Website Footer Design | Examples

Excellent web design requires the incorporation of the best footer design. In many cases, the designer doesn't have enough time to concentrate on creating the footer. However, website footers require special attention. Although it may seem like a small detail, it is crucial to a website's efficiency and results
1

What is a website footer?

To understand the significance of an excellent footer design, you need to understand its function. The website footer is an essential element that allows you to interact with your audience. For example, it can act as a call to action (CTA) that motivates visitors to sign up for a specific service you provide. It also helps visitors locate any articles they may be looking for on your site. Visitors looking for your contact details will quickly locate them in this area of your site.

What does a good footer look like?

An effective footer is simple, well organised and contains vital components such as contact details, navigation links, social media icons and legal information, customised to the target audience and the site's objectives.

Is the footer important for SEO?

In fact, the footer plays a crucial role in SEO, as it can improve site navigation and keyword placement, help distribute PageRank between pages through internal links and increase user engagement, all of which are assessed by search engines when they rank sites.
2

What is the meaning of website footers?

Therefore, the part of a website located at the bottom is called the footer. It often includes copyright information, links to privacy statements, site maps, logos, contact information, social media buttons and e-mail registration forms. In short, a website footer contains information that improves the overall functionality of a website. You may wonder how important footer design is. Certainly, it is important because it is one of the most prominent areas on a website, and several examples of website footers demonstrate this.

The footer has meaning. It's similar to the P.S. in your email - an additional opportunity to turn visitors into customers. Funnily enough, the success of a website depends on its footer. Contrary to common opinion, footers attract more attention than expected. In fact, especially on mobile devices, people tend to scroll a lot. Appropriate footer content, without an awkward ending, indicates to the user that they have reached the end of the page. Although footers are not essential to the proper functioning of a website, they do provide valuable points for improving its functionality. This is particularly true when combined with tools that increase the efficiency of content creation and distribution for site owners.

If in doubt, consider using digital analysis tools such as Lucky Orange, Crazy Egg and ClickTale to analyse the visitor's ‘scroll depth’ on your site.
3

What to include in the site footer?

Three essential elements: copyright, privacy policy and terms of service.

These three content elements are essential for all sites, as they provide legal safeguards:

  • Copywright: Displaying the current year along with the copyright symbol protects sites against content theft;

  • Privacy policy: Details to users how your organisation intends to use, store and safeguard their sensitive data and personal information;

  • Terms of Use: Commonly referred to as Terms of Service or Terms and Conditions, this section describes the regulations and general instructions for using a website or its products.
4

Sitemap

It's a link, usually found in a footer, that directs the user to the HTML version of the sitemap. Although users rarely interact with it, it can help search engines navigate pages and find resources such as the XML sitemap.
footer-webdesign-example
5

Telephone and emails

Like the address, a phone number tells Google that your brand operates as a local business. We suggest converting a phone number into a clickable button for viewing on mobile devices.
footer-webdesign-example
6

Personality and brand

Tell your visitors who you are, what you do and where you are. Get out of the boring business box and show some personality. In the footer design, you can tell users who your brand is and show your personality. Consider including a logo, highlighting any awards, presenting upcoming events and featuring a mini-gallery of team members.
footer-webdesign-example
7

Address and link to map/directions

The component of the site that is usually anticipated in the footer is the map containing the exact location and directions. Incorporating details of the company's location is essential for SEO purposes. This approach allows Google to determine your company's location and display it in local search results. As a result, this increases your presence with nearby customers, simplifying the process of localising your brand in the physical realm.
footer-webdesign-example
8

Navigation

Website footer navigation is also a crucial part of a website, allowing visitors to access important information if they haven't done so successfully while browsing the entire site. In recent years, we've also seen the growing popularity of the ‘fat footer’. This suggests incorporating additional components into the footer beyond the norm. Normally, website footers include the details presented in the mega-menu located in the header.
footer-webdesign-example
9

Social icons

Incorporating social icons in the footer allows users to quickly locate and interact with the company on social media platforms. As many companies choose not to send site visitors to social networks, they place social media icons in the footer rather than the header. This approach allows users to engage with a brand via social media, but also ensures that the creation and development of digital products prioritises user retention on a website.
footer-webdesign-example
10

Social network widgets

On the other hand, some website owners want to emphasise the brand's social presence and motivate users to become part of their online community on social networks. In this case, they opt for social media widgets rather than social icons, as the former are larger and more effective at capturing the user's attention. Social media widgets usually appear as social media posts integrated directly into the footer of the site.
footer-webdesign-example
11

Email registration

Place an email subscription button in the footer of your site to allow users to easily find out how to subscribe to updates on your site or blog. It's the typical location on a site for email registration and users are used to finding it there. Recent studies indicate that 20% of websites feature an email sign-up option in the footer.
footer-webdesign-example
12

Log in (Login)

Some sites may require you to place the ‘Log in’ option in the footer of your site. Not all visitors to your site will be customers or potential customers; some may be your employees, partners or administrators. In this case, the footer is the ideal location for an almost unnoticeable ‘Login’ button. Here's how a well-known news blog, Business2Community, put it into practice.
footer-webdesign-example
13

Website footer design best practices

The best website footer designs indicate what is effective or ineffective in your footer. Admittedly, viewpoints may differ, but the top UX design principles emphasise human-centredness and logical decision-making.

