The Power of Influencing People with Website Storytelling

How to Incorporate Website Storytelling into Your Own Website

The art of storytelling, to this day, remains one of the most popular human pastimes…of all time. From films and novels to video games and websites, good storytelling consistently draws a crowd and is one of the most profitable means by which to sell a product or service. 

But website storytelling is a particularly new medium unique to the 21st century (broadly speaking) and must achieve what films and novels are designed to do in a way that is simultaneously accessible, interactive and sales-focused.

For websites, design storytelling is arguably more important than any kind of narrative venture because websites are a digital experience that often rely on visual storytelling in the design of the website’s various interactive elements.

In this blog, we’re going to examine what elements and best practices make for effective website storytelling and how you can use them to create a web design that is at once a high-quality visual experience and an effective tool to sell your products and services.

Famous Examples of Website Storytelling

One of the most famous examples of website storytelling is that of Pixar, with their website design for the movie “Up”. The website features a series of interactive elements that tell the story of Carl and Ellie’s life together, from childhood to death, culminating in an emotional call-to-action to buy tickets for the film.

Another famous example is that of MVMT Watches, whose website design tells a minimalist story about how the brand was founded by college students who wanted to create high-quality watches at affordable prices. The website tells this story through simple images and icons, but uses them artfully to emotionally engage visitors before offering a “Buy Now” button as a call to action.

And finally, we have the website design for Amazon Prime, which uses simple product images to tell the story of how convenient shopping on Amazon can be when you are an Amazon Prime member.

Overall, website storytelling is an art form that requires designers to balance visual appeal with effective narrative techniques. Whether using animation, icons or products themselves as symbols, website storytelling offers endless possibilities for engaging website visitors and selling your products or services.

7 Essential Elements and Best Practices of Strong Storytelling in Web Design

Here are the 7 main elements and best practices of storytelling websites that contribute to consistently grabbing reader attention, presenting a visual story and often boasts easy navigation.

1. Clear and Compelling Narrative

Even in our whirlwind digital age, the core of website storytelling is the story itself, so it’s important to ensure that your website tells a clear and compelling narrative that draws people in from start to finish (and avoids page-bouncing time wasting elements). 

From the lens of storytelling website design, a clear and compelling narrative means choosing images, colors, fonts and other design elements that support your message rather than distracting from it.

2. Interactive Design Elements

In order for website storytelling to be truly effective, it must also include interactive design elements such as animations, horizontal scrolling designs, easy-to-read dropdown menus or “click-to-reveal” features that allow visitors to engage with the website on their own terms and explore the story at their own pace.

3. Intuitive Navigation and User Experience

A website with poor navigation or an unpleasant user experience can undermine website storytelling and its ability to engage website visitors. 

One of the best ways to ensure a positive user experience (as well as increase engagement and time-on-page) on your site is through the use of video. In fact, studies show that 84% of people have been convinced to buy a product or service after watching a video.

Thus, it’s important to design your website with usability in mind in order to ensure that all aspects of web design are working together to create a seamless, high-quality visitor experience. 

4. A Strong Call to Action

The ultimate goal of web storytelling is to motivate your audience to do something so it’s important that your website includes a strong call to action – whether at the end of the story itself or within each individual interactive element – that guides users towards contacting you, making a purchase, or taking another desired action on your website.

5. Consistent Brand Messaging Across All Pages and Design Elements

The best storytelling websites should tell one cohesive story using consistent branding and messaging throughout, so that website visitors are always clear on who you are and what you stand for. 

This means using the same color schemes and fonts throughout your website, as well as ensuring that all design elements – such as images or icons – are relevant to your brand in some way.

6. A User-Friendly Interface

As mentioned earlier, website storytelling is only effective if it includes a user-friendly interface with intuitive design elements that allow website visitors to easily navigate your website and interact with its story at their own pace. 

This often means designing each interactive element to be simple and straightforward, while also taking care not to overwhelm users with too many choices or distractions along the way.

7. Expert Web Design Services

Perhaps most importantly, website storytelling is only possible with the help of expert web designers who can bring your website story to life and ensure that it functions seamlessly from start to finish. 

Whether you need a complete website redesign or assistance with a specific design element such as interactive content or user-friendly navigation, the right web design professionals can make all the difference in creating an effective website experience for your visitors.

Using Pixelcarve to Enhance Your Own Website Storytelling

At Pixelcarve, we are experts in digital marketing, website storytelling, and video production,  and can help you design a website that truly engages your visitors and brings your brand to life. 

Whether you need assistance with visual design, website copywriting, website usability or any other element of website storytelling, our team of skilled designers will work closely with you every step of the way to ensure that your website is both beautiful and effective.

So if you’re looking to enhance your website storytelling and create a website experience that resonates with your target audience, contact us today to learn more about how we can help. With Pixelcarve on your side, there’s no limit to what you can achieve!