A hero image can transform a website from ordinary to extraordinary, captivating visitors from the moment they arrive. These full-width images at the top of the page are more than just a pretty picture—they set the tone, convey the brand message, and invite users to explore further.
In this showcase, we’ve curated a collection of hero image website designs that exemplify the art of visual storytelling and web design aesthetics. Each example demonstrates how a well-chosen hero image can elevate the user experience, highlight key branding elements, and enhance website usability.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a wealth of inspiration and practical insights into how hero images can be leveraged to create visually compelling and engaging websites.
Get ready to dive into a visual feast of stunning homepage hero banners and creative website headers that will ignite your design creativity.
Hero Image Examples
Modern Portfolio Showreel Slider
Paramount Timber Group
The layout uses enlarged hero images and interlinked subject matter. This website publicizes a group of timber companies via a user-friendly experience.
Story Blocks
Kaimin Online
This website contains a great example of using brand images in the hero banner.
Minimal Portfolio Website
Steffie de Leeuw
De Leeuw is an artist based in the Netherlands. She wanted a website that would serve as both a portfolio and e-commerce platform.
The hero image provides a personal touch that helps to market her bespoke wallpapers.
Ghost
A standout site making great use of the hero image.
It features a big heading with various call-to-action buttons. This encourages further navigation around the site.
Tatamagouche Brewing Company
An eye-catching parallax design showcases this Nova Scotia-based brewery.
A series of animated dots urges viewers to scroll down the page. As they scroll, the page begins to vanish.
daedelow outdoor
Daedelow Outdoor fuses premium materials with elegance and contemporary design. Their deluxe outdoor furniture transforms any terrace into an idyllic spot.
MILL3
MILL3 is a digital branding agency out of Montreal, Canada. The web designers set out to wow with a crisp and kinetic hero image on their landing page.
Rob Ida Concepts
Of the many hero image examples, you will not want to miss this one. The website exhibits exceptional creations of automotive art.
The Global Group
This uncluttered website uses full-width hero images. That design choice helps to showcase the Global Group design and print agency.
The site also boasts a portfolio and blog.
Pegasus bikes
Check out this unique challenger image. The cycling brand Pegasus has combined a new website with brand positioning power.
This delivers a functional site with the potential for increased conversions.
Job Board Direct
A user-friendly job board website based in the UK. To construct the redesign the developers used custom API.
Muraba Residences
The hero image invites visitors to scroll through moving images of luxurious accommodations.
The Renovator
An online training program site with a clean design that grabs attention.
ASTRAL PROPERTIES
The unique design concept of this luxury accommodation site includes an automatic day and night mode. The images and design interchange according to the time of day.
Cpeople Team
An HR website that helps the Creative People agency source new talent.
Rough Draft Ventures
Rough Draft is here to help you transform your idea into reality. Reach your goals with top-notch education, practical resources, and mentoring.
Get started building that company!
SES-Imagotag
A comprehensive leader in IoT solutions and Electronic Shelf Labels employed in retail. This is an everyday example of the hero image trend.
Cleverbird Creative
A digital design branding firm based in Chicago. Hero images serve to showcase their extensive award-winning work.
As you scroll, the images change and become an exhibition of their wide-ranging portfolio.
Molly & Me Pecans
Here is an exceptional design and hero image example.
It presents viewers with a full-screen image, a sizable heading, and a button. These features encourage visitors to keep navigating.
LLI Design
LLI Design is a London-based interior design company. They have an extensive portfolio and various accolades.
The captivating site design showcases their services and projects.
Phase One Photography
The design of this hero image website helps you to add to and improve your photography skills.
Sharpen your focus on medium format digital photography systems and imaging solutions. All at the click of a button.
Briony Croft
This personal image and styling consultancy gets straight to the point with its brand image. Their hero image features the founder of the company.
Criskin Cosmeceutical
Criskin puts its target market and brand front and center on this beauty e-commerce site.
JustBean
Ben and Becky have put together a stunning collection of coffee-inspired images. The crisp, full-sized pics on this hero image website will delight any coffee-connoisseur!
Island Media
This Jakarta and Bali-based digital agency uses a dark color scheme for their new site design. Elements of 3D and bold typography accent the hero image further.
