Above the Fold
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This article explains what “above the fold” means, why it matters, and how to use that space to boost engagement and conversions. You’ll learn best practices for headlines, form placement, and clean design, especially on landing pages. For more tips on building better forms and improving lead quality, check out the Growform blog.
Struggling to Maximize Your Above the Fold Space?
When users land on your website, the first thing they see is the area “above the fold.” This space plays a huge role in grabbing attention and encouraging engagement.
If it’s confusing, cluttered, or boring, you lose them quickly. But if it’s clear, focused, and built to convert, you’ve got a shot.
In this Growform article, we’ll examine why the “above-the-fold” area matters and how to maximize it to improve user interaction and boost conversions.
Why Listen to Us?
Bad forms drain your ad budget. Growform is built to fix that. Hundreds of businesses use our drag-and-drop form builder to create multi-step forms that look great on any device and help capture up to 2x more qualified leads. With years of experience optimizing forms and landing pages, we know how to make the most of the above-the-fold space.
What is Above the Fold?
The term “above the fold” comes from newspapers, where the top half that’s visible before unfolding was reserved for headlines and stories meant to grab attention. On websites and landing pages, it refers to the part of a page that loads first, before the user scrolls.
This space is the most important real estate on your site, as it’s the first thing visitors see. So, it’s your first shot at getting someone’s interest, explaining what the page is about, and encouraging action.
How is Above the Fold Measured?
The position of the “fold,” which is the point where content becomes visible without scrolling, varies significantly across different devices due to varying screen sizes and resolutions. What appears above the fold on a desktop may be below it on a mobile device.
That’s why it’s important to design and test your website’s layout across multiple devices to ensure that key content remains accessible and engaging for all users.
Should You Place Your Form in the Above the Fold Space?
In most cases, yes. If your goal is to drive signups, demo requests, or any kind of lead capture, placing your form above the fold gives it the visibility it needs to perform.
Here are a few other benefits that come with this placement:
- Higher visibility means more users see the form without effort.
- Less friction leads to faster action and fewer drop-offs.
- Stronger intent signals from users who engage right away.
- Clearer value exchange when the form is paired with a direct offer.
- Better performance on landing pages where every second counts.
What Goes Below the Fold?
Below the fold is where you give users more context, details, and supporting content. Once someone’s interested, this space helps them make a decision. It’s a good place for:
- Testimonials or social proof
- Feature breakdowns or benefit lists
- Explainer videos or visuals
- Frequently Asked Questions
Think of it as the reinforcement layer. While still important, it’s secondary to what’s above. It’s where you build confidence and support the action you introduced at the top.
Above the Fold Best Practices for Lead Capture Forms
Make the Form Simple
If a form looks like a chore, users won’t bother. Stick to essential fields and use multi-step forms to break longer flows into manageable steps. Short forms reduce drop-off, especially when placed at the top of the page.
Lead with a Clear Headline
Your headline is your first shot at keeping someone on the page. It should be clear, but also interesting enough to spark curiosity or signal value. A few ways to do that:
- Focus on a specific benefit
- Ask a direct, relatable question
- Offer something useful or free
Back it up with one short line that supports the message and sets up the form.
Keep Copy Short and Purposeful
This isn’t the place for long paragraphs. The goal is to support the form, not bury it. Stick to one main message and keep the text easy to scan. A few well-placed elements go a long way:
- A subheadline that reinforces your main offer
- A short sentence that explains what the user gets
- A quick list of features, benefits, or takeaways
The less work users have to do to understand your offer, the more likely they are to act.
The Growform free trial sign-up form is a great example. It leads with a clear headline, “Start your 14-day free trial,” and a brief copy, “Create high-converting forms in minutes. No credit card required.”
All the key details, including the fields, are above the fold, ensuring the visitor doesn’t miss any information and can complete the form without scrolling down.
Use a Strong Call to Action
Your button text should be direct and outcome-focused. Instead of vague labels like “Submit,” use CTAs like “Get the Guide,” “Book a Demo,” or “Sign Up,” as is in the example above. Clear, specific calls drive more action and make users feel confident about what comes next.
Design for Mobile First
More users browse on mobile than desktop, so what’s visible above the fold will change by device. Test how your page and form load across screen sizes. On mobile, make sure the form stays front and center without endless scrolling.
Highlight Trust Signals (Without Clutter)
Adding subtle trust elements near the form can help boost conversions without overwhelming the space. The key is to keep them short, relevant, and clean:
- A one-line testimonial from a real customer
- A small row of well-known client or partner logos
- A simple privacy note like “We’ll never share your info”
You don’t need a full section of social proof, just enough to give people confidence before they submit.
Build Forms That Are Perfect for Above the Fold with Growform
Forms placed above the fold get seen faster, and when more people see your form, more people fill it out. That visibility has a direct impact on conversion rates, especially on landing pages, where every second matters.
Growform makes it easy to build forms that belong in this high-impact space. With just a few clicks, you can:
- Build and embed responsive multi-step forms directly in your hero section
- Use buttons and logic jumps to define conditions and keep the experience smooth and focused
- Guide users through without overwhelming them or your layout
- Maintain a clean, conversion-focused design on every device
You don’t need a developer or a redesign. Our drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create forms that are built to convert.
Ready to make more of your above the fold space? Start your 14-day free trial with Growform today.