In terms of web design, “above the fold” refers to all the information that appears on the screen on a first load, or what is the same: the portion of the page that a user can see when accessing it without having to scroll (hence this concept is also referred to as above the scroll).
The name above the fold comes from the printing press and from when the printed newspaper was the primary source of information.
So above the fold can be thought of as the front page of the newspaper. The part that comes out once the user scrolls are called below the fold.
Why is Attention Above the Fold Important?
When it comes to your website design, one of the most important parts is the top half of the page.
This is because here you must clearly explain your value proposition and at the same time, attract your users to continue scrolling and as an invitation to click on the other inserted pages.
Above the fold sets the stage to excite and engage visitors with the information they will find beyond.
Taking into account the information, accessibility, the content that appears for the first time is also necessary for the page to load the same on any device from which the web page is opened.
Other variables such as size, custom settings based on the browser and the operating system are elements that can influence the actions of the end-user.
As you can see, it is a topic that is directly related to the user experience or user experience UX.
Because it is the part of the web page that generates the most interest in users, it is advisable to show useful and relevant information so that the user stays longer on the site and in this way reduces the exit rate or the bounce rate.
But that doesn’t mean that everything you want to show should be consolidated in this section.
How to Optimize the Top of the Page?
Lets understand as how to optimize the top of the page exactly.
1. Include Stunning Photos and Images
Use eye-catching banners. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Include high-quality images at the top of your page (above the fold) and preferably your images.
Your brand logo must be visible at all times, so this is an essential element of the section.
Everyone uses them and there are hundreds of web pages that use the same repeated images and you surely will not want to see yourself the same as others.
2. Write Original Texts
It is also essential to have an excellent copy. Not only must you captivate your visitors with stunning colors and images, but you must also make them fall in love with your offer.
Use words that the competition does not use, describe your product or service better than others and make use of storytelling.
Make your customers fall in love with you and your brand, not the characteristics of the products.
3. Analyze Your Page
Currently, multiple platforms allow content to be viewed when a page is loaded on any device.
You can use heat maps that allow you to see where users interact with your content.
You must optimize above the fold for your different screens.
So it seeks to make a responsive design for any type of user, since it may be that they prefer to enter from a mobile version so that information differentiated from the desktop version will be displayed.
Not only do you have to ensure that the top of your page looks good, but it is also very important that it loads very quickly. This has to do with the file structure and server speed.
You can use quantitative analytical tools that allow you to know the load and response speed of servers (among other things)
For these optimizations, you can use tools like Google Analytics or Google Page Speed Insights.