Kin HR
The design of this site ensures that imagery and wording take up all the layout space. This is an example of a hero image website that sets out to capture the audience and succeeds.
Redefine Ventures
Redefine partnered with Wunderdogs on the cusp of their launch. This, their first digital platform, features a user-friendly hero image.
Want to learn more? All you have to do is click and scroll.
Barancik Foundation: 2021
Hit the pg dn button on this foundation’s site to view the hero images. These images celebrate the voices and art of everyday heroes.
ARM Creative
ARM Creative focuses on marketing campaigns. By mixing video and still images, they provide an inventive production method for their clientele.
Hueman Studio™
By integrating human-focused design with good strategy and positioning practice, Hueman Studio delivers. They capture their audience through compelling websites, brands, and imagery.
Hammerhead
A fantastic website developed with the bike aficionado in mind. The design is a seamless combination of the wow factor and functionality.
HILIGHT
This hero image website plays on its name and mixes that with image interactivity. The result is a clean, crisp take on their brand.
Catscarf
The full-width hero image brings together brand and merch.
The visual content creates a platform for the product. It also serves to capture the brand personality.
HKVANIT1ES
Cars. Vanity Plates. Poetry.
It all fuses together on the streets of Hong Kong and in the site design of this unique artistic project.
Gloutir
Out of Houston, Texas comes a one-of-a-kind creative design and development collective.
Jugaad prod
With a fervent interest in people and culture, Jugaad’s hero image website will move you. That’s all thanks to the concept design and execution.
Hagedorn
Hagedorn’s website mirrors the company’s perspective and particular services. A conceptual video is only one click away.
Visages du Rhône
Allow the 80 images of Camille Moirenc’s exhibition to transport you. Down, round, and about the River Rhone and the site.
Ash-Tay mineral water
Savor the taste and healing properties of Ash-Tay Mineral Water from the Caucasus. The user’s attention is led to the product image.
Miti Navi
The layout in this example of a hero image website highlights the brand. Combining typography with a beautiful image, this is one for sailboat lovers everywhere.
Playground Inc.
This features various animated illustrations that will captivate you. It boasts a professional layout with well-organized features that are sure to inspire.
Cocottes
Cocottes is a top chain of restaurants and caterers in Luxembourg. This functions as both their website and online shop.
The Vault
Invoking the power of suggestion, the hero image focuses on the woodfire oven. This is a great selling point for the business which prides itself in creating pizzas cooked in a woodfire oven.
Tyler Karu Design & Interiors
The focus is on practicality and intention when it comes to Tyler Karu’s interiors. For a modern touch, the site design prioritizes white space with the hero image.
The use of micro-animations arouses the interest of the visitor.
Health By Habit
Want a vitamin that is cost-effective, that you won’t forget to take, and that works? Try Health By Habit.
ZEG Studio
Take your 2D image to the next level with ZEG Studio. It produces a realistic 3D model for you.
Creatives and online entrepreneurs can then construct beautiful images and videos.
ROCKWOOL Behind The Facade December 20
Users can immerse themselves in the architecture by clicking and scrolling on the image. Integrating real footage with 3D models gives the user a unique digital experience.
Villa Giusti
The armistice that ended the fighting between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy was signed in 1918 during the First World War. The signing took place in the historic dwelling known as the Villa Giusti.
The hero image for this site features a photo from the actual time.
Murray Art Museum Albury
The site for this Australian art museum boasts some interesting graphic elements.
Transitions featuring color and cursor, API-driven event calendars, and SVG hero text overlays. These are some of the integral design elements that feature ticketing and e-commerce.
Frantoio Cavalli
Since 1781, Frantoio Cavalli has poured passion and devotion into producing the most exquisite and diverse Italian olives. The site’s hero image is elegant and unassuming, like the brand.
Juliana Bicycles
Take a look at this hero image website for Juliana Bicycles by VentureWeb. Notice how the image conveys both power and warmth.
It captures visitors’ attention with an action shot of the product. The use of simple and classic type transforms this page into a hero.
Daniella Draper
Here is a great example of how to catch attention. A sizable heading paired with a full-screen image holds that attention.
