Types of Website Headers and When to Use Them

The website header is the primary navigational tool of a web page. Just like the contents page of a book, the header lays out what your website is about. It is the front-end implementation of your sitemap. In this article, we are going to look at some common types of website headers.

This is the most common type of header you will come across, a basic header with all the elements in a single bar on the top. Single line headers with a search field are very common on retail, blogs and e-commerce websites.

Examples:

A sticky header stays fixed in place as website visitors scroll down the page. These are useful for long scroll websites where it would be cumbersome to navigate back to the top of the page.

Examples:

This type of header is useful for websites that have a huge amount of data that is divided into categories. The links to sub-pages under each category helps the user navigate the website more efficiently. It is commonly used on e-commerce websites that sell a large variety of products. A mega menu always has multiple columns (thank you, Piotr, for the correction). If you have a single column, it is a regular dropdown menu.

Examples:

Vertical headers are an alternate layout to make a website stand out from layouts where the header is on top of the page. These are most commonly used on picture-heavy websites such as creative portfolios, restaurants or hotels. These type of headers are generally sticky and stay in place on the left or right side as the user scrolls.

Examples:

A website may have some or all of its navigation options hidden in a hamburger menu. Interacting with a hamburger icon requires users to take an extra step, that is, click on the hamburger icon and then click on a revealed button. Therefore, it is best to use hamburger menus only for secondary navigational links that you don’t necessarily need to show upfront.

Examples:

A utility bar sits above or below the main header. This is used to showcase secondary links that don’t belong in the same hierarchy as your main header. “Find a store”, “Select Country” or “Share” are some examples of actions that can be placed in a utility bar.

Related posts:

It is commonly known that regular physical activity improves your overall health, from building muscle to decreasing your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and certain neurological…

The backlash to the backlash against Avatar 2 (aka: The Way of Water) was probably inevitable. The first movie was insanely popular at the time of its release — in no small part, I would argue…

Puzzled by Permission Marketing? Lost between a Bad Neighborhood and the Blogosphere? Always wanted to know the difference between a Brand Terrorist and The Sales Lion? Check out our quick glossary…