If you scroll to the end of an email or explore a website's last section, you’ll find a fundamental yet often underestimated component in digital marketing: the footer. This strategic space holds a wealth of information, links, and subtle but impactful CTAs. Often overlooked, it plays a key role in user experience and serves as a valuable resource for building connections, reinforcing your brand, and guiding users toward desired actions.
What is the footer on a website?
The footer, or page footer, is the section located at the bottom of every page or digital space. While less visible, it plays a crucial role in a website's structure. It typically contains elements that enhance the user experience and provide additional information and essential functionalities.
In terms of design, it can include anything from simple contact details to complex networks of links and calls to action (CTAs). It is often divided into columns or sections summarizing navigation, legal information, hyperlinks, and references to additional resources. This allows it to link to other parts of the website (contact, terms, privacy policy, site map, social media) and often includes forms.
Despite its position, the footer plays a significant role in your website’s usability and accessibility. It serves as a consistent reference point for users seeking additional information and as a valuable resource for SEO optimization. However, it’s essential to avoid using it as a space for clickbait.
In summary, it is a strategic component that provides useful information, improves user experience, and contributes to more effective navigation.
What to include in a website footer? Examples
Depending on the type of site, there are different types of website footers. As a result, various types of content can be placed in HTML footers.
To inspire you, here are some examples of footers commonly seen today, or rather, examples of content often included in a website footer, usually combined:
Footers with contact information, such as physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Footers with links to important pages that provide shortcuts to crucial sections of the site, such as terms of service, privacy policy, and site map.
Footers with social media and external links connecting to social platforms and other relevant websites.
Footers with subscription forms or newsletter sign-ups to invite visitors to receive offers, branded content, and updates.
Footers with credits and copyright information, often including the year and copyright details to protect content.
Additionally, there is also talk of CSS footers, which are styled using CSS to enhance their visual appearance.