One of the main marketing challenges is introducing elements and features that transform how users experience your site, making every visit a journey worth remembering.
One simple yet transformative element that elevates user engagement is splash pages. This helpful tool can direct online traffic to specific parts of a website and is often used by businesses to convey important information.
In this article, we’ll take a better look at what is a splash page and how it differs from a landing page. We’ll also provide a few excellent splash page strategies to help you create your perfect template. Last but not least, we will highlight why we believe in splash pages and what benefits you might expect from using one.
What Is a Splash Page?
A splash page is an introductory page presented to website visitors before any other parts of the website.
By captivating attention right from the start, splash pages create a memorable first impression and effectively funnel online traffic to where it matters most.
It’s important to note that the splash page and the landing page are not the same.
While a landing page is a separate page that motivates users to perform a specific action, like purchasing a product, a splash page is actually a large window to inform website visitors.
The information on the splash page can vary, but it often relates to specific discounts, promotions, or relevant updates related to product delivery.
Since this page aims to inform, it generally contains the relevant message about your product and an exit link.
Key Takeaways
A splash page is the first touchpoint between your website visitors and the website itself. It serves to inform the users and direct traffic to certain parts of the website;
Splash pages can increase conversion rates by reminding users of specific promotions or discounts that are currently available;
Including a call to action in your splash page is a good strategy to direct online traffic to particular parts of your website.
How to Define a Splash Page?
A splash page serves as the welcoming face of a website, often appearing as the first page a user encounters.
Typically, splash pages are employed to give a brief introduction to the site or to spotlight a particular product or service. They may also offer a snapshot of the website’s content, or emphasize special features, promotions, or contests.
For example, an e-commerce site might use a splash page to announce a limited-time sale, while a gaming site could highlight a new game release.
While splash pages can be a powerful tool to attract and direct website traffic, they should be used sensibly. Overuse can lead to user irritation, especially if they interrupt quick access to the main content.
Strategically deployed, splash pages can enhance user engagement without becoming a barrier.
Why Are Splash Pages Important?
Splash pages are vital because they deliver essential information in a website’s sea of options.
1. Immediate engagement
A splash page acts as the digital front door, capturing visitors’ attention right away. It can showcase a special deal, introduce your brand, or provide a concise summary of what your site offers.
This initial engagement is crucial for setting the tone and expectation for the user’s experience.
2. Enhanced conversion rates
By strategically directing visitors to targeted content, splash pages can significantly enhance a website’s conversion rates.
They provide a focused platform to highlight a specific product, promotion, or event, making it easier for users to take action such as making a purchase or signing up for more information.
3. Promotion of special offers
Splash pages are particularly effective for informing users about new deals or promotions.
By presenting these offers as soon as a visitor lands on the site, it increases the likelihood of capturing interest and motivating immediate action, helping to differentiate your business from competitors and potentially securing a sale or conversion.
Splash Page vs Landing Page
Since the definition of a splash page and a landing page is relatively similar, many fall into the trap of thinking they are the same. However, the splash and landing pages differ in appearance and their primary purpose.
The purpose of a landing page is to create a conversion, while the main goal of a splash page is to inform the user and improve user experience.
Both of these pages are highly valuable for a business, and the necessity of either page depends on how well a company is currently dealing with its customers. The splash page focuses on the visitors’ UX, while a landing page may prove more valuable if conversions are a priority.
| Aspect | Splash Page | Landing Page |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A brief introductory page shown before the main website | A standalone page designed to capture leads or conversions |
| Primary Purpose | To inform the user and improve user experience | To generate conversions (e.g., sign-ups, sales) |
| Appearance | Often includes minimal content, such as an image or message | Focused content with a clear call-to-action |
| Usage | Used to display announcements, promotions, or age verification | Used in marketing campaigns to drive specific actions |
| User Interaction | Limited, usually just a click to enter the main site | High, with forms, buttons, and other interactive elements |
| Timing | Appears before accessing the main site | Accessed through ads, emails, or direct links |
| Analytics | Tracks visitor entry and engagement with the splash content | Tracks conversions, user behavior, and campaign success |
| Examples | Age verification pages, welcome messages, event announcements | Product launch pages, lead capture forms, special offers |
Top Strategies for Creating Effective Splash Pages
Depending on the type of website you might be running, a different kind of splash page could yield the best results. The following tips have proven the best results while creating your splash page.
1. Right to the point
There are a few key things to remember when designing a splash page for your website. The first is to keep it simple and concise — you want your visitors to be able to understand what your page is about quickly and easily.
If the user is presented with a long paragraph of text, they will likely exit it without reading a few sentences.
2. Focus on the user experience
The user experience can be improved if your splash page is relevant to the rest of your site — you want it to be smooth for visitors. Ensure that the splash page fits in visually with the rest of the website and that the information it provides is up to date.
3. Provide guidance
Your splash page should guide visitors toward understanding your site better. Whether it’s guiding them to a video about your services, a brief about your company’s mission, or a scroll through a gallery of your products, the splash page should enrich the visitor’s journey and invite deeper interaction.
4. Leverage multimedia
Utilizing multimedia elements like videos, animations, or sound can greatly enhance the impact of your splash page. For instance, a short video explaining your product or a quick animation showcasing your service can grab attention more effectively than static images alone.
5. Test and optimize
Regularly testing different elements of your splash page can provide valuable insights into what works best for engaging your visitors.
Experiment with different layouts, messaging, and media to find the most effective combination. Use analytics to track engagement levels and optimize based on actual user behavior.
Additional Tips & Tricks
- A splash page may need to be adjusted to fit the screen of different devices. If visitors are tuning in on their mobile device via a mobile app, changing the size of the exit button and other website elements is important;
- A good splash page can direct visitors to look closely at a specific product or another part of the website. That is why intuitive web design also plays a significant role in digital marketing;
- Incorporating an animated graphic into your welcome screen can engage visitors and make the splash screen less jarring to users.
The Bottom Line
A splash page is the first point of contact between visitors and your website. The splash page represents an important first impression and a chance to deliver essential information to potential customers.
You’ve just discovered what a splash page is and why you need it on a website. With all this knowledge and information, you can determine if a splash page is an element you need to implement for your company’s or organization’s web page.
Splash Page FAQs
Depending on the purpose of your splash page, including links to your social media accounts could be positive. Some websites use a splash page as their digital business card, where all of their promotional information can be shared. However, avoid cramming your splash page with links to social media pages if it already contains plenty of other information.
A splash page delivers crucial information to visitors. If your business has an upcoming sale or event, a splash page can quickly inform each new visitor of the event and increase conversion rates.
There are no concrete rules that limit you in the creation of your splash page. It could be a large image, just text, or a combination of text and another type of media. It’s essential to remember that a splash page should be quick to load, so using video is not generally advised.
Certain key elements are highly important features of the splash page. This means that a good splash page should entertain users, inform them, and be flashy enough to attract attention but not too flashy to irritate repeat visitors and provide up-to-date information about current events.
