Moving Backgrounds: When, Why, and How to Use Them

Dynamic background: Pros and cons trade-offs and best practices

This article deeply explores the application of dynamic background, analyzes its impact on conversion rate, and explains its applicable and unapplicable scenarios, and ultimately provides best practice suggestions.

Core points:

• Dynamic backgrounds can increase landing page conversion rates by about 80%, but should be used with caution, as it can slow down the website and distract users, especially when the content is complex or serious.
• The most effective use scenario for dynamic backgrounds is: creating an atmosphere, showing your lifestyle or arousing emotional resonance. Never follow the trend blindly or use it just because of its beauty.
• To successfully use dynamic backgrounds, you need to ensure that the website speed does not slow down, maintain clear call to action, ensure text readability, choose a background that can enhance information communication, and pay attention to audio settings.
• Although dynamic backgrounds can improve user experience and interactivity, they still need to be used with caution. If not necessary, static pictures and text may be more effective.

The powerful power of dynamic images

No doubt people love video content. TikTok's app downloads soared, and short videos shared more on Facebook than images. Dynamic content is more eye-catching, interactive, and memorable.

The appeal of videos is not limited to social media. The dynamic elements on the landing page provide users with a way to connect with the brand in real time. Here are some web design data worth paying attention to:

• Multiple studies have shown that videos can increase landing page conversion rates by about 80%.
• Shoppers who have watched videos have nearly twice the conversion rate than those who have not watched videos.
• Two-thirds of people prefer to read beautifully designed content rather than ordinary content.

Videos can benefit your website. But that doesn't mean you should turn your homepage into a small cinema. As with all web design, the key is to find the best balance between fun and effectiveness.

When to use a dynamic background

Dynamic backgrounds can be very effective, but not always applicable. They can slow down the website, may be distracting, and are more creatively bold – these three points are not appropriate in some cases.

For example, if you are providing complex content, videos are more likely to distract than help with understanding. If you are providing serious content—such as financial advice, government information or anything related to health care—the video feels…what is right. Similarly, if you are a practical website—such as a grocery store or tool rental site—then speed may be more important than creating some kind of atmosphere.

On the other hand, if your business is about expressing a certain emotion, a dynamic background may be perfect.

Chromatix uses dynamic backgrounds because we are a creative design agency, and the fun and beauty are extremely attractive to our customers.

The following three reasons illustrate the reasons for using a dynamic background:

• Create an atmosphere
• Show lifestyle
• Create emotional resonance

The following three reasons explain the reason why you do not use a dynamic background:

• Because everyone else is doing this
• Because the conversion rate data tells me it will get good results
• Because it looks beautiful

How to successfully integrate dynamic background on the homepage

Whether you are building a website from scratch, using WordPress, or using a drag-and-drop website builder, here are some tips to help you do it correctly.

1. Don't slow down your website

Turning visitors to slow websites is bad news for your website data: if the image loads too long, 39% of people will leave the website. This is one of the most important SEO ranking factors. The conversion rate of pages with slow loading speeds drops by 4.42% per second of each additional loading time (within the first five seconds).

Inevitably: video and dynamic elements will slow down. Here are three steps you can take to alleviate the problem of slow website speed:

• Optimize your images. (Check out SitePoint's Jump Start Web Performance for some in-depth tips.)
• Compress files and manage your own cache. (This can be a complicated task, but tools like Nitropack can help.)
• Live your video. When playing videos loop, remember that larger videos can slow your website down – as we mentioned earlier, having slow loading sites can lead to a sharp drop in conversion rates. One way to maintain speed is to use a shorter video loop. Try keeping the length at 5-10 seconds and then play continuously seamlessly to leave a longer impression than it actually is. Remember: You just want to create an atmosphere, not play a full movie or ad.

2. Keep a clear call to action

The appeal of dynamic images is that they are eye-catching – it’s a good thing when it comes to creating an atmosphere and improving stay time. But be aware: If your call to action is competing for attention, or is ignored because your dynamic background is too distracted, you will have problems.

Leaving some blank space around the call to action can improve conversion rate. To be exact, it was 232%. When there is too much visual noise, it is difficult to pick out important parts – so avoid putting your call to action on your video.

3. Make sure the text is readable

Have you ever watched a movie with white subtitles, and the snow scene appeared and the subtitles were flooded? OK, this is a pretty niche example, but you get what I mean: when the text is displayed on a video, carefully select the color of the text because the image moves and the text needs to be available on every frame read. Choose contrasting colors so that the information is not lost like white subtitles in the snow.

If your dynamic background is rich in detail and includes all colors and shades, it may not be enough to just choose contrasting colors. In this case, try using light, dark, or colored overlays to reduce contrast and make your text stand out.

