Module 2: Checkpoint 25—Fat footer

Conformance: Optional (Mandatory if used)

Requirements

Agencies may display a fat footer that consists of the main sections of the site and any other important links.

If implemented, the fat footer must be displayed after the content and asides elements and should be displayed on all web pages for that site where practical.

Fat footers may also be used as the site map. Refer to Checkpoint 8 - Site map.

Benefits of conformance

  • Fat footers can be a way to encourage users who have just finished reading content to continue interacting with the site.

Risks of non-conformance

  • Reduction in the ways users can navigate through the site.

Implementation advice

Examples

Explanation

Fat footers are similar to a site map but appear on every page of a website.

  • Fat footers can be used to complement but not replace the site and section navigation.
  • They can also include parts of a website that do not follow the hierarchical structure of the main navigation, such as 'contact us', 'work for us'.
  • They can also visually anchor the content of each page with a base consistent, substantial design element.
  • Care should be taken to ensure that fat footers do not visually dominate a web page.