You’re on a beautifully designed website. As you scroll, stories appear, images slide in, and ideas feel alive. There are no clunky buttons or long page loads — just a smooth, engaging experience. That’s the power of a long-scrolling website.
If you’ve spoken with a web designer about creating a new website, they may have suggested this approach. Long-scrolling sites are now common, especially for portfolios and product pages. They let users move through content like a story, not a bunch of separate pages. Picture a Web3 or crypto site that explains complex ideas in a simple, scrollable way — one step at a time, without overwhelming the user.
Like any design choice, long-scrolling sites have upsides and downsides. Before using this style, it helps to understand what works well and what doesn’t. Knowing both can help you decide if it fits your goals.
Key Takeaways
What it is: Long or infinite scroll is a design style where all content exists on one continuous page, which is ideal for mobile users and storytelling.
When to use it: Best for portfolios, e-commerce, blogs, and brand storytelling where seamless flow enhances engagement.
Pros:
- Smooth, intuitive user experience (especially on mobile).
- Increased engagement through visuals, interactivity, and narrative flow.
- Easier to update and maintain compared to multi-page layouts.
Cons:
- SEO can suffer if not properly optimized (e.g. lazy loading, anchor linking).
- Navigation may be difficult without sticky menus or clear structure.
- Risk of slow load times or overwhelming users with too much content.
What Is Long Scrolling in Web Design?
Long scrolling is a web design style where users see all the content on one long page by scrolling down. They don’t need to click through different pages. As more content is added, the page grows in length automatically.
This style works especially well on phones and tablets. People already use scrolling to move through apps, so it feels natural. It also creates a smooth experience that keeps users focused without extra clicks.
Source: UX Pickle
When done well, long scrolling helps tell a clear story. It guides users from one idea to the next without breaking their attention. But too much content can make the page feel crowded. To avoid this, designers should keep things simple, organized, and easy to follow.
When to Use Long Scroll Websites
Long-scroll websites are a great choice when storytelling plays a big role in the user experience. They work especially well for businesses like photography studios or design agencies that want to show their work creatively.
The smooth, flowing layout takes visitors on a visual journey. Instead of just showing projects, the site tells a story. This helps people feel more connected to the brand and makes the experience easier to remember.
This design also works well for online stores. Shops with a small, carefully chosen product line can use long scrolling to let customers browse without interruption. When users don’t have to click through pages, they’re more likely to stay engaged and discover something they want to buy.
The redesigned Serena&Lily e-commerce site uses long scrolling to create a smooth and immersive shopping experience. Instead of clicking from page to page, customers can just keep scrolling. This makes looking at products easy, and customers can go back or explore without losing their place.
The site keeps the layout clean and focused. As users scroll, new products appear in a steady flow. This helps people stay engaged and makes it easier to discover new items. A simple, continuous design like this can even lead to more sales because the experience feels more natural and enjoyable.
Long scrolling isn't just helpful for online stores. It also works great for blog posts or detailed articles. Without page breaks, readers can stay focused and move through complex topics more easily. The ideas flow better, and the experience feels more connected and engaging.
Have a look at this beautiful long-scrolling website:
Source: nynjfwc26.com
Long scrolling has many benefits, but good navigation is still important. Users should be able to find what they’re looking for without getting lost or frustrated. Clear, easy-to-use navigation helps improve the overall experience.
Adding features like sticky menus, back-to-top buttons, or anchor links can make long pages easier to use. These tools let users jump to different sections quickly, keeping them engaged and helping them stay focused as they explore the content.
Pros of Long-Scrolling Websites
1. Easy to Navigate
If your goal is to create a simple, user-friendly site, long scrolling can be a great choice. Instead of clicking through many pages, users just scroll down to find what they need. This smooth experience keeps them moving and makes it easier to get information fast.
This design is especially helpful on mobile devices. People can scroll without waiting for new pages to load, making the site faster and more convenient. A long-scrolling layout keeps things easy — and that keeps users happy.
