3 Essential Elements That Every Good Header Should Have

Whenever I begin designing a website, I start with the header. The header is the first thing your visitor will see when they come to your website. For this reason, headers are extremely important. Here are some things every good header should include in their design:

• A Memorable Logo
• All (Most) of the Website’s Color Scheme
• A Descriptive Tagline

Before I go more in depth with these elements, I’d like to define a header. The header of your website is the top most graphic above the fold where your website’s name is contained. Headers can be text (usually with h1 tags) or graphics and in most cases are a combination of both. The header is usually the first or second biggest graphic on the website, pending the background style.

Your Logo or Site Name

The most important part of your header is your logo. This is what will set your blog apart, primarily in branding and identity. If you don’t display your name attractively, and convey the kind of voice and style the overall site will have, you lose your branding quality. This is the reason your logo should cost more than your lunch.

All or Most of Your Website’s Color Scheme

In most cases of newer designers (or seasoned designers with this particular style) you should often use all or most of your color pallet colors in your header. Now, this does not mean explicitly in your logo text! In general, your color scheme will have three to five colors when you’re just starting out. This means that without background, your header should comprise of the three most often used colors in your scheme so as to setup the precedent to use them.

A Descriptive Tagline

Your tagline, slogan, or description should (in most cases) be included in your header. This is a small string of keywords or a phrase that lets people know exactly what your website is about. On Diligent Design, the tagline says “Beginner Design Philosophy” This helps visitors know the basic information on the website. Using your tagline to your advantage can mean the difference between high and low bounce rates.

Those are my three essential elements for a good header design. What other elements do you believe that a header should include? What is your process for creating your header?