What Newspapers Can Teach Us About SEO: Designing Above the Fold
Do you read newspapers anymore? Seriously, do you? If you haven’t, do you at least look at them? Alright, if you’re still answering no, pause reading this (I expect you to return!) and take a minute to go inspect one.
Notice anything? Anything catching your eye?
I honestly haven’t read a newspaper in…well, a few years, but I do look at them as I pass them on newsstands. Why? It’s for the exact same reason I told you to check one out: their eye-catching ability.
Newsies can teach people in SEO web design a thing or two — especially when it comes to designing above the fold.
Designing Above the Fold in Newspapers
There’s this concept that newsies have called, “above the fold.” This is all the news that you can see when the paper is still folded in half.
Why is this such a big deal? That’s their free advertising! As people walk by a newsstand, they’ll see everything above the fold — and if the people in the newsroom have designed the paper properly, it’ll pull the casual readers in and make them buy a paper.
They employ catchy headlines, great photography and witty openings on all of their work above the fold. You need to use many of the same techniques in your web design.
SEO Web Design Above the Fold
You can apply this same concept to SEO web design. When people stop by your site, they’re going to spend a few second there, no more — unless you can entice them.
Look at your site when you first land there. What do you see without scrolling down?
If there isn’t something compelling on your homepage, starting from the very top, then you’re in trouble. Everything above the fold (in this case, it’s everything that shows up without having to scroll), should serve a purpose.
Designing Your Website with SEO in Mind
Say it with me, “Everything should do something.”
Do you have navigation above the fold? Do you have something to let people interact with you? Is there compelling text? Is it colorful? Is it eye-catching?
You only get one shot at impressing most people, don’t squander your opportunities. Just like how newspapers are drawing people in simply by the headlines, pictures and designs above the fold, your site should be too.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Good points. I think we can all benefit from studying the tried and true methods, and applying them to SEO. Writers can take notes from how headlines are constructed and articles are opened. There is plenty we can do to maximize our effectiveness.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
there are so many things that have already been perfected that we can apply to seo and everything dealing with websites! honestly, in universities they offer complete classes on page layout for magazines and newspapers, but “web design” is a class that covers EVERYTHING. it’s just a matter of doing many small things right to make one big thing successful.