Source: Web Theoria
The way your website is designed affects how long people stay on it. That’s one of the biggest benefits of long scrolling — it keeps users engaged. If you're running an online store, this is especially helpful. The more time customers spend browsing, the more likely they are to buy something.
2. More Engaging
A long-scrolling site can grab attention and keep it. When users see something interesting — like a bold image, a video, or an animation — they’re more likely to keep scrolling. These eye-catching elements can pull people in and make them curious to see more.
People staying on your site longer are more likely to take action. That could mean making a purchase, signing up, or learning more about what you offer. The more engaging your site is, the better your results will be.
3. Great for Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful way to connect with people. A long-scrolling site gives you the space to share your story clearly. You can walk users through your products, explain how they work, or tell them about your company in a way that feels natural and easy to follow.
Instead of squeezing all the details into one short section, you can guide users step by step. This helps them feel informed and confident, exactly what they need to make a smart buying decision.
Source: Webflow
Long-scrolling sites are a great way to connect with your audience. People enjoy a good story, especially with surprise, humor, or suspense. These touches keep users curious and make them want to scroll all the way to the end.
4. Easy to Update
One big advantage of long-scrolling websites is how easy they are to change. You can update the content, add new sections, or improve the layout whenever you need to. If you notice that a long block of text is too much, you can break it into smaller parts to make it easier to read.
You can also add things like videos, animations, or interactive tools. These elements often boost engagement and help your brand feel more modern and lively. Since the layout is flexible, it’s easy to match your brand’s identity and tone while improving the overall user experience.
Being able to update your site without rebuilding everything saves time and money. This flexibility helps your business adjust quickly when trends shift, or markets change.
So, those are the pros, but it’s important that you also know the cons.
Cons of Infinite Scrolling Websites
1. Difficulty with Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
One downside of long-scrolling websites is that search engines may have trouble loading and crawling all the content. When a page takes longer to load, search engines might not reach the bottom — and that means some of your content could be missed.
Here ypu can have a look of another long-scrolling website:
Source: andrevv.com
This matters a lot because SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps people find your site when they search for products or services. If search engines can’t see all your content, your site may not rank well in search results.
To fix this, you’ll need to make sure your long-scrolling site is fully optimized for search engines. That might mean hiring experts or spending more time and money on technical improvements. Strong SEO can boost your rankings — but it’s not a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing effort, and you’ll need to keep updating and improving to stay competitive.
2. More Difficult to Navigate
Navigating long-scrolling websites on mobile devices can sometimes be tricky. If users get confused or can’t find what they need, they may leave before contacting you or buying anything. That’s why it’s important to design your site to make moving around easy and stress-free.
Make sure users can quickly jump to the section they want without getting lost. This might mean using clear navigation tools or adding features like “back to top” buttons. These small design choices can make a big difference in how easy your site is to use — especially on a smaller screen.
3. Pages May Load Slowly
Long-scrolling pages often take more time to load because they hold a lot of content. The more you pack into a single page, the longer it can take to display everything properly. That delay can frustrate users and cause them to leave before they even see what your brand offers.
To prevent this, you’ll need to make sure your site loads quickly and runs smoothly. A fast-loading site keeps people engaged — and gives them more time to explore what you have to offer.
Source: Justinmind
To fix slow load times, make sure your web pages are optimized for speed. This means using fewer large images, compressing files, and limiting plugins. When your site loads faster, users have a smoother experience and are more likely to stick around.
4. Users May Feel Bombarded
Sometimes, long-scrolling websites can feel like too much. If there’s a lot of content all on one page, it can overwhelm users — especially if the layout is cluttered or hard to follow. This can lead to frustration and cause people to leave before they see what you have to offer.
You can avoid this by keeping your content well-organized and easy to read. Use clear sections, visual breaks like images or graphics, and enough white space to give the eyes a rest. A clean layout helps users move through your content without feeling overwhelmed, making it easier for them to find what they need.
Designing for Long Scrolling
Designing a long-scrolling website means understanding how people use and interact with your site. You need to think about the user’s journey and how they will move through the content. Here are some essential things to keep in mind:
Content Hierarchy
Put the most important information at the top of the page. This helps users see the key points first, which keeps them interested and encourages them to keep scrolling. A clear order makes the content feel easier to follow.