Viewers can subscribe with the click of a button or navigate the site further.
Pastini
A large hero slideshow fills the entire screen in this stimulating concept.
The header remains static as you scroll down the page. Scrolling up again returns you to the main hero content.
Anemoi Marine
Parallax features take up the full screen in this animated hero image. This serves to highlight Anemoi Marine’s innovative technology.
Miami Country Day School
Each page of the MCDS website conveys the familiar vibe of student life. Various multimedia and hi-res pics help to illustrate this to visitors.
Benjamin Herzl Violinist
When it came to the redesign of this site it was important to capture the image of the artist.
As a third-generation violinist, Benjamin Herzl is an amalgam of the modern and classical. The website transmits this with a beautiful hero image and type.
SanaPackaging
This sustainable packaging brand utilizes plant-based and recyclable textiles.
The hero image showcases the design and development of their cannabis packaging. Scroll down to reveal interesting facts about the production process.
Foam Talent 2021
Visitors can view a digital exhibition by scrolling left to right. The website aims to put the new movers and shakers in the world of digital photography at the fore.
High Mountains
Interactive maps meet immersive images and well-honed words. This combination takes users on a tour through the magnificent Italian Alps.
Helideck Certification Agency
The UK North Sea is an adverse area. Helideck Certification Agency assists with safe helicopter use in such situations.
The Gilder
The attractive design of this site uses parallax effects and a full-width image.
Rafal Bojar
Based in Poland, this visual storyteller shows off his artistic digital portraits.
Love for his craft is evident in his photos and videography. Love is also a regular theme in his work.
Quality Peoples
Texture is the selling point in this surf site’s hero image. The use of grain texturing and filters with a vignette and sepia tone element alters the design.
Thus, everyday wear is cleverly revamped as a vintage-tinted brand.
Vesper Villa
Born from the dream of creating the ideal getaway for the hero of Ian Fleming’s bestseller. Vesper Villa occupies a spot in one of Spain’s most exclusive locales.
Fipadoc
This hero image invites visitors to an international documentary film festival in Biarritz.
Fossula
A simple web design ethos coupled with a crisp hero image highlights the brand.
MT Food Group
Specialists in the food export industry. A recent rebrand showcases an attractive and inviting website.
InVision
Another example of an engaging hero image website. The layout employs a bold heading that overlays a large, moving image.
Call-to-action buttons as well as other features complete the page.
ASASSYNZ CATS
An individual page featuring images of Persian cats. The scroll function creates an interactive experience.
Broadwick Live
The moving images of the hero banner showcase Broadwick Live’s brand philosophy. Through culture, music, and more they aim to meld inspiration with creation.
Maxxim Vacations
Take a self-guided tour through Atlantic Canada. Journey from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, Labrador to New Brunswick, and everywhere in-between.
Tennis Club Oderzo
Tennis Club Oderzo’s new website introduces visitors to a contemporary image. This echoes the inner beauty found in those who are a part of the club.
212 Heroes: Forever Young
Users explore the New York streets on a skateboard of their choice. How? Via an interactive video game designed to accent the launch of the Carolina Herrera fragrance.
Imagr
There are no barcodes, queues, or installs with Imagr’s uninterrupted checkout experience. This is possible thanks to their proprietary image recognition software.
Life In Greenville
When it comes to your hero image, bringing type and photos together doesn’t have to be a battle.
Take a look at Life in Greenville. Straightforward, immediate, and elegant.
Vermeulen
Bringing results when it comes to building technologies. Visitors find comfort and intelligence not only in their brand but in the site’s layout as well.
Urban Fig Photography
An obsolete brand image and WordPress website received a revitalizing transformation. This photography company now boasts a crisp, contemporary feel that imbues confidence.
Emmanuelle Waeckerlé
Academic, composer, and artist. Emmanuelle Waeckerlé dreams up choreographies between words, tones, and visuals.
Nick Reese
Hero images can bring a warm, human touch to the cold, digital landscape. Nick Reese’s homepage fully embraces that idea.
New visitors are introduced to Nick and everything he’s about with the use of this image.
Juana Skin
Juana Skin uses their own image to highlight their beauty product, that is as much therapy as it is aesthetic.