Following specific guidelines is crucial to designing an easy-to-navigate footer:

Make sure the links are working. Make sure that none of the links in the footer are empty or faulty and that they lead to the correct information;

  • Uniform motif. The layout of the footer should be in line with the overall theme of the site;

  • Clarity and accuracy. Make sure the footer items are clear, avoiding any misunderstandings;

  • Descriptive phrases. Use language that clearly indicates to users what they should expect before selecting a link;

  • Organisation. If the footer contains a lot of information, consider organising some of the items into categories to simplify navigation;

  • Ease and beauty. Make sure your designs are simple, easy to read and visually appealing to users;

  • SEO and internal links. Pay attention to SEO best practices and the role that footer links play in reinforcing the site's overall linking strategy.

Include in the footer all the information that users are likely to be looking for, ensuring a smooth and pleasant user experience without any barriers. However, don't forget that it's essential to always take your niche and the needs of your customers into account.
14

Web page footer design examples

By now, you've probably realised the importance of having an excellent website footer design. The next step is to identify the most effective features to include in your website's footer design, ensuring that it is functional and engaging for users. The following examples of website footers may be ideal for your design:

Typographic footer style footer design

A typographic footer style concerns the design and structure of the footer area of a web page or document, with particular emphasis on the selection and organisation of typefaces, fonts and text elements.

Below are several elements that make up a typographic footer style:

Font selection: The fonts used in the footer are chosen to align with the overall aesthetic of the website or document. This may involve using a simple, clear typeface that stands out from the content above or ensures uniformity with the main text style of the page.

Hierarchy and legibility: Footer typography often involves creating a distinct hierarchy. For example, titles can be presented in bold or larger type, while contact details or legal notices can have smaller, lighter fonts. This allows users to quickly find important information.

Alignment: The text in the footer can be aligned in different ways - left, right, centre or justified. This depends on the design goals, but alignment is usually done to keep a footer organised and structured.

Spacing and padding: A footer with a typographic style focuses on spacing - specifically the spacing between lines (interline) and the space between separate items such as hyperlinks, social media icons and copyright details - to promote readability and an organised layout.

Colour and contrast: Footer typography is often placed against the background to ensure that the text remains easily legible. For example, dark text on a light background or the other way round.

Styling: Italics, bold and underlining can highlight specific elements in the footer, such as links to the privacy policy, terms of service or contact details.

Brand integration: Many typographic footers feature aspects of the brand's design, including the logo font or a distinctive colour scheme that represents the brand's identity.

In conclusion, a typographic style footer plays a vital role in web design, which emphasises the selection of appropriate typefaces, maintaining hierarchy, ensuring readability and improving the overall look of the page.
footer-webdesign-example

Examples of small-style skirting footer design

A small-style footer generally denotes a footer that is designed to be more concise and minimal in size. The emphasis is on presenting crucial information in a compact way, without overwhelming the user. This type of footer can be used on websites or documents where a cleaner, more succinct look is preferred.

The essential characteristics of a compact footer consist of:

Minimal content: A compact footer usually contains only the main information, such as copyright details, essential contact information, links to social networks or a small selection of navigation links. It avoids clutter and unnecessary text.

Compact dimensions: The footer is designed to take up little vertical space. It can feature smaller font sizes, less padding and a more condensed layout, which reinforces its compact characteristics.

Simplified design: The components of the footer are organised in a concise and effective way. For example, hyperlinks can be arranged on one line or the text can be centred, with minimal or no spacing between sections.

Subtle design: The design can incorporate fewer or lighter elements, such as tiny icons, limited colours or thin margins. This allows the footer to integrate more smoothly into the overall design, while still being functional.

Typography: The font size in a small-style footer is usually smaller than that of the main content of the page. It should remain legible, but the aim is to make it subtle.

