What Above the fold means
This area sets the first impression, so it should say what you do and offer a clear next step. People do scroll, so not everything needs to be crammed in. Heavy media here can hurt loading speed.
Why it matters for your website
The first screen sets visitors' first impression and decides whether they keep scrolling or hit the back button. If it does not quickly say what you do, who you help and what to do next, you lose people before they ever see your best content. It also shapes loading speed, since this area is what visitors wait on first.
Example
A personal injury firm's homepage shows a clear headline, its service area, a phone number and a 'Free case review' button on the first screen of a phone, with no giant slider pushing the message down.
Tips
- State what you do and where you do it in plain words at the top of the page.
- Check the first screen on a real phone, not only on a desktop monitor.
- Keep the largest image in this area small and optimized so it loads quickly.
Common mistakes
- Filling the top of the page with a rotating slider that hides the main message.
- Cramming every service and badge into the first screen until nothing stands out.
Questions about Above the fold
What is Above the fold?
The part of a page visible before scrolling.
Do people still scroll on websites?
Yes. Most visitors are comfortable scrolling, especially on phones. The goal of the top section is not to fit everything, but to give people a clear reason to keep going.
Should my call-to-action be above the fold?
It is usually smart to show one clear action near the top, like a call or quote button. Repeating it further down the page helps people who need more information before deciding.