Green Assets Wallet
An emerging startup hailing from the world of FinTech.
They aim to provide a smooth transition from a capital market into a viable tomorrow. The process involves defining and endorsing financial resources and facilitating data.
Alete Bewusst
An effective website that promotes its brand and philosophy via lively images and an engaging blog.
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Providing heirlooms that capture the sentiment of the well-known poem. The hero image engenders the same magical spirit.
Wanderful Chalet
Fuse work and vacation for a charming experience at a 4-star chalet in Les Arcs, France.
DENK
Picture a combination of prime interior images with a minimalist design approach. That is the enduring character of this exclusive carpentry company’s website.
The layout and site functionality helps create the right first impression.
Sum Yung Guys
This site for Celebrity Chef Matt Sinclair’s restaurant truly captures the human eye. From images that trail to neon typography, the website for Sum Yung Guys looks, in a word, delicious.
Lacey Studio February 23
High-quality images populate the site across all functions. This New York-based creative’s work serves as the perfect hero image.
In a simple, elegant way, this site highlights Lacey’s prowess as a director and photographer. This comes across through both moving and still imagery.
smietanski
Dr. Maciej Śmietański is both a surgeon and an artist. This duality shines through in the design of this fantastic example of a hero image website.
Lokoto
Precise lines and constructed silhouettes fuse in Lena Akeeva’s visionary clothing brand. Futuristic drama threads through the design of the site.
FAQ about websites with hero images
What is a hero image in web design?
A hero image is a large, eye-catching visual element at the top of a webpage. It’s designed to grab attention, convey the main message, and set the tone. These full-width images often include text and a call to action, creating an impactful first impression.
Why are hero images important?
Hero images are crucial because they are the first thing visitors see. They set the stage for visual storytelling, establish branding elements, and enhance the overall user experience. A well-designed hero section can dramatically increase user engagement and reduce bounce rates.
How do I choose the right hero image?
Choosing the right hero image involves considering the context and relevance to your brand. High-resolution images that reflect your website’s theme and message are ideal. It’s also important to ensure the image is optimized for fast loading and responsive across all devices.
What are some best practices for hero images?
Some best practices include using high-quality, responsive hero images that load quickly. Ensure the image enhances the visual hierarchy and integrates seamlessly with the website’s design. Include relevant alt text for SEO and accessibility. Keep text minimal but impactful.
How can hero images improve user engagement?
Hero images draw visitors in and provide a visual focal point. By using high-quality hero images that resonate with your audience, you create an immediate connection. This visual engagement encourages users to explore further, improving overall interaction with your website.
Should hero images be static or dynamic?
Both static and dynamic hero images have their place. Static images offer simplicity and fast loading times, while dynamic images, like sliders or videos, can add interest and engage users more deeply. The choice depends on your branding and the user experience you want to create.
How do hero images affect website loading times?
Hero images can impact website load times significantly if not properly optimized. Use compressed images and modern file formats like WebP to ensure fast loading. Implement lazy loading for better performance, and always test across devices to maintain speed and usability.
What text should accompany a hero image?
Accompanying text should be concise and compelling. It typically includes a headline and a call to action that guides the user. Ensure the text contrasts well with the image for readability and aligns with your overall branding and website design goals.
How do I optimize hero images for mobile?
Optimizing hero images for mobile involves using responsive design techniques. Ensure the image scales properly and remains high quality on smaller screens. Text overlays should be legible on mobile devices, and the overall user experience should be intuitive and smooth.
Conclusion
Wrapping up our showcase of hero image website designs, it’s clear that a well-chosen hero image can make a significant impact. Each example presented highlights how these full-width visuals can capture attention and convey a powerful message right from the start.
From creative website headers to responsive hero images, these designs show the versatility and effectiveness of using hero images in web design. They not only enhance the user experience but also set the stage for the rest of the website, ensuring that visitors are immediately engaged.
By incorporating high-quality hero images and thoughtful design elements, you can elevate your website’s visual appeal and effectiveness. Let these examples inspire you to experiment with hero images in your own projects, creating captivating and memorable online experiences.
If you liked this article about hero image websites, you should check out this article about website ideas.
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