CRO & Experimentation
10 Best Practices and Tips for a Website's Hero Section
Discover the best practices and tips for designing a high-converting web design hero section that captivates visitors and boosts engagement on your website.
Gaurav Rawat
Oct 7, 2025
A website's hero section is where your brand’s personality, message, and value proposition come to life, all within a few seconds. For your e-commerce site to effectively convert visitors into loyal customers, a well-designed web design hero can make all the difference.
But what exactly makes for an effective hero section?
This article explores the benefits, components, best practices, and common pitfalls in designing a hero section that converts.
Key Takeaways
A strong hero section grabs attention and guides visitors towards a conversion, enhancing user engagement.
Personalization is essential for making your hero section more relevant and engaging to individual visitors.
A/B testing helps optimize hero sections by identifying the most effective design elements for increasing conversions.
Visuals in the hero section must align with your brand’s message, creating trust and supporting your value proposition.
Mobile optimization is crucial, ensuring the hero section looks great and functions smoothly across all devices.
What is the Hero Section on the Website?
The hero section is the first thing visitors see when they land on your homepage or landing page, typically visible above the fold. It’s the area that immediately grabs attention, often featuring large visuals, a headline, a subheading, and a clear call-to-action (CTA).
For eCommerce brands, the hero section serves as a visual introduction to your website and as a key driver for engagement and conversion. Be it your product listing pages (PLPs), product detail pages (PDPs), or the checkout flow, the hero section plays a pivotal role in setting the tone and guiding users towards completing a purchase.
Also Read: Top 10 eCommerce Product Page Examples in 2025
Now that we understand its purpose, let's look into why designing an effective hero section is so important.
5 Benefits of Designing a Hero Section
A solid hero section on a website does more than just catch the eye; it’s the first step in turning your visitors into paying customers. Here are some of the key benefits of investing time and effort in creating an impactful hero:
1. Immediate Engagement
The hero section is the first thing visitors see when landing on your homepage, PLPs, or PDPs. A visually compelling hero grabs immediate attention and invites users to explore further when they're browsing products or interacting with a targeted ad campaign.
2. Clarity of Purpose
A clear, concise hero section communicates what your brand offers. Highlighting personalized product categories or special offers based on user behavior helps visitors understand your value and guides them toward the next step, such as adding to cart or checkout.
3. Increased Conversions
A strategically designed hero section directs users to key actions like making a purchase or subscribing. With urgency messages or targeted bundles, you can guide them through every step, from landing pages to checkout, increasing your conversion rate.
4. Stronger Brand Identity
Your hero section strengthens brand identity by using compelling visuals, colors, and messaging. By integrating personalized hero experiences and AI-driven suggestions, it helps create a memorable impression and fosters trust, driving visitors to return.
5. Mobile Optimization
With the rise of mobile shopping, a responsive hero section is crucial. By optimizing for mobile devices and ensuring AI-powered product recommendations are mobile-friendly, you maintain a seamless experience across PLPs, PDPs, and checkout, improving overall usability.
Also Read: E-Commerce UX Design Strategies and Best Practices
Next, let’s explore the essential components that make up a great hero section.
4 Essential Components of a Hero Section
A hero section consists of several crucial components that work together to capture attention. Here are the key elements that make up an impactful hero section.
1. Headline
The headline clearly communicates your brand’s core message. Personalize it based on browsing behavior and category affinity to immediately engage visitors. A clear, concise headline guides them to the next step.
2. Subheading
The subheading complements the headline by offering more context. Tailor it to reflect real-time offers or product bundles relevant to the visitor’s interests. This keeps the message aligned with ad traffic and source context.
3. Call-to-Action (CTA)
The CTA is your primary conversion tool within the hero section. It encourages visitors to take the next step, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or starting a free trial.
4. Hero Visual
The CTA drives immediate action, like shopping now or adding to the cart. Use funnel personalization to align it with user behavior, such as upsells or cart recovery. A clear CTA guides visitors through the journey.
Increase average order value (AOV) by adding smart bundles to your hero section. Nudge uses real-time shopper data to suggest complementary products, ensuring your visitors are more likely to add additional items to their cart. These personalized bundles and recommendations in the hero section can significantly increase your bottom line.
