Parallax scrolling gives your site the illusion of depth by having the content layers on your page, like background and foreground images, move at different speeds. In addition to creating a 3D effect, parallax scrolling creates a more dynamic and visually impactful visitor experience compared to a static page. Find out why it is now becoming extremely popular in web design for all businesses by checking out the 10 great examples of parallax scrolling websites below.
1. Cultural Solutions
Content management system (CMS): Unidentified
Give the illusion of speed like on Bird’s website
Why it works: Cultural Solutions, a creative and cultural nonprofit, utilizes a very simple parallax design to draw attention to the content on their page. Despite the simplicity, this is one of the most apparent uses of parallax: the circles in the background move at different speeds from each other and the written content, giving a playful and creative feel to the website.
While Cultural Solutions uses a custom CMS and theme, you can use the Parallax template for similar, dynamic movement on your WordPress site.
2. Tom Delavan
CMS: Squarespace
Parallax scrolling can create a sense of space, as seen on Tom Delavan’s website
Why it works: Tom Delavan, an interior designer, uses Squarespace to build a subtle parallax scrolling website that emphasizes clean modernity. As visitors go down the page, images scroll at a different speed from their frames, allowing visitors to savor focal points of interest while also conveying elegance and luxury. This is a great example of how businesses can use parallax scrolling to provide a subconscious experience that aligns with a particular brand.
Get the exact same effect with the Greenwich template.
3. Isla Stone
CMS: Shopify
Isla Stone’s site shows that parallax scrolling can add an element of fun
Why it works: Accessories brand Isla Stone combines creativity, playfulness, and elegance via parallax scrolling. As visitors scroll down the homepage, the foreground appears to be moving but banner images (like the collections and model photos) plus the brick background stay still, engaging the viewer by making the site feel interactive and urging them to click on the call-to-action buttons.
Create a website with these effects using the Aspen Parallax theme.
4. Hannibal Buress
CMS: WordPress
Convey energy with visual effects like parallax scrolling
Why it works: Hannibal Buress, a popular American comedian, has parallax scrolling featured in the merchandise section of his homepage—notice how the spotted background stays still, while the product images and copy scroll along with the user. This conveys the energy and dynamism of his humor well. What’s more, Buress employs video clips on the homepage that provide entertainment as well as event details. This fun approach to site design underscores Buress’ personality and encourages ticket sales.
Hannibal Buress uses a custom theme, but you can get a similar dynamic feel with Phoenix.
5. Mana Therapeutics
CMS: Squarespace
Use parallax scrolling to invoke a feeling like Mana Therapeutics
Why it works: Mana Therapeutics, a medical foundation, uses parallax scrolling on its very simple landing page. Unlike other sites that use parallax scrolling throughout a long page, Mana Therapeutic has one simple banner image that scrolls just a little slower than the foreground text content. This gives the illusion of rolling waves, tying the site closer to its brand story and bringing a sense of calmness.
Build a similar simple website with the Sonora theme.
6. Bite
CMS: Shopify
Parallax scrolling is a playful way to make your products stand out
Why it works: Bite, a toothpaste tablet company, uses parallax scrolling effects on its website to make images appear as if they are jumping off the screen. It achieves this by using static background videos that appear to begin moving as a site visitor scrolls down on the homepage. This playful approach to creative web design produces a more engaging website while also maintaining its branding as a fun, but smart brand.
Bite’s exact template is discontinued, but create the same playful effect with the Emerge theme.
7. Kombucha Hunter
CMS: Squarespace
You don’t need to have parallax all over your site, and placing it on just the banner can still be effective
Why it works: Kombucha Hunter, a kombucha brewery, uses parallax scrolling sparingly—preferring instead to concentrate the effect on its banner. While the parallax effect isn’t seen throughout the rest of its website, it shows that less is sometimes more, and it’s still a fun and playful way to introduce its colorful products.
