16 Stunning Above the Fold Website Examples

First impressions are everything, that's why 'above the fold'—the part of your webpage visible before scrolling—is so pivotal.

In this article, we’ll explore 16 stunning above the fold website examples that combine creativity and design to engage visitors.

Whether you’re redesigning your site or starting from scratch, these above the fold website examples will inspire you to create a solid first impression.

In web design “above the fold” means the top part of a webpage that can be seen without having to scroll.

This area is crucial because it's the first thing visitors see and can significantly influence their impression of the site and whether they decide to continue exploring.

Effective use of the above-the-fold space often includes key elements like engaging headlines, essential navigation menus, compelling visuals, and calls to action—all designed to capture and hold a visitor's attention right away.

To ace your above the fold section of your website, make sure you include the following must-have elements:

Your headline is the first thing visitors see so it needs to be strong, clear and on brand. A great headline can communicate your value proposition and entice users to click.

Visuals are a language everyone understands and can convey your message faster than text. High quality images, videos or even animations can grab attention and evoke emotions with your audience.

A call to action (CTA) is key to guiding visitors to the next step. Whether it’s to sign up for a newsletter, buy something or explore a product, your CTA should be front and centre and well worded. It should stand out visually and be easy to act on, with no friction between the user’s intent and the action you want them to take.

Google rewards sites that have a great user experience and a well designed above the fold section can contribute to better search rankings. 

Incorporate SEO best practices like using keywords in headlines and alt text for images to make your site user friendly and search engine friendly.

Your above the fold content must look great and work seamlessly on any screen size, from desktops to mobiles. This helps make sure all users, regardless of device, have the same experience.

Continuous testing and optimization is key to refining your approach. A/B testing different headlines, images and CTAs can give you valuable insights into what works best with your audience.

Creating compelling above the fold content is both an art and a science. Finding that balance so your users aren’t overwhelmed is key. Here are a few best practices to help you

Simplicity doesn’t mean boring. The key to a great above the fold design is clarity.
Visitors should know what your site is about and what you want them to do next.

Get rid of clutter and unnecessary elements that will distract from your message.

Instead focus on a clear, concise and compelling value proposition that speaks to your audience.

A well defined visual hierarchy ensures visitors eyes are drawn to the most important elements first.

Use size, color, contrast and spacing to guide users through the information you want them to consume. For example, your headline might be the largest and boldest element, followed by supporting visuals and a prominent CTA.

Subtle micro-animations can add engagement without overwhelming the experience.

These small, purposeful movements – like a CTA button pulsing or an image sliding into place – can grab attention and encourage user’s interactions.

Used sparingly, micro-animations add a layer of interactivity and dynamism to your above the fold content.

White space isn’t empty space – it’s a design tool that enhances readability and focus. By giving your content some room to breathe, you prevent your design from feeling cluttered or overwhelming.

White space creates a clean modern look that naturally guides the user’s eye to the most important elements and makes the overall experience more pleasant and effective.

Different users have different needs and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it.
Consider implementing adaptive messaging that changes based on user data – location, browsing history or referral source.

This personalized approach makes the above the fold experience more relevant and compelling and increases the chances of conversion.

High quality visuals are important but shouldn’t come at the cost of speed. Slow loading content will frustrate users and increase bounce rates. Optimize images and videos to maintain visual impact while keeping load times fast.

Consider lazy loading where off-screen images load only when the user scrolls down to keep your site fast and responsive.

Make sure your above the fold content is accessible to all users including those with disabilities.

This means using alt text for images, keyboard navigability and sufficient color contrast.

Accessible design broadens your audience and improves user experience across the board.

While CTAs are crucial, they should invite rather than demand action.

Create a sense of curiosity or urgency, but avoid being too aggressive or pushy. Interactive elements like sliders, hover effects, or engaging previews can entice users to explore further without feeling pressured.

This approach respects the user’s autonomy and can lead to more meaningful engagement.

We’ve scoured the web for the best above the fold examples across different industries, each featuring their own strengths that you can learn from.

Zalando’s above-the-fold content is a prime example of effective e-commerce design, blending aesthetics with user engagement tactics.

Warby Parker’s above the fold content grabs user attention and encourages engagement through simple design and messaging.

Descript’s above the fold content is designed to hook you in while communicating its value.

Linear’s above-the-fold content is designed to make a strong first impression and communicate the software’s key benefits.

Content on Demand’s above-the-fold content is doing all the right things to grab visitors and make them want to explore further.

Asana’s above the fold content is designed to engage both B2B and B2C audiences by combining visuals, messaging and calls to action.

Charity: Water’s above-the-fold content is designed to engage visitors emotionally while clearly telling its story.

WWF’s above the fold is spot on for their goals.

Apple’s above the fold content is a masterclass in simplicity and precision.

Zoom’s above the fold content is designed to show off its flexibility and ease of use and drive user engagement.

Medium’s above the fold content grabs attention and gets users engaged in the journalism and blogging space.

BuzzFeed is a popular entertainment news site with an above the fold section that stays true to its buzz.

Airbnb’s above the fold content is designed to get users to engage by immediately finding a place to stay and boosting conversions.

Booking.com’s above-the-fold content is designed to grab attention and get users to engage immediately and search for bookings.

Peloton’s above the fold content grabs attention and drives engagement in the health and fitness space.

Fitbit’s above the fold content grabs attention and encourages user engagement by pushing the sales of their leading watches and Fitbit models.

There’s no doubt that above the fold content is key to engaging and converting your visitors.

Here are the key takeaways to remember from the examples we’ve seen:

By implementing these strategies, brands can create compelling above-the-fold content that resonates with their audience and drives success.