Understanding and mastering the footer on a website

Le footeror footer, is a crucial part of the design and use of a website.

It provides additional information and complements the information in the header and body of the site.

In this article, our Web Agency will explore the definition of the footer, its function, best practices and how it can be optimised for a better referencing and user experience.

Definition of footer

Le footer refers to the lower part of a website which is usually at the bottom of each page.

This element is often used to display important or secondary information about the site and its content, such as contact details, legal notices, links to essential pages, etc.

A well-designed footer helps to improve navigation on your site and makes it easier for visitors to access important information.

Main footer functions

Footers play several key roles in the structure of a website:

1. Navigation : The footer allows users to navigate easily around the site by providing links to key pages (conditions of use, privacy policy, about us...).
2. Contact information : Companies often place their contact details, such as postal address, telephone number and/or e-mail address, in the footer to make it easier to get in touch.
3. Social networks : It is common practice to include links to the company's social networking profiles so that visitors can follow and share content with their community.
4. Legal information : A footer can also contain legal and regulatory information, such as legal notices, copyright or VAT number.

Best practice for an effective footer

Organisation and hierarchy

To optimise the use and performance of your footer, you should pay particular attention to its organisation and presentation. The overall aesthetic should be harmonious, without overloading the footer or making navigation confusing. Use relevant categories to organise the links and maintain a clear hierarchy to make it easier for users to understand.

Accessibility

Footers must be designed to be accessible, taking into account the needs of people with visual or mobility difficulties. Use font sizes that are easy to read and ensure that they comply with theweb accessibility (WCAG) wherever possible.

Responsive design

Like the rest of your website, your footer needs to adapt to different screen formats and device types. Make sure your footer has a clean, legible layout on mobiles, tablets and desktops.

SEO optimisation of footer

To optimise referencing natural (SEO) of your website, it's essential to optimise your footer too. Here are a few tips on how to do this:

• Key words : Integrate key words in the links and footer text, but sparingly to avoid over-optimisation.
• Internal links : Footer links have an impact on your site's SEO by making it easier for search engines to find and index pages. Make sure you use them wisely and avoid duplicating content.
• Unique content : Avoid copying and pasting the same content into several footers, as this could be considered as duplicate content by search engines. Instead, try to personalise each footer according to its context and the page on which it is located.
• Related content : Don't hesitate to add relevant additional content to the footer, such as a blog or a glossary. This can enrich the semantic scope of your site and improve its visibility on search engines.

Customise the footer to suit the page

Another aspect that is often overlooked is the customisation of the footer according to the page on which it is located.

For example, product pages may require links to technical supports or customer reviewswhile information pages may offer other relevant links.

In short, the footer is a central element in the structure of a website and plays a number of important roles in terms of navigation, accessibility, referencing and user experience.

Following the best practices listed will enable you to create an optimised, effective and attractive footer.