Darkening the page background when displaying the header menu can further enhance focus.
• Include a CTA. As mentioned earlier, incorporating a call to action is vital, whether it’s encouraging contact, trying a tool, starting a trial, or another desired action.
• Consider a Sticky Header. With limited time to engage visitors before they leave (approximately 15 seconds), a sticky header ensures easy access to navigation and the CTA at all times, potentially increasing conversions.
• Maintain Intuitiveness. Analyze competitors and websites in your niche to understand common navigation patterns before settling on a design. Website navigation is not a space for reinventing the wheel or being overly unique.
• Optimize for Mobile. Horizontal headers are not viable on mobile devices unless using extremely small font sizes. The most common solution is implementing a hamburger menu for mobile browsing.

Notably, elements like the search bar and CTA button can still be included in mobile-optimized designs. HubSpot demonstrates this effectively:

• Choose Simple Fonts. Legibility is paramount in UX design, particularly for your site’s primary clickable element. Sans Serif fonts are a popular choice for website header text due to their high readability.

It’s fortunate that Lemonade didn’t use its logo font for its header.

Website Headers: A Delicate Art Form

Available in various shapes and sizes, website headers are critical to a website’s success. Regardless of whether you choose a traditional or more experimental design, adhering to established best practices is key. A well-executed header can go unnoticed by visitors who simply experience smooth and intuitive navigation. However, this often plays a crucial role in achieving business objectives, whether it’s guiding visitors to specific pages or converting them into paying customers.