In web design, creating interactive and engaging content is a matter of course. An effective method to achieve this is the use of a carousel. In this post, you will learn what a carousel is, how it works, and what benefits it offers. Additionally, we provide practical tips for the optimal use of carousels in web design.

A carousel is an interactive element on a website that enables the display of multiple contents such as images, videos, or texts in a rotating format. It is a popular feature for presenting information on a webpage and providing users with an engaging and interactive experience.

Functionality

The carousel consists of multiple slides that are displayed one after another. Each slide contains content that can be changed either automatically or manually by the user. The transition between slides can occur by clicking on specific buttons, swiping with a finger, or automatically through a predetermined time interval. This functionality makes the carousel particularly user-friendly and enables easy navigation through different contents.

Benefits of Carousels in Web Design

A carousel offers various benefits for a website:

  1. Space Saving: By using a carousel, a large amount of information can be presented in limited space. This is particularly useful on home pages or in areas where a lot of information needs to be displayed without overloading the page.

  2. Visual Attractiveness: The rotating format of the carousel attracts users' attention and makes the website more appealing overall. Movement and changing contents are visual stimuli that keep users on the page longer and promote their interaction.

  3. Interactivity: By enabling the ability to switch between contents, users can explore the website and focus on the information that interests them. This interactivity promotes engagement and can significantly improve the user experience.

  4. Flexibility: A carousel can be used for various purposes, e.g., for presenting products, displaying references, or showing customer reviews. The versatility makes it an ideal tool for many different website types and goals.

Extended Benefits

In addition to the basic benefits, a carousel offers other useful properties:

  • Responsive Design: Carousels can be designed to be optimally displayed on different devices and screen sizes. This is particularly important to ensure that the user experience is consistent and appealing on both desktops and mobile devices.

  • Content Management: Through integration into content management systems like WordPress, Craft CMS, or Strapi, carousels can be easily managed and updated. This facilitates website maintenance and enables content to be updated quickly and efficiently.

Application Examples for Carousels

Carousels are frequently found on business websites, e-commerce online shops, or landing pages. They can be used in various ways to achieve different goals:

  • Product Presentation: In online shops, carousels are often used to highlight a selection of products. This can help direct users' attention to specific items and increase sales.

  • Portfolio Display: Creative professions such as designers or photographers use carousels to present their work in a clear and attractive manner. This allows potential clients to quickly get an impression of the services offered.

  • Customer Reviews: Companies can use carousels to display customer reviews and testimonials. This creates trust and can help increase the conversion rate.

  • Event Highlights: Event organizers use carousels to present images and information about past or upcoming events. This can spark the interest of potential participants and promote registration.

Tips for Optimal Use of Carousels

To get the best out of your carousel and provide an excellent user experience, you should follow some best practices:

  1. Focus on Content: Ensure that the contents in the carousel are relevant and interesting. Do not overload the carousel with too many slides, as this can overwhelm users.

  2. Simple Navigation: Navigation through the carousel should be intuitive and simple. Use clearly visible buttons and clear indications of how users can switch between slides.

  3. Automatic Transition: The automatic transition of slides should not occur too quickly to give users enough time to read the content. A good rule of thumb is an interval of 3 to 5 seconds per slide.

  4. Mobile Optimization: Ensure that the carousel also works well on mobile devices. Use responsive design that ensures the carousel is optimally displayed on all screen sizes.

  5. Testing and Feedback: Test your carousel regularly and collect feedback from users to ensure it achieves the desired effect and does not cause frustrations.

Accessibility and Optimal Use of Carousels

With the BFSG, which from 25.06.2024 obliges many companies to make their website accessible, new challenges arise for programming design elements like carousels. Carousels must be designed so that they are also accessible to people with visual impairments. This means that carousels can be read by screen readers and can be easily stopped or manually operated. Additionally, carousels should be optimized to provide a positive user experience.

Here are the most important aspects:

  • Aria Attributes: Use aria-live and aria-label to make the contents and changes in the carousel understandable to screen readers. This helps users recognize when a new slide is displayed.

  • Focus Management: Ensure that navigation with the keyboard is possible and that focus is set on active contents. This allows users to easily navigate through the carousel.

  • Visible and Labeled Navigation: Use clearly visible and clearly labeled buttons, such as "Next Slide" and "Previous Slide". Alternative texts for images are also important to make the content understandable.

  • Manual Control: Provide a pause button to stop the automatic rotation of the carousel. Users should also have the option to navigate manually through the slides, e.g., by clicking or via keyboard.

  • Time Control: Ensure that the automatic rotation occurs more slowly and allows enough time to capture the content of each slide. A pause or stop function is particularly important here.

By considering these points, you ensure that carousels are accessible and user-friendly for all users. If you need support with implementation, our digital agency is happy to help!

Conclusion

A carousel is a versatile element that enables effective presentation of content on a website. It offers space saving, visual attractiveness, interactivity, and flexibility. Through integration into various content management systems and the use of responsive web design, a carousel can be optimally utilized to improve the user experience. With the right contents and a well-thought-out design, a carousel can make a significant contribution to the attractiveness and functionality of your website.

Take advantage of carousel web design to make your website more interactive and engaging. With proper application, it can help improve the user experience, increase dwell time, and ultimately boost the conversion rate. If you need support with the integration or optimization of carousels, we are happy to assist you.