Used extensively by popular websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, infinite scrolling has quickly become a mainstay on the web. However, many marketers fail to recognize their website’s limiting factors when implementing their infinite scrolling designs.
Infinite scrolling is a technique in which users can scroll through a list of content without having to stop and load more content. When you implement it correctly, it can be a very effective way to engage your audience by offering that constant distraction that is so coveted by internet addicts.
However, many companies think Infinite Scrolling will automatically increase the number of time users spend on your website.
The concept of infinite scrolling has been around for a while now, but it’s only recently that this UX pattern has started to be used more and more on the web. So, what is it? Infinite scrolling is a pagination technique that helps users to scroll through a large amount of content without having to click on pagination links.
This can be a great way to improve the user experience on your website, but it’s not suitable for every type of site. In this article, we’ll explore when to use it, when to avoid it and how you decide which one is right for you!
What Is Infinite Scrolling?
Infinite scrolling is a pagination technique that allows users to scroll through a large amount of content without having to click on pagination links. Instead of clicking on a ‘Next’ button or link, the user simply scrolls down to see more content. This can be an effective way to keep users engaged with your content, especially if they are likely to find what they’re looking for further down the page.
It’s an attractive way to present content, particularly on social media sites and news aggregators, where users are used to scrolling down the page. And it can be an effective way to keep users engaged with your site. But it’s not always the best option and there are some potential drawbacks that you should be aware of before implementing infinite scrolling on your site.
When used properly, infinite scrolling can provide a better user experience than traditional pagination. But there are also some potential disadvantages that you should consider before adding infinite scrolling to your site.
Some of the pros of infinite scroll include:
– Users can consume content more quickly and easily
– It can be visually appealing
– It can keep users engaged with your site
But there are also some potential drawbacks, such as:
– It can dramatically increase page load times, particularly for users with slower internet connections
– Users may have difficulty finding specific pieces of content if they need to scroll back up the page
– Infinite scroll can be disorienting for new visitors to your site
If you’re considering adding infinite scroll to your site, weigh the pros and cons carefully to decide if it’s the right choice for your particular project.
When to Use It?
When it comes to implementing infinite scroll, there are a few key factors you need to consider before making the decision to use it on your site. The first is whether or not your content is well suited for an endless scrolling experience.
If you have a lot of content that can be broken down into smaller pieces, and if that content is organized in a way that makes sense to scroll through endlessly, then infinite scroll could work well for you.
On the other hand, if your content is not well suited for an endless scroll, or if it’s not organized in a way that makes sense to scroll through endlessly, then you might want to avoid using the infinite scroll on your site.
Another factor to consider is whether or not your users will actually find infinite scroll helpful or user-friendly. If you think they will, then go ahead and implement it! But if you’re not sure, or if you think they might find it confusing or frustrating, then it might be best to avoid using infinite scroll.
Ultimately, whether or not you use the infinite scroll on your site is up to you. Just make sure to carefully consider both the pros and cons before making a decision.
When to Avoid It?
If you have a lot of content on a single page, infinite scroll can be overwhelming for users. If users need to find specific information on your website, infinite scroll can make it difficult to quickly scan through content and find what they’re looking for.
Additionally, if you have ad units integrated with your infinite scroll, users may inadvertently click on ads as they are scrolling down the page.
Usability Issues Caused by Infinite Scrolling
One of the chief complaints against infinite scrolling is that it can make a website difficult to use. When users reach the end of a page, they expect to be able to click on a link or button that will take them to the next page.
With infinite scrolling, there is no such link or button, and users must scroll all the way back up to the top of the page if they want to return to the beginning.
Another usability issue with infinite scrolling is that it can make it difficult for users to find specific content on a page. If a user wants to go back and read an article they saw earlier, they may have difficulty finding it again if it is buried beneath a lot of new content.
Finally, infinite scrolling can adversely affect website performance. As more and more content is loaded onto a single page, longer it takes for that page to load. This can lead to frustration on the part of users, as well as decreased ranking in search engines.
Conclusion
Infinite scrolling can be a great way to improve the user experience on your website or app, but it’s not always the best solution.
It’s important to carefully consider when to use infinite scroll and when to avoid it, in order to ensure that you’re providing the best possible experience for your users.
