Five Ways Animation Improves Websites

2D animation has expanded from its initial use in films. Now, it appears almost everywhere, including advertising, videos, animated video games and educational projects. Not least among these mediums is the web. From blogs to small business sites to the sites of major corporations, animation is improving visitors’ experiences and building companies’ brands online.

Following are a few of the ways in which 2D animation improves websites.

Animation improves website navigation

One-way in which an animation advertising company can improve the look and feel of a website is by using animation to guide a visitor through the website. Typically, animation does so by providing subtle cues. For instance, if a menu item moves in one direction, it will, by doing so, quietly alert the user to the fact that they can slide it the other way to go back to the original page.

Other small design elements can offer users guidance regarding how to use the page. For instance, animating certain icons when an action is successfully completed (such as placing an item in a cart for purchase), can reassure the visitor that their actions are having the desired effect. The result is an easier and more appealing experience.

Animation demonstrates a product or service

Another way in which animation can be used on a website is to demonstrate a product or otherwise educate the visitor regarding something relating to the company’s brand. These demonstrations often take place through the use of large-scale animations such as videos. These videos can be created by one of the animation studios and placed strategically within relevant web pages.

An animated explainer video is generally most useful for visually depicting how certain products or devices work. For instance, it may be used to show consumers how a product can benefit their lives, provide a virtual tour of a product, guide the user step by step through setting up their new mobile phone or computer, or otherwise educate them on some aspect of the products they are considering. This type of video is best used to visually demonstrate things that cannot be easily explained through the written word.

When offering an explainer video on a website, a company should allow the visitor to choose the video themselves, instead of forcing them to watch it. By doing so, they allow the visitor to view the material that is relevant to them, enhancing its value as a part of the website. When viewed by visitors who choose to see it, a video can also improve their perception of a brand and increase the appeal of a company’s products.

Animation builds a brand

Animation is frequently used to build brands in advertising. For instance, logos may be animated, and brand mascots are often animated cartoons designed to connect on a personal level with would-be consumers.

These logos and brand mascots can also be transferred to the company’s website in order to reinforce the characteristics that consumers have heard about when encountering the company’s ads or brands elsewhere. For instance, a logo animation in a banner ad may also be used on a website. A brand mascot in an advertisement may also appear on the website to continue promoting the company’s products and services.

Adding these animated elements to a website can be beneficial. For instance, they can reassure visitors who come to the website that they have come to the right place because they see the mascot or logo with which they are familiar. In addition, the animated elements can provide a personalized face, and a deeper level of engagement with the brand that cannot be achieved through static means.

Animation entertains website visitors

One of the first uses of animation was to entertain. Today, while animation’s role has expanded beyond films, it still also entertains. This entertainment factor is one of the reasons that it is so effective in animated ads. It is also the reason that animation can capture the attention of viewers and assist their memories when viewing educational programs put forth by the educational animation studio.

This ability to entertain also makes animation a wise choice for websites. While many companies do not necessarily need to entertain their site visitors, this element can be appropriate for some audiences. For instance, a website geared toward children may benefit from including bright, interactive elements or videos that will charm the children who visit the site. Websites that specialize in games or other aspects of entertainment may also benefit from including animation that highlights their entertainment capabilities. In addition, animated info graphics may create a more appealing way to get visitors to pay attention to the otherwise dry facts and figures contained therein.

Animation creates visual appeal

Finally, as with any element of a website, animation needs to contribute to the site’s visual appeal in addition to contributing in one of the above ways to the visitor’s experience. For instance, a skilled animation company can create animation that melds seamlessly with the overall web design. In addition, the right kind of animation can be added without damaging the overall simplicity and usability of a site. For instance, a small animated logo or other element can help guide visitors through the site or allow the page to stand out from similar pages on other sites, all without cluttering the screen.

When used correctly, animation can play a vital role on almost any type of website. As a result, choosing a 2D animation studio may be a wise step toward enhancing your website and the experience it offers your visitors.