Carousel website design best practices & examples

Carousels, often referred to as sliders or galleries, are frequently used in web design, but they come with several downsides that can negatively impact user experience. These moving elements are often mistaken for ads, ignored by users, and can hinder accessibility, particularly for those with motor skill challenges. Additionally, carousels can cause content to be missed as users struggle to read text before it advances. Designers are encouraged to persuade clients to reconsider using carousels, emphasizing the importance of user control and a clear, single message on websites. If clients insist on using carousels, it's advisable to monitor their performance and consider alternative designs if they fail to engage users effectively. Carousels should not be used in homepage hero sections, as they can confuse branding and decrease conversion rates, nor should they be used in articles or as a means to serve internal business metrics over user needs. Carousels often become cluttered dumping grounds for miscellaneous content, leading to poor user engagement and a neglected user experience.