Parallax Scrolling: Is it Good or Bad?

Have you ever visited a website and admired how crisp the header graphic is? You start to scroll and you notice that as you scroll, a handful of elements begin to scroll with you. Colors begin to fold inward and and random elements begin to move.  

The term “Parallax” comes from a method that has been used for early 2D games. The method involves different animations that help create the illusion of depth. By slowing down the animation of the background, the imagery is given a whole new dimension and look. 

Much like a 2D game, parallax scrolling, websites are given a new dimension compared to other traditional websites. 

So who uses them? Companies that claim to have a mission that is so grand that effective storytelling would be the best way to convey their message. Although parallax scrolling is an interesting concept when designing a web page, there are a handful of pros and cons to using parallax scrolling on your website. 

Pro:

  It is a great way to tell a story. Telling a story through parallax allows the user to be able to focus on the details of a company’s mission. It is a great way to keep the user immersed and engaged with the website.

Con:

Parallax scrolling can often times take a hit on page speed. This can push users away, not giving them a chance to check out the website. 

Pro:

Parallax scrolling allows users to really observe some of the fine details of your website. It can often be a useful tool to help increase conversions on your site.  

Con:

Building a site with parallax scrolling can take lots of time to design. It can also be long and difficult when it comes to development. Figuring out what and when a user will view certain elements, and being able to implement everything as scheduled will come at a cost. 

Pro:

  Parallax scrolling can help you showcase your work. It is great for having a website that has information on what you can do for other businesses. Parallax can be a pretty great way to show users first hand about some of the wonders of your work. 

Con:

 Sites with parallax scrolling does not respond well with older browsers or mobile devices. Since over half of site views come from mobile devices, parallax scrolling may not be the juice that is worth squeezing.  

Pro:

 The typical user when browsing a website will hardly ever read an entire body of text. With the immersion of parallax scrolling, it is nice to be able to creatively display the same set of text that will entice users to read.  

Con:

 Parallax scrolling can hurt SEO. It is typically used for a single page website. With just one page, you are limited to only a single h1, one set of meta information, and URL. 

The Verdict

The parallax scroll effect can be a useful tool depending on what your goals are for your site. If SEO isn’t a concern and if your website’s goal is to explain to users why your product or services is the preferred one, then parallax scrolling may be a fair option. Otherwise, it may end up doing more harm than good for your website.