Visual Cues
Break up your content with headings, subheadings, and images. These help guide the eye and make the page more visually appealing. They also make it easier for users to scan and find what they’re looking for.
Scrolling Patterns
Add features like parallax scrolling or infinite scrolling to make the page feel smooth and interactive. These patterns create movement and depth, which can make the browsing experience feel more fun and dynamic.
Mobile Optimization
Make sure your site works well on phones and tablets. Use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes. More and more people use mobile devices to browse, so your site must look and work great on any screen. This helps keep users interested and prevents them from leaving too soon.
Navigation and Interaction
Good navigation and smooth interaction are key to making a long-scrolling website work well. Here are a few best practices to follow:
Persistent Navigation
Keep a navigation menu visible as users scroll. This helps them move around your site without needing to go back to the top. It makes browsing easier and improves the overall experience.
Anchor Links
Use anchor links to let users jump to specific sections of the page. On long-scrolling sites, this feature saves time and helps people quickly find what they need.
Interactive Elements
Add small interactive touches like animations, hover effects, or scroll-based actions. These make your site more fun to use and keep people engaged. Interactive features encourage users to explore more of your content.
Feedback Cues
Show users where they are on the page with scroll indicators or loading animations. These small cues give people a sense of direction and help them know what’s coming next. Clear feedback reduces confusion and makes your site easier to use.
Source: Dribbble
Performance and Accessibility
Performance and accessibility are key to making long-scrolling websites work well for everyone. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
Page Loading Time
Make sure your site loads quickly. Use tools like lazy loading (which loads images only when needed), caching, and file minification to speed things up. Fast loading keeps users happy and reduces the chance they’ll leave before seeing your content.
Accessibility Features
Your site should work for all users, including those with disabilities. Add features like screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast options. Making your site accessible helps everyone have a smooth and equal experience.
Mobile Performance
Most people browse on phones or tablets, so your site needs to run well on mobile. Focus on fast loading, responsive design, and smooth scrolling. A mobile-friendly site keeps users engaged and coming back.
Error Handling
Sometimes, things go wrong, but how you handle it matters. Show clear error messages and simple instructions when something doesn’t work. This builds trust and helps users stay on your site.
When you focus on both performance and accessibility, you create a site that’s fast, inclusive, and easy to use for everyone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When designing a long-scrolling website, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can hurt the user experience. Here are a few to watch out for:
Too Much Content
Don’t overload users with long blocks of text or endless sections. It can feel overwhelming and cause them to lose interest. Break content into smaller parts and add visuals to make it easier to read and follow.
Poor Navigation
If users can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll leave. Keep your navigation simple and clear. Use sticky menus and anchor links so users can move around your site without trouble.
Slow Loading Times
A slow site is frustrating. If pages don’t load quickly, users may give up and leave. Make sure your site is optimized to load fast and run smoothly on all devices.
No Feedback
Without feedback, users might get confused or feel lost. Add scroll indicators, animations, or loading signs to show progress and help guide them through the content.
By avoiding these mistakes and following smart design practices, you can build a long-scrolling website that feels smooth, interactive, and enjoyable to explore.
Long Scroll Website Best Practices
To get the most out of a long-scrolling website, you need to follow best practices that improve the user experience and help increase conversions.
1. Focus on the User Experience
Always put the user first. Use clean, simple layouts that are easy to look at. Make sure the information flows in a clear order. Headings and subheadings should guide users from one section to the next. This helps them stay focused and makes the content easier to understand.
2. Make It Mobile-Friendly
More people now browse websites on their phones or tablets. That’s why it’s important to design your site for mobile. Make sure buttons and links are big enough to tap. The text should be easy to read, and images should be adjusted to fit the screen. A mobile-optimized site keeps users engaged and less likely to leave.
3. Break Up the Content
Big blocks of text can be hard to read. Instead, use short paragraphs, bullet points, images, and videos to break things up. This makes the content easier to follow and more enjoyable to explore. When users can quickly scan and understand your message, they’re more likely to stick around.
