Popular site backgrounds (and tips on choosing one)

By nature, backgrounds do not get enough attention - but any designer will tell you that they are an important part of creating a website. Website backgrounds set the tone for your design, and serve as an integral part of the user experience and overall success.

In this article, we will go through popular types of website backgrounds and the impact they have on visitors. In addition, we will provide expert tips on how to choose one and use it in a way that will result in an impressive website design.

Website Background 101

In web design, background is one of the most basic elements of a website - so basic that its meaning can often be overlooked. But in reality, it is a powerful tool that shapes how visitors experience your site, and choosing the perfect backdrop should be a thoughtful process.

A web page background can be an image, a color or a pattern used on a web page, while other web page elements are in the foreground. More than just a visual resource, a web page background is a great tool that can help you highlight certain aspects of your website, set the tone for your brand and enhance the user experience.

As you browse through the different styles described below, keep in mind these two main approaches:

• A body background is one that encompasses the entire screen. This includes photos, video, solid colors, etc.

• A content background, on the other hand, is when the background design does not take up the entire screen, but surrounds other important content such as images, which affects the site's layout.

Types of web page backgrounds

As web design trends continue to evolve, so do background possibilities. There are many to choose from, and it's exciting to decide what's best for your own design. Below we will go through each of these by pointing out the individual benefits along with examples to visualize the potential of your design.

Gradient website backgrounds

Gradient backgrounds are part of an ongoing trend, with roots in the aesthetics of the 90s. By gradually mixing a combination of colors, gradients create an engaging and modern visual experience. One of the added values ​​of gradient design is the versatility - sometimes mixing similar shades of the same hue, or alternatively using completely different complementary colors.

Whatever gradient style you choose, this type of background means that the focus of your design is color. You can add unusual shades to create a unique layout, or create a gradient of your brand colors to add strategic flavor to your site.

Website backgrounds with solid colors

Solid colors = a solid background choice for the website. When you use this type of website background, you provide little opportunity for visual clutter. A solid background will ensure a clean and organized web design, and will likely help users with readability.

You can choose any color of the rainbow, a classic white background, or choose a dark website theme using black. Either way, make sure your colors are in line with your site's brand identity. If you are an established brand, freelancer or blogger, you want this color to complement your personality as much as the rest of your design.

Animated web page backgrounds

Decorating your site with movement will definitely keep visitors on your page longer. Whether it's adding high quality videos or moving graphics as the backdrop to your site, the interactive nature of these lively visual tools can enhance your site's design and provide an attractive user experience as well.

Since motion is easily overwhelming, you should carefully consider how your background can engage users without distracting them. Using a video background, for example, is a great way to introduce visitors to your brand, while motion graphics provide a trendy and captivating effect when properly implemented.

Pro tip: If you do not want your background to be fully animated, but still want to influence with movement, you can try to include effects such as parallax scrolling. This web design technique, where the web page background moves at a slower pace than the foreground, results in an immersive 3D effect that subtly enhances the user experience.

Graphic website background

Aside from their alluring nature, graphic backgrounds provide the opportunity to complement the content of your site. From graphic images to abstract designs - this type of background can help tell a story that represents your brand.

With so many graphics to choose from, it's important to find one that matches the overall theme of your website design so that you do not confuse visitors. With the development of graphic design tools, you should have no problem implementing a high quality graphic background that enhances the impact of your website.

Website backgrounds with patterns

Patterns are a long-standing choice for website backgrounds, and combine motifs and color choices to give design an aesthetic edge. There is something about the consistency of repetitions that is also a delight to the eye.

One of the benefits of choosing this type of background is the variety of styles available in today's web design world. Patterns range from minimalist themes to designs that include photorealistic images. As always, it is important that your background is not too busy. When going for a more sophisticated pattern, consider using muted colors that will keep the overall design of the site in balance.

Textured web page backgrounds

A textured web page background is one that resembles a tactile surface. Because of this quality, using this type of background is a great way to add a new dimension to your website without taking design risk or distracting visitors.

Web textures provide contrast, and facilitate an engaging experience. When choosing one for your own website, make sure it complements the elements in your foreground - when done correctly, textured backgrounds can attract attention and help users focus on your message.

Photographic website backgrounds

A classic choice on some of the best sites, an eye-catching photographic background is one that will make a striking impression on visitors. This type of background is best suited for an event website or for creating a blog, when it is important to provide clear visual representation to follow the website's written content.