Everyone in the world is searching and collecting information from websites. While visiting a website, they don't even try to read everything that is included in that website. They just gather the data they require. They check the website quickly and find the actual answer. There is a common method that is used by users while searching for information is the way they move their eyes in the shape of the letter “F”. So this pattern is called the F-pattern.
Here, the F-pattern is identified through several studies. Many researchers found that people read and scan a website from the top of a page and then move to the middle sectio,n and read after then scan the bottom of the left side of the page. In short, this means they focus mainly on the top and left parts of the page and less on the right side or the bottom page. Understanding this method of user behaviour will help a website development company to develop and design your website better. While updating content, you can add the most important information on the most important side of the website. There is the possibility of reading that section. This will increase the likelihood that visitors will stay on your website, read the information, and become involved. In this blog, we will explore more about the F-pattern in more detail and why this F-pattern matters.
Why does everyone read in an F-pattern?
By following this pattern, people can read quickly and in an efficient way which helps them to find the required information quickly while browsing online. Let us discuss the most important reasons why this happened.
- People scan everything instead of reading :There is a common factor between everyone in the world: everyone will try to read only the words that they want. They will go through the page for the information they are looking for. This scanning method starts from the top of the page and falls to the bottom at the left side and forms a shape of “F” pattern.
- Mainly the top of the page will have important information :Mainly the most important things will be added in the top of the page including eye-catching and attracting headlines. This section will be more useful for viewers for collecting information.
How to apply F pattern layout in web design?
Website content can be designed by knowing the F pattern and applying them here is beneficial for the users as it strongly matches with their reading behaviour. Designers can make use of F pattern while building a website in the following way:
- Place crucial information at the top of webpage:The information provided at the top of the site initially draws users in, and they follow the F pattern when scanning horizontally. Users understand the content and decide whether to continue reading the web page based on what it is in this zone. Therefore, it is essential to position the most significant content at the top of the page.
Headlines are the very first thing users notice while visiting. It significantly affects their expectations regarding purpose of the page. So it is important to focus on the headline by giving a clear and relevant one that conveys the purpose of the site. This pattern is mostly for blogs and articles. Add clear and short contents with key words users search. Highlight it in bold formatting. Key messages under the headline in short description, navigation menu and giving call-to-action button is a great way of application in F pattern that engage the users.
- Contents in left align:People usually read from left to right, and so having the content aligned to left is essential fro the people to read it. This is the vertical area of F pattern works in the website. It will be good to add anchor text in the left side as people notice it faster. Apart from text, it can also be CTAs, bullet points etc.
- Subheadings and short paragraphs:The first thing users look is the top of the page and move down after completing this section. So there it is better if subheadings are used to notify the users. Using short paragraphs with a few lines helps users skim the whole content and understand the purpose even without reading in depth.
F-patten is really to be considered for web designing and it act as a major tool in it. The natural scanning behaviour is followed in F pattern and working with it might give great results in enhancing the readability and engaging users. However it should be applied only after doing a deep research on the target audience.
