Website Footer Design Essentials
TL;DR:
- Your footer deserves the same care as your header and main content
- Group related links together to make navigation easier
- Use clear spacing between sections to avoid a cramped look
- Keep it clean and avoid cramming too much information in
Website footers often get treated as an afterthought, but they shouldn't. Your footer is frequently the last thing visitors see, and it can make or break their final impression of your site.
Why Your Footer Matters
Your footer isn't just somewhere to dump leftover links. It's prime real estate that can help visitors find what they need and reinforce your brand's professionalism. A well-designed footer shows you've thought about every part of the user experience.
When visitors scroll to the bottom of your page, they're usually looking for specific information like contact details, legal pages, or additional resources. If your footer is messy or hard to navigate, you're making their job harder.
Organising Your Footer Content
Group Related Links
Sort your footer links into logical categories. Common groupings include:
- About/Company information
- Customer service and support
- Legal pages (privacy policy, terms of service)
- Social media links
- Contact information
This organisation helps visitors scan quickly and find what they need without hunting through a random list of links.
Create Clear Sections
Use spacing and visual separation to divide your footer into distinct areas. Most website builders let you create columns or use different background colours to separate sections. This makes your footer easier to scan and less overwhelming.
Keep It Clean
Resist the urge to stuff every possible link into your footer. Include what's genuinely useful, but remember that too many options can paralyse visitors rather than help them. If you find yourself with dozens of links, consider whether they all belong there or if some would be better placed elsewhere on your site.
Technical Considerations
Make sure your footer looks good on mobile devices. Footer content often gets squeezed on smaller screens, so test how your layout adapts. Many footers work better with a single-column layout on mobile, even if they use multiple columns on desktop.
Check that your footer links actually work and go where visitors expect them to go. Broken footer links are surprisingly common and create a poor final impression.
FAQs
How do I create columns in my footer?
Most website builders like Squarespace, WordPress, and Wix offer built-in footer customisation options. Look for layout settings that let you choose the number of columns and adjust spacing between them.
What links should I include in my footer?
Include links that visitors commonly look for: contact information, privacy policy, terms of service, about page, and key product or service pages. Social media links work well here too.
Should my footer match my header design?
Your footer should feel consistent with your overall site design but doesn't need to mirror your header exactly. Use similar fonts, colours, and spacing principles to maintain brand consistency.
How do I make my footer mobile-friendly?
Test your footer on different screen sizes and consider using a single-column layout for mobile devices. Make sure links are large enough to tap easily and that text remains readable.
Jargon Buster
Footer: The section at the bottom of a webpage that typically contains supplementary information like contact details, legal links, and additional navigation options.
Spacing: The amount of white space between elements on a webpage, which affects readability and visual appeal.
Responsive design: A design approach that ensures your website looks and works well on different screen sizes and devices.
Site architecture: The way your website's pages and content are organised and linked together.
Wrap-up
Your footer is an opportunity to be helpful and professional, not just a place to dump links. Take time to organise it thoughtfully, keep it clean, and make sure it works well on all devices. A good footer reinforces trust and helps visitors find what they need, making it a valuable part of your overall site experience.
Ready to improve your website's footer design? Join our community of website builders at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership for more practical tips and guidance.