Source: Original Mockup
4. Use Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Place bold and clear CTAs throughout your page to guide users on what to do next. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or exploring more services, the CTA should be easy to see and match the content around it. A strong CTA can help turn visitors into customers.
5. Track User Behavior
Keep an eye on how users interact with your site. Use analytics tools to see where people stay the longest and where they lose interest. This data helps you make smart updates — like moving key content or adjusting layout — to keep users engaged and improve results.
By following these tips, you can build a long-scrolling website that not only looks great but also turns visitors into loyal customers.
Good Examples of Long Scrolling Websites
Some exemplary sites successfully implement the best practices discussed to illustrate the potential of long-scrolling websites. These sites enhance user experience and effectively drive conversions.
1. Apple's Product Pages
Apple’s product pages — like those for the iPhone or MacBook — are perfect examples of long scrolling done well. They use stunning visuals, smooth animations, and detailed descriptions to draw users in. Each section leads naturally into the next, keeping users interested while clearly showing off the product’s features and benefits.
Source: Apple
2. Airbnb's Storytelling Pages
Airbnb uses long scrolling to tell powerful stories. On pages like “Host Stories” and “Neighborhood Guides,” they mix text, images, and video to share real experiences. These stories bring the Airbnb community to life and give users a deeper look at places and people around the world.
Source: Airbnb
3. The New York Times' Multimedia Features
The New York Times has created several award-winning long-scrolling articles. One standout example is “Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek.” This story blends text, photos, videos, and interactive graphics to bring the event to life.
By using long scrolling, the article flows like a story, guiding readers through complex information without feeling overwhelmed. This format makes the content more engaging and easier to follow, showing how powerful long scrolling can be for storytelling and news reporting.
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FAQ
How to Make a Horizontal Scrolling Website?
To make a horizontal scrolling site, design the layout so users scroll left to right instead of up and down. You can use CSS (like overflow-x: scroll) or JavaScript to control the scroll direction.
Many horizontal sites work well for image galleries or portfolios, where layout and flow matter more than lots of text. Just make sure it works smoothly on all devices.
Is Horizontal Scrolling Accessible?
Horizontal scrolling can be accessible, but only if done carefully. Not all users expect to scroll sideways, especially on a desktop. To make it accessible, add clear scroll cues and keyboard support, and make sure screen readers can handle the content. Always test it on different devices and for users with disabilities.
What Is Immersive Scrolling?
Immersive scrolling pulls the user into the experience. As they scroll, they see animations, videos, or images that tell a story. It feels smooth and interactive, almost like watching a short film or going on a journey. It’s often used in storytelling websites or high-end product pages.
How to Make a Website Scrollable?
Most websites scroll by default. But if yours doesn’t, make sure the content is taller than the screen and that the CSS allows scrolling (overflow: auto or scroll). You can also use tools like scrollbars, anchor links, or sticky menus to help users move through your page easily.
What Is Hyperfast Scrolling?
Hyperfast scrolling happens when a page scrolls too quickly, often by accident. It can make content hard to read or control. This might happen due to coding issues, high mouse sensitivity, or poor scroll settings. A good website should scroll at a steady, comfortable speed for all users.
Conclusion
Now that you know the pros and cons of having a long-scrolling website, you can be more confident about deciding what type of website will best suit your needs when speaking to your web designer.
Even though a long-scrolling site can be very beneficial, it still poses many challenges that must be considered. The information in this article should help determine how to move forward with your web design. A properly planned, well-optimized, long-scrolling website can do wonders for your business.
About Clay
Clay is a UI/UX design & branding agency in San Francisco. We team up with startups and leading brands to create transformative digital experience. Clients: Facebook, Slack, Google, Amazon, Credit Karma, Zenefits, etc.
Learn moreAbout Clay
Clay is a UI/UX design & branding agency in San Francisco. We team up with startups and leading brands to create transformative digital experience. Clients: Facebook, Slack, Google, Amazon, Credit Karma, Zenefits, etc.
Learn more