4. Choose a background that enhances information communication

Dynamic backgrounds often capture the limelight. That's why we love them! But if they distract from the core information or the target, you will soon be in trouble.

When choosing a video, don't just choose something that looks beautiful. Think carefully about choosing videos that are relevant to your overall message or brand – most importantly, choose videos that are attractive to your target market. Your dynamic background needs to enhance the information on the homepage, rather than disperse the information on the homepage.

5. Pay attention to audio

Nothing is more annoying than clicking on a website and suddenly playing some unannounced music or sound effects. Especially in a quiet place like the office. Therefore, it is not advisable to automatically play audio. If you absolutely have to use the sound, make sure it loads in silent state so that the user can decide whether to turn it on at his own.

The following are some more tips for improving the background video of the website.

Final Thoughts

Dynamic backgrounds can be an excellent way to enhance brand information and attract users to the website. They can improve interactivity, greatly increase conversion rates, and create an irresistible immersive experience. But please use it with caution. They may slow down the website, so be sure to research how to keep it going. If you really don't need a dynamic background, stick to static images and text. Choosing the most effective method for you and your users is always the best choice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dynamic Background

What are the benefits of using dynamic backgrounds in web design?

Dynamic background, also known as animated background, can significantly enhance the visual appeal of a website. They can make the website more interactive, engaging, and memorable, thereby improving user retention and conversion rates. Dynamic backgrounds can also be used to tell stories, convey messages or create atmosphere to make the website more influential and persuasive. However, they should be used with caution to avoid overwhelming users and slowing down the website.

How to create my own dynamic background?

There are several tools and software that can help you create your own dynamic background. These include Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Blender. You can also use CSS and JavaScript to create simple animations and transition effects. However, creating dynamic backgrounds requires a good understanding of design principles and animation techniques, so if you don’t have confidence in your abilities, consider hiring a professional.

Where can I find free dynamic backgrounds?

There are several websites to find free dynamic backgrounds. These include Videozy, Videovo, Pixabay and Pexels. These websites offer high-quality dynamic backgrounds in a variety of categories and styles. However, be sure to check the licensing terms before using any background, as some backgrounds may require attribution or may not be used for commercial purposes.

Will dynamic background slow my website down?

Yes, dynamic backgrounds can slow down your website, especially when they are large or complex. This can lead to poor user experience and low search engine rankings. To avoid this, you should optimize the dynamic background by reducing the file size of the dynamic background, using efficient coding techniques, and implementing delayed loading. You should also regularly test the speed of your website to make sure it stays fast and responsive.

How to use dynamic backgrounds effectively?

In order to use dynamic backgrounds effectively, there are some best practices you should follow. First, make sure the background supports your content and is not distracting. Secondly, keep the animation subtle and smooth so as not to overwhelm the user. Third, use high-quality backgrounds that look great at all screen sizes and resolutions. Finally, consider the impact on website speed and optimize accordingly.

Is dynamic background suitable for all types of websites?

While dynamic backgrounds can enhance the visual appeal of a website, they may not be suitable for all types of websites. For example, a website that contains a lot of text or complex interfaces may be more suitable for using static backgrounds. Similarly, websites targeting older people or people with certain disabilities may wish to avoid using dynamic backgrounds as this can affect accessibility. Therefore, when deciding whether to use a dynamic background, it is important to consider your target audience and the purpose of your website.

Can I use videos as a dynamic background?

Yes, you can use videos as a dynamic background. In fact, video backgrounds can be very engaging and influential, especially if they are well-made and relevant to your content. However, like animated backgrounds, video backgrounds may slow down your site and may not be suitable for all audiences. Therefore, they should be used with caution and optimized for their performance.

What are some popular trends for dynamic backgrounds?

Some of the popular trends in dynamic backgrounds include subtle animations, parallax scrolling, particle backgrounds and gradient animations. These trends focus on creating depth, movement and interaction while keeping the animation subtle and not distracting. However, trends in web design change very quickly, so be sure to stay updated and adapt your design to the latest trends.

How to optimize dynamic background for mobile devices?

Optimizing dynamic backgrounds for mobile devices can be challenging due to limited processing power and data bandwidth. However, there are some strategies you can use. First, you can use media queries to provide a static background for mobile users. Second, you can reduce the complexity and file size of your animation. Third, you can use modern coding techniques such as CSS animation and SVG, which are more efficient and scalable than traditional methods.

Will dynamic background affect SEO?

While dynamic backgrounds can enhance the user experience, they can also affect SEO if implemented improperly. For example, if the background slows the website, it may lead to a lower search engine ranking. Likewise, if the background makes the text difficult to read, it can affect the accessibility and usability of the website, which are important ranking factors. Therefore, it is important to balance the aesthetic advantages of a dynamic background with its potential impact on SEO.

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