While web design trends are constantly adapting and changing, there is one aspect of web design that has remained the same. This is the aligning of text on the left hand side. But why is this so popular? And does it bring any advantages or benefits? Well, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design experts. And we work with companies and businesses across the North West region, including Southport and Wigan to deliver high quality, effective and practical web design solutions. As a result, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about placing text on the left.
What are the advantages of left aligned text in web design?
So, why should position text on the left hand side of the screen? And what kind of advantages can you expect from this design decision? Well, there are several, including:
- creating symmetry on the screen
- capturing attention
Text on the left can create symmetry
Balancing the amount and the weight of the text on the left, with the right type of image, picture, or illustration on the right, can create an impression of symmetry, even though the text contrasts with the visual imagery. This means that if you only have a small amount of text, this should be paired with a visual feature of a similar size and depth on the right hand side, to create this stunning symmetrical effect.
Symmetry in web design can be very visually powerful, emphasizing balance. This naturally draws the users eye across the page, from the left to the right. This can be a big advantage in an age where we are so used to scrolling down, skipping to the information that we want or want. Instead, by directing the eyes left and right, your users are less likely to miss any key or important features you might have included.
Text on the left can capture attention
Not only does the symmetry of the design draw the users attention, the text itself becomes an important visual feature. And this means that more people are likely to view, and then read the text. This is vital to increasing sales and sign ups, as it’s much easier to persuade people about your company, when they actually read your content. And this layout can be key to achieving this.
What are the considerations for using left aligned text?
However, there are some drawbacks to this design that you should consider, including:
- This design trend doesn’t support large blocks of text, so if you have a more informative, content heavy website, it might not be a good fit for your brand
- This design does not transfer to responsive design, as instead the two sides will be stacked, text first, then image, and the symmetry will be lost.
For more information or advice about professional web design, get in touch with the professionals today, here at Pumpkin Web Manchester.