hero image

A hero image is a web design element consisting of a large, prominent photograph, illustration, video, or graphic placed near the top of a webpage. The hero image typically spans the full width of the screen and serves as the first visual element visitors encounter upon arriving at a site.

Context and Usage

Hero images are commonly used in web design across various industries including e-commerce, media sites, corporate websites, and digital portfolios. Web designers, UX professionals, and content creators implement hero images on landing pages, homepages, and article headers to establish visual identity, communicate brand messaging, and capture user attention immediately upon page load.

Common Challenges

Hero images present several technical and usability challenges including slow page load times due to large file sizes, potential mobile responsiveness issues, and difficulty maintaining visual impact across different screen dimensions. Poorly chosen images can fail to communicate relevant information or may distract from primary content, while over-reliance on stock photography can appear inauthentic to users.

Related Topics: call to action, landing page, user experience, responsive design, visual hierarchy, above the fold, conversion rate optimization