Functionality over appearance: The aim of a compact footer is usually to preserve essential functionality by reducing its visibility on the page. It doesn't focus on strong branding or elaborate design; its aim is to offer quick and direct access to vital links or details without distracting attention from the rest of the page's content.
footer-webdesign-example

Examples of illustrative-style footer design

An illustration-style footer denotes a footer layout that features illustrations, graphics or customised visual components as a main feature, resulting in a more engaging and visually appealing appearance than conventional, text-heavy footers. This design injects character and imagination into the footer, setting it apart from the typical layout and enhancing the overall look of the website or page.

The essential features of a visually illustrative footer are:

  • Use of personalised graphics or symbols;
  • Visual narratives;
  • Improved visual appeal;
  • Whimsical or creative style;
  • Incorporation into the rest of the design;
  • Integration of interactive features;
  • Improved brand identity;
  • Reduced text density.
footer-webdesign-example

Grid-style skirting footer design examples

A grid-style footer is a footer format that organises content in a systematic grid, usually using rows and columns. This design approach facilitates an organised, structured and effective method for presenting different types of information in the footer, ensuring visual balance and straightforward navigation. It is particularly beneficial for websites that have to present several categories of information without overwhelming the user.
footer-webdesign-example

Examples of flat-style footer design

A flat-style footer describes a footer design characterised by a simple, two-dimensional appearance, often without gradients, shadows or three-dimensional effects. This design method emphasises simplicity and utility, employing vibrant colours, legible typography and uncomplicated visual components. The flat style is one element of a wider design movement known as flat design, which emphasises clear, crisp layouts without unnecessary decoration.
footer-webdesign-example

Animated style footer design examples

An animated-style footer is a footer design that includes animations or motion effects to enhance its visual appeal and user engagement. In contrast to fixed footers, an animated footer can include elements that move, change or react dynamically as the user engages with the page or scrolls. These animations can highlight important areas, offer captivating images and improve the overall user experience.
footer-webdesign-example

Card style footer design examples

A card-style footer refers to a footer layout that organises information into separate ‘cards’ or rectangular segments, often with a clear border or shadow, to visually differentiate the various sections. This design approach utilises the idea of ‘cards’, often found in contemporary web design and UI (user interface) structures, to present content in modular, easily digestible segments.
footer-webdesign-example
15

FAQ

  • What is a website footer?
The footer is the section located at the bottom of a page on a website, usually containing supplementary information such as important links, contact details, copyright and other useful resources.

  • How important is the footer in website design?
The footer is a crucial area for improving user navigation and increasing usability. It can provide quick access to relevant information that is not highlighted at the top of the page.

  • What information is usually included in the footer?
Some of the most common elements are:
  • Contact information (telephone, e-mail, address);
  • Links to social networks;
  • Site map;
  • Privacy policies and terms of use;
  • Credits and copyright.

  • Should I include a footer on every page of my site?
Although the footer is standard on many sites, it's important to evaluate it according to your site's needs. Pages with a specific focus may not require the inclusion of all the elements of a traditional footer.

  • How do I create an effective footer?
For an effective footer, keep it simple and organised. Include only the essential information, with easy-to-navigate links. Avoid overloading the area with irrelevant content.

  • Can the footer be a good opportunity for SEO?
Yes, a well-structured footer can contribute to SEO, as long as it includes relevant internal links, strategic keywords and useful information for users. However, avoid overdoing it with keywords so as not to be penalised by search engines.

  • Is it possible to personalise the footer on platforms like WordPress or Wix?
Yes, these platforms offer footer customisation options. You can choose which elements to include, such as social media links, contact areas, or even a sign-up form.

  • Does the footer need to be responsive?
Yes, the footer must be responsive, i.e. adapt correctly to different devices and screen sizes, such as smartphones and tablets. This guarantees a good browsing experience for users on any platform.

  • What is the ideal size for a footer?
There is no fixed size for a footer, but it should be in proportion to the overall design of the site. The important thing is to ensure that it has enough space to contain the necessary information without visually overloading the page.

  • Can I use the footer for promotional purposes?
Yes, the footer can be a useful area for promotions and adverts, as long as it doesn't detract from the usability of the site. Remember that the main focus of the footer should be navigation and relevant information for the user.
16

Summary

In this article, we present the main website footers and techniques that will help you design a great footer for your site. This article also explored various top footer design concepts for websites and how to execute them effectively. Now, we have some final suggestions to consider: Every website footer should contain three vital components: a copyright statement, a privacy policy and terms of service. A good example of a copyright footer that contains all three elements can be found at adventure.com. An effective footer design should include your logo, acting as a visual symbol of your brand.

Optimising the space available is also essential. And certainly bear in mind that simplicity often produces the most effective results in any plinth. We've gone over all the basics of creative footer design and website footer concepts. We hope this helps you create a footer design with impact. Don't hesitate to contact our company with any questions regarding footer design or website design and development.