Now that we know the essential elements, let's look at the 10 best practices that will help you craft a hero section that stands out.
10 Best Practices for Crafting a Great Hero Section
To create a hero section that truly converts, following best practices is essential. Here are 10 tried-and-tested tips for crafting a hero section that drives results.
1. Keep It Simple and Focused
A hero section must be clear and concise, delivering your value proposition immediately without overwhelming visitors. Simplicity helps visitors focus on the next step in their shopping journey, like exploring PLPs, PDPs, or adding to the cart.
How to do it:
Limit text to a compelling headline and subheading.
Keep the design clean, with minimal distractions.
Use only essential visuals that align with your brand identity.
Tip: Focus on one key message that resonates with visitors based on their past browsing behavior and category affinity.
2. Ensure Mobile Responsiveness
With more than half of all website traffic coming from mobile devices, your hero section must look great on any screen. A non-responsive hero section will lead to poor user experience and higher bounce rates.
How to do it:
Use responsive design to ensure elements scale for all devices.
Optimize images to load quickly without sacrificing quality.
Test hero sections on multiple devices for consistency.
Tip: Regularly test your hero section on both mobile and desktop to ensure a seamless experience.
3. Use High-Quality, Relevant Visuals
The hero visual should be a high-quality representation of your brand, showing products in use or highlighting benefits. Use visuals that are aligned with personalized experiences based on AI product recommendations or shopping history.
How to do it:
Choose visuals that reflect your product’s use or benefits.
Use clear, high-resolution images that complement your message.
Avoid stock photos that don't align with your brand identity.
Tip: Authentic, relevant visuals help visitors connect with your brand and feel confident in their purchase decision.
4. Implement Clear and Actionable CTAs
Your CTA is the driving force in the hero section, guiding visitors to take action. Use personalized CTAs that align with past shopper behavior, such as directing them to PDPs, bundled offers, or the checkout.
How to do it:
Use direct, action-driven language like “Shop Now” or “Start Your Trial.”
Make the CTA stand out with contrasting colors and clear positioning.
Place the CTA above the fold for easy visibility.
Tip: A well-positioned CTA that speaks to your visitor's intent based on ad traffic and behavioral insights leads to higher conversion rates.
5. Align the Hero Section with Your Ad Context
Visitors who arrive from ads expect a seamless transition. The message in your hero section should match the ad they clicked to ensure consistency and build trust.
How to do it:
Match the headline with the ad’s value proposition.
Use similar visuals and colors from the ad.
Direct visitors to the exact product or offer featured in the ad.
Tip: Consistency between ad and landing page increases trust and boosts conversions.
If you want to create a hero section that adapts to each visitor’s needs, Nudge’s Commerce Surfaces personalizes landing pages, PDPs, and shopping bags based on real-time shopper behavior. By embedding personalized product grids and shoppable videos, Nudge ensures your hero section grabs attention and drives conversions.
6. Incorporate Trust Signals
Trust signals in your hero section, such as customer reviews or security badges, help reduce hesitation and boost confidence in your brand. This is especially important when guiding visitors to add products to their shopping cart.
How to do it:
Add customer ratings and reviews prominently in the hero section.
Display payment security icons and privacy badges near your CTA.
Include third-party certifications or endorsements.
Tip: Trust signals reassure visitors that your site is secure and reliable, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
Also Read: Improving Landing Page Performance: Top Strategies Explained
7. Test and Experiment
A/B testing is essential to understanding what resonates best with your visitors. Regularly experiment with elements like headlines, visuals, and CTAs to optimize the hero section for higher conversion rates.
How to do it:
Test different versions of headlines, CTAs, and visuals.
Use heatmaps to analyze where visitors are clicking.
Test changes to product placement and bundles for better engagement.
Tip: Continuously test to refine your hero section’s effectiveness, adapting based on real-time data.
8. Offer a Personalized Experience
Personalization is key to creating a connection with your visitors. Tailor the hero section’s content, visuals, and product recommendations based on user behavior to increase engagement and conversions.
