A slideshow, also known as a slider, is a graphic display that can be found on some websites. It contains photos, graphics and videos that scroll automatically or they can be controlled by the user. Slideshows are often found at the top of the homepage, but they can also be used on interior pages, as well as at the bottom of web pages. They are a great way to increase user engagement and they can provide website developers with useful user data.
There are different kinds of slideshow displays that can appear on homepages, interior pages and at the top or bottom of the page. They include:
Images are the most common item displayed in a slideshow. However, graphics and videos can also appear in a slider. Sound can also be used to enhance the slider as a whole or different sound bites can be used with each image.
Although the displays may appear the same, there are different ways for slideshows to be integrated into a website.
A video slideshow can be created from graphics and photos, then being uploaded to the site. The easiest way to execute this method is to export a PowerPoint presentation. However images cannot be swapped out without editing the entire PowerPoint file.
Javascript enables the use of transitions, control buttons, display times, filters and more. Pictures can be changed out easily but incorporating sound can be more difficult. In addition, a cursory knowledge of plugins is a must.
There are some benefits to using a slideshow on a website. They include:
There are some cons to using sliders. Not all plugins and extensions follow best practices for responsive design, so there can be a steep learning curve. If not implemented properly, or if a slow server is being used, a slideshow may load slowly. The longer it takes to load, the more likely users are to leave the website early.
