The header section is one of the most important parts of any website. It’s usually the first thing visitors see when they land on your site. An eye-catching and professional-looking header can grab attention, convey your brand, and encourage visitors to explore your site further.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about adding and customizing headers in Weebly, one of the most popular website builders.
Table of Contents
What is a Header?
A header, also sometimes called a banner, refers to the top section of a web page. It typically runs the full width of the page and contains elements like:
- Your site logo and name
- Main navigation menu
- Search bar
- Call to action buttons
- Hero image or slideshow
- Tagline or subtitle
The header gives visitors their first impression of your brand when they land on your site. It also allows for quick navigation to help them find what they need.
Benefits of Using Headers
There are many good reasons to use attention-grabbing headers on your Weebly site:
Convey Your Brand: Include your logo, brand colors, and other elements that communicate your brand identity. This creates consistency across all pages.
Aid Navigation: Well-organized navigation menus in the header make it easy for visitors to explore your site.
Highlight Key Messages: Use brief taglines, calls to action, or rotating slideshows to highlight important messages.
Set the Tone: Creative header visuals like large images establish the look, feel and tone of your site from the start.
Increase Conversions: Compelling headers entice visitors to click deeper into your site and convert into customers or email list subscribers.
How to Add a Header in Weebly
Adding and customizing headers is simple in Weebly. Here are the basic steps:
- Select a Template: When creating a new Weebly site, browse header layouts in the template selection screen. Or edit the header on existing sites.
- Edit Header Content: Click on any text or images in the header to edit or replace them. Personalize with your logo, colors, navigation, etc.
- Adjust Header Size: Use the “Header Type” dropdown to select different sizes like full screen, tall, short or no header.
- Add Visual Interest: Upload images, embed video or use built-in tools like slideshows (Weebly Pro plans only) to make an impact.
- Preview on Mobile: Check how your header looks on mobile devices and make adjustments so it displays properly.
Types of Headers in Weebly
Weebly offers a few different header layouts and styles to choose from:
1. Full Screen Header
- Fills the full browser window height
- Overlays site content underneath
- Creates an immersive first impression
- Works well with big, beautiful header images
2. Tall Header
- Extends partially down the page
- Typically displays a navigation menu below the header area
- Provides ample space for visuals and text
3. Short Header
- Smaller compact header
- Navigation can go inside the short header
- Content displays directly underneath
4. No Header
- Completely removes the header
- Content extends fully to the top
- Lets interior pages focus solely on content
Customizing Header Content
Weebly offers many options for customizing the content within your page headers:
Site Logo
Upload your logo image file and adjust the size and placement as desired.
Header Images
Upload photos, graphics or abstract images to use as header backgrounds.
Navigation Menus
Add site-wide or page-specific navigation menus inside the header.
Text Elements
Include your brand name, taglines, calls to action, announcements, etc.
Slideshows
Create rotating animated slideshows (Weebly Pro plans only).
Video Headers
Embed video files to autoplay inside the header space (requires coding).
Search Bar
Add a site search bar so visitors can easily find information.
Customizing Header Size and Style
Along with content, you can also customize the size, spacing, colors and more in the header using these options:
Height
Make headers taller or shorter using the Header Type dropdown menu.
Colors
Change background and text colors to match branding.
Borders
Add borders to visually contain header content.
Spacing & Layout
Adjust padding and element positioning using the Design tab.
Scroll Effects
Animate elements on scroll using JavaScript (requires coding knowledge).
Responsive Design
Preview on mobile and tweak to optimize for smaller devices.
Tips for Designing Effective Headers
Follow these best practices when creating headers for your Weebly site:
- Showcase your brand identity clearly
- Make key navigational links obvious
- Draw attention with compelling visuals
- Use brief, benefit-focused headlines
- Provide clear calls-to-action
- Check mobile responsiveness
- Test different layouts on key site pages
- Keep important elements visible when scrolling
Spend time perfecting your Weebly page headers. A beautifully designed header can greatly enhance first impressions of your brand and website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a logo or image to my Weebly header?
In the Weebly editor, click on the current header image or text. Then select “Replace Image” or “Replace Logo” and upload your own logo or header image file.
Can I use video in my Weebly header?
Yes, you can embed video into some Weebly header layouts, however it requires adding custom HTML and CSS code. Refer to Weebly’s guide on embedded video headers.
Why does my header look different on mobile devices?
Weebly headers automatically adapt into a mobile-optimized responsive design. Sometimes elements may stack differently or resize to fit the smaller screen. Check the mobile preview and tweak if needed.
What’s the ideal header image size in Weebly?
For crisp quality, Weebly recommends header images be sized at 1920 x 1080 pixels. The image will auto-resize responsively, so start with a large high-res image. JPEG files under 100kb work well.
Can I remove the header on some pages?
Yes! Use the “Header Type” dropdown on any page to select “No Header” which completely removes the header section and starts content higher up.
Conclusion
Well-designed headers play a crucial role in visitor first impressions and encouraging site exploration. Take advantage of Weebly’s flexible header options to create a header that effectively communicates your brand and helps visitors navigate your site. Test out different visual designs and layouts. Craft a header that looks fantastic on both desktop and mobile to boost engagement across devices.