Introduce your brand similarly with the Feed template.
8. Tenddo
CMS: WordPress
Parallax scrolling can make a brand seem more modern and sleek
Why it works: It’s crucial for a web design agency to have a high-quality website, but Tenddo, a web design agency based in San Francisco, went a step further by creating an unusually dynamic site. Not surprisingly, they used parallax scrolling to do so; the effect of isolated objects moving on the screen is both fun and a phenomenal showcase of what the company’s engineers can do.
Tenddo utilizes a custom-made template, but you can use One Click for a similar dynamic website.
9. Koastal
CMS: Squarespace
Use parallax scrolling to strengthen your brand’s voice
Why it works: Koastal skateboard company uses parallax scrolling in its simplest form, where text scrolls at a different pace from the static background image. It’s a subtle use of parallax scrolling, but it directly connects with the brand’s focus: sliding or “skating” from one place to the next.
This exact template has been discontinued, but to get the same skating feel, try Sonny.
10. Every Last Drop
CMS: Unidentified
Use multiple layers and parallax scrolling to bring your brand to life
Why it works: Every Last Drop, an education site about water consumption in the U.K., uses parallax scrolling to effectively tell a story. As site visitors scroll down on the homepage, the site’s illustrations actually move over the background image, making it appear as if it’s an animated video controlled by the visitor. Not only is this engagement fun, but it conveys information in a very memorable and impactful way.
Every Last Drop has both a custom content management system and template, but you can tell your brand’s story easily on Wix.
Benefits of Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling websites are generally regarded as more “fun” and “dynamic” than their counterparts. Parallax boosts engagement not only through memorable elements, but also because the movement can stimulate your viewer’s curiosity—leading to lower bounce rates and higher overall conversions.
Here are the four main benefits of parallax scrolling:
- Sleeker websites: Sites with parallax scrolling are seen as sleeker and more modern due to the smooth transitions. It’s also more unique and creative than having a static webpage.
- Effective and playful storytelling: Parallax scrolling websites can effectively tell a story: like a storybook, users can scroll through the site at their own pace and discover visual elements that pop up when prompted.
- Piques curiosity: Viewers naturally engage more with interesting and interactive websites. Parallax makes it easy for you to create a visually enticing page that engages users and increases the time they spend on your site.
- Drive conversions: Increased engagement often leads to higher conversion rates, but as a bonus, parallax scrolling can also be used to highlight calls to action (CTAs), encouraging viewers to click.
Incorporating parallax scrolling on your site not only makes it more visually appealing, but also keeps your audience engaged and entertained. With effective use, parallax scrolling can increase your site’s conversion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there an easy way to build a parallax scrolling website?
Yes. All-in-one website builders, like Squarespace and Wix, have free parallax templates for you to choose from (e.g., Squarespace Brine templates). On Wix, you also have the option to enable parallax scrolling for the background on your page. Simply click “Change Page Background” on the Editor, hit “Settings,” click on “Scroll Effects,” and look for “Parallax.”
Is designing a website difficult?
With all-in-one site builders, designing a website is as easy as replacing the pre-made content with your own. However, to get all the visual elements right, you first need to determine the goal of your website and research your competitors and target audience.
What’s the best way to build a small business website?
As a site builder with no experience in web development, the easiest way to get your website up and running is through all-in-one site builders like Squarespace and Wix. While these site builders are easy to learn, they also have the downside of less customizability. Alternatively, you can take it up a notch and choose a content management system like WordPress. Learn how to build a website now.
Bottom Line
Parallax scrolling is used in web design to present a more dynamic, modern website. Not only do these effects make your site more visually appealing, but they also engage your viewers and increase conversion rates. It isn’t difficult to apply to your site either. Site builders like Squarespace and Wix make it easy for you to build a sleek website with their parallax scrolling templates, and you can even get the same effect with prebuilt WordPress themes. Try it for your small business site today and see the difference.
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