Design your way

With the constant need for reinvention of everything on the time, it is about time the horizontal website designs catch on. They are unique, bold and quite impressive. Currently, the internet is dominated by a majority of vertical-scrolling websites.

There is an obvious reason for this – they are simpler to implement and more common to use. They are also considered to be more efficient. Since this is the perception of the majority, it is only the most deviant and daring of the lot that implement horizontal scrolling in websites.

Those that do take up the mantle of the horizontal websites, speak out through their choice. A brand implementing this form of design for their website is declaring their website to be a work of art.

It is declaring itself to be unique and unwilling to fit into societal standards. As a result, a brand using such a website design is often marketing itself on its ‘quirky’ reputation.

Why some websites use it

Since the standard convention is to scroll up and down a website, most people are not used to it being otherwise. The mouse and scroll on the touchpad of the laptop reinforce this idea, thereby refusing to break convention. The websites that do implement it are clearly defying the norms of the conventional websites and declaring their individuality.

Mobile first might not be a good idea here

Horizontal swiping across mobiles and tablets is not unheard of. In fact, it is quite commonly used due to its ease. It is used across devices, and often the reason given for it being so is because it offers a more consistent experience. Horizontal scrolling on desktops, on the other hand, is a lot less common.

The main reason being those stated above. People are unaware of their ability to unlock content on desktop simply by scrolling in a different manner.

Since the mobile or tablet screen and the desktop are considered to be exclusive to each other, the similarity doesn’t apply. We cannot have horizontal swiping across the desktop even though we can have it on the tablets and the phones.

This operates on the concept that people approach these devices with a different mind set, and changing things in this manner could lead to some awkwardness by pushing them out of their comfort zone.

A key disadvantage to implementing a different approach to websites is that users are less likely to remember the unique techniques to go through one websites and would rather prefer unanimity when it comes to online interface.

Saving vertical space in the expensive real estate that is the viewport

Unlike vertical layouts popular on most websites, the horizontal layouts have one key advantage. They don’t bombard the users with a vast amount of information. They carefully provide only small chunks of information so that the users can scroll through them at ease and having the option of clicking further or scrolling along if they desire to know/see more.

When to use it (If you necessarily want to)

Horizontal websites would mainly suit the layouts for the websites focused on displaying multiple images. They are also ideal for displaying small bits of information or icons referring to specific programs.

This is in particular with many of the tablets and mobile phones as they depict this. It also seems to work particularly well on various other websites, allowing it to display vast amount of information in a simple and advantageous manner.

The usability issue

While today multiple users have been exposed to, and even become accustomed to, horizontal swiping, horizontal scrolling still makes many frown. It has been consistent in gaining negative reviews from many users and therefore should be applied with caution. It is usually taken up to make a statement about a brand name or declare individuality. In spite of this, people have not yet fully adapted to it.

Users will ignore horizontal scrolling sections

Some of the main reactions horizontal scrolling has ignited include simply ignoring these sections, which dare take them out of comfortable waters. People tend to avoid noticing strong clues suggesting that a website has taken up horizontal scrolling, often leaving the large arrows and other signs unnoticed and untouched.

This is mainly considered to be because this form of usage does not fit into their existing schema of how things work, and as a result, is not acceptable or noticeable.

Oftentimes, the ‘swipe’ websites where an entire page swipes across to offer new content sets extremely high expectations for the users. In consequence, they are often disappointed by the content that is to follow. As a result, the big unveiling can also be a big let-down for many.

How to do it right

If you do want to implement horizontal scrolling across your website, but don’t want to turn users away, then how would you do it? It’s simple, really. Add additional options of navigation.

Add menu bars which would then allow the users to not simply travel from one to the next section but also allow for some jumping between sections. It allows for added flexibility and will encourage more users to explore and see their areas of interest.

A scroll bar is also a must as it would indicate how much content is still left to view. Sometimes it encourages people to read just a little bit more when they are about to give up.

What you have to take into consideration

While the use of horizontal scrolling is slowly changing with the coming of newer technologies like touch screens, tablets, macs, etc, it still isn’t dominating the market.

It is always easier to have a finger on the up and down arrow keys than on the right and left ones. Newer gestures on the touchpad would therefore be more helpful when trying to implement the horizontal scrolling options.

The speed of the scroll should also be optimized. Too fast can cause a headache and too slow can make it irritating.

While we are currently used to reading left to right while slowly scrolling down the page, all this is now changing. With the introduction of the kindle and various apps on the phone, tablets and touchpad, people are getting used to swiping when reading as well. But it is always necessary to take into consideration what the users may experience when introducing newer concepts into their daily use.

Ending thoughts

While scrolling horizontally has become popular on mobiles and touchscreens, breaking conventions on devices such as the desktop may not make you as popular. Avoid breaking conventions just for the sake of standing out, but do so if you really believe in it. And even then, when doing so, take into consideration the comfort of the users, for they are who you will be depending on and not the other way around.

If you are intent on introducing a newer method of discovering your website, do it in a manner that doesn’t make them very uncomfortable. Instead of presenting an entirely new design, introduce something similar yet different to keep your users comfortable, yet fascinated by your ingeniosity.