How to do it:
Personalize headlines and offers based on visitor history.
Show personalized product recommendations or bundles that align with past purchases.
Adjust visuals and CTAs based on user type (new vs. returning).
Tip: Personalization creates a more relevant, engaging experience, driving customers toward action and boosting conversion rates.
9. Use a Strong Visual Hierarchy
A clear visual hierarchy in your hero section guides visitors' attention to what matters most: the headline, CTA, and product image. This structure enhances usability and drives conversions across PLPs, PDPs, and checkout.
How to do it:
Make your headline the focal point with larger, bold text.
Ensure your CTA stands out with contrasting colors.
Leave ample whitespace around key elements to make them easy to digest.
Tip: A strong visual hierarchy ensures visitors quickly understand the message and can easily navigate to the next step in the funnel.
10. Incorporate Urgency and Scarcity
Urgency and scarcity can motivate visitors to take immediate action through limited-time offers or low-stock alerts. This strategy is particularly effective in driving conversions in your hero section.
How to do it:
Display countdown timers for limited-time deals.
Use phrases like “Only X left in stock” to create urgency.
Highlight seasonal promotions or exclusive deals prominently.
Tip: Use urgency sparingly to avoid feeling overly sales-driven, but strategically placed urgency can significantly increase conversions.
Take your hero section to the next level with contextual nudges from Nudge. By triggering real-time messages based on scroll depth, exit intent, or time-on-page, you can engage visitors at the right moment with tailored offers, urgency messages, or product recommendations.
As you start implementing these best practices, you may be wondering how to create a truly effective hero section tailored to your business. Let’s walk through the steps to do that.
5 Steps to Create an Effective Hero Section
Building a high-converting hero section requires careful planning and execution. Follow these steps to design a hero section that engages and converts visitors.
1. Define Your Value Proposition
Clearly state what your product solves for visitors. Tailor the message based on ad context and past shopper behavior to resonate with each visitor.
2. Craft a Compelling Headline
Your headline should grab attention and address visitors' needs. Keep it concise and benefit-driven, using personalized language based on browsing history.
3. Choose the Right Visual
Select a hero visual that aligns with your brand and speaks to your audience. Use diverse visuals based on AI product recommendations to increase engagement.
4. Place a Strong CTA
Your CTA should be clear and action-driven. Position it prominently, and personalize based on funnel behavior or product affinity to guide users through the cart or checkout.
5. Optimize for All Devices
A mobile-responsive hero section is a must, given the increase in mobile shopping. Optimize the visuals, CTA, and text to ensure it looks great on all devices, from PLPs to checkout.
Also Read: The Ultimate Landing Page Checklist for 2025
Once your hero section is designed, it’s important to check how others are executing it, so here are 5 examples of standout hero sections that can inspire your own.
3 Examples of a Website's Hero Section
Real-world examples can inspire your own hero section design. Here are some hero section examples that excel in both design and conversion.
1. H&M
H&M’s hero section emphasizes its seasonal trends with a bold headline and a clear CTA ("Shop Now"). The large visuals draw visitors in, leading them directly to their new arrivals.
2. Nike
Nike's hero section features strong, action-oriented visuals of athletes paired with a headline like "Just Do It." The CTA ("Shop Now") leads directly to the product page.
3. Glossier
Glossier uses an emotion-driven headline paired with lifestyle visuals, inviting visitors to explore their latest collection. Their CTA directs users to explore the collection, making it easy to engage and purchase.
With Nudge’s AI Product Recommendations, you can showcase tailored product suggestions directly in your hero section, based on visitor preferences and shopping behavior.
With these examples in mind, let’s discuss some common pitfalls that can occur in hero section design and how to avoid them.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Hero Section Design
Even the best hero sections can fall short if not designed properly. Here are 5 common mistakes to watch out for, along with solutions to improve your design.
1. Overcrowding the Hero Section
Too much text or too many visuals can overwhelm visitors and confuse the message.
Solution: Focus on a simple, clear headline, a strong CTA, and a relevant hero image that guides visitors toward the next step in their shopping journey.
2. Poor Mobile Optimization
If your hero section doesn’t adapt well to mobile, visitors may leave before engaging.
Solution: Use responsive design to ensure your hero section looks great and functions seamlessly across PLPs, PDPs, cart, and checkout.
3. Unclear Messaging
Visitors should immediately understand what your brand offers when they land on your site.
Solution: Use a clear headline that communicates your core value proposition, be it on the homepage or PDPs.
4. Lack of a Clear CTA
A hero section without a CTA wastes valuable space and fails to drive action.
Solution: Include a strong, actionable CTA to add to cart, shop now, or view recommendations, which guides visitors through the funnel.
5. Using Low-Quality Images
Blurry or pixelated images can harm your brand’s credibility and turn visitors away.
Solution: Always use high-quality visuals that align with your brand’s aesthetics and provide an engaging, professional appearance across all devices.
Avoiding these mistakes ensures your hero section is fully optimized. To take it a step further, let’s see how Nudge’s personalization features can elevate your website's hero section.
Also Read: Top 13 Landing Page Optimization Practices in 2025
Level-Up Your Website's Hero Section with Nudge's Features
A website's hero section is essential for converting visitors into customers. Nudge enhances this critical part of your site by providing AI-driven personalization that adapts to each shopper’s behavior, ensuring engagement and higher conversion rates. Here's how Nudge can optimize your hero section and drive better results.
Commerce Surfaces
With Commerce Surfaces, Nudge personalizes landing pages, PDPs, and shopping bags based on shopper behavior. Integrate personalized content like dynamic product grids and shoppable videos directly in your hero section to increase engagement and conversions.
Trigger contextual nudges in your hero section based on behaviors such as scroll depth or exit intent. Nudge helps you engage shoppers with personalized offers, upsells, or urgency messages at key moments in their journey, improving the likelihood of conversion.
AI Product Recommendations
Nudge’s AI product recommendations offer tailored suggestions across the cart, checkout, and PDPs based on real-time shopper behavior and preferences. Place smart upsell bundles in your hero section to boost AOV and encourage customers to add more to their cart.
Smart bundling and AI-powered recommendations help increase your AOV by suggesting complementary products based on real-time shopper intent. Place these upsell bundles and product recommendations in the hero section to immediately drive larger purchases.
Nudge recovers more abandoned carts by triggering personalized offers or product suggestions in real time. Through exit-intent popups, Nudge helps bring back customers who have left items in their cart, boosting your conversion rates.
Nudge personalizes the entire shopper journey, from landing pages to checkout. By tailoring content and product recommendations to each user’s behavior, you ensure a more engaging and relevant experience that drives conversions at every stage of the funnel.
Nudge provides personalized experiences that adapt to every visitor, improving engagement and conversion rates at every touchpoint.
Conclusion
By following best practices and focusing on personalization, dynamic content, and clear calls-to-action, you can create a hero section that drives conversions and establishes a strong brand identity.
Your website hero's section is crucial for turning visitors into loyal customers, and with Nudge, you can make it even more powerful. Nudge’s AI-powered personalization tools adapt your hero section to each shopper’s behavior, providing personalized product recommendations, contextual nudges, and tailored CTAs that drive higher engagement.
Book a demo to see how Nudge can optimize your hero section and turn it into a conversion powerhouse!
FAQs
1. What is the ideal size for a hero section?
The hero section should be large enough to capture attention without overwhelming visitors, taking up around 50-70% of the screen height on desktop.
2. How can I personalize my website's hero section?
Personalize by adjusting content, such as headlines, images, and CTAs, based on user behavior, preferences, or past interactions with your site.
3. Why is A/B testing important for hero sections?
A/B testing helps identify the most effective design elements, such as headlines, visuals, and CTAs, to improve engagement and conversions.
4. How can I ensure my hero section is mobile-friendly?
Use responsive design so the hero section adapts to different screen sizes, ensuring text, images, and CTAs remain legible and functional on mobile.
5. What role do visuals play in the hero section?
High-quality visuals create an emotional connection, support the message, and draw attention, encouraging visitors to engage further with your site.
