Grid or scroll? Choosing the card layout.

Cards are a popular design element used on many websites.

They allow for easy organization of content and provide a visually pleasing display for users. There are several ways to display cards on a web page:

This post explores the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

Horizontal scroll

When it comes to horizontal scrolling cards, they can be beneficial to users when there is a need to display a large amount of visual content in a limited space, such as a carousel or gallery. This allows for easy navigation and a more seamless user experience.

However, it's important to consider that some users may find horizontal scrolling confusing or difficult to use, so it's important to test and consider alternative options as well.

Red Kitty

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Blue Kitty

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Green Kitty

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Magenta Kitty

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Yellow Kitty

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Violet Kitty

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Pros:

Saves space It allows for more content to be displayed in a smaller space, making it a great option for mobile devices.
Easy navigation Users can simply swipe to navigate through the cards.
Unique design It can give a website a unique look and feel.

Cons:

Limited content Content may not be immediately visible, leading to potential frustration for users.
Navigation issues Some users may find it difficult to navigate with horizontal scrolling. Especially if they are using a desktop computer without a touch screen.
Accessibility issues It can also be challenging for users who rely on assistive technology to navigate the web.

Grid

Cards in a grid layout are beneficial to users when they want to quickly scan and compare multiple items. The grid layout allows for easy organization and categorization of content, making it easier for users to find what they are looking for.

Nevertheless, if too many cards are displayed at once, users may feel overwhelmed and have difficulty navigating the content.

Red Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Blue Kitty

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Green Kitty

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Magenta Kitty

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Yellow Kitty

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Violet Kitty

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Pros:

Organized content It allows for consistent placement of content, making it easier to read and navigate for users.
Easy to navigate Easy to navigate for users as all cards are visible at once.
Responsive design It is great for responsive design, as content can be easily repositioned and resized based on the screen size.

Cons:

Too rigid Grid layout can be rigid and limit creativity in design, leading to a cookie-cutter look if not executed well.
Can become cluttered The design can become cluttered if too many elements are added to the grid, making it difficult for users to focus on the most important content.
Challenging for complex layouts It can be challenging to implement for complex designs, requiring significant planning and attention to detail.

Grid + vertical scrolling

Imagine combining the grid layout and scrolling. Can we get the best of both worlds and overcome the limitations of each approach? Can that lead to a smoother user experience?

This approach can be useful when there is a large amount of content that needs to be displayed in a structured way. Such as product listings or image galleries.

Red Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Blue Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Green Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Magenta Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Yellow Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Violet Kitty

Turn design into HTML and Tailwind CSS code.

Pros:

Space efficiency Cards in a vertical scrolling grid can help save space on a webpage or app, allowing users to see multiple pieces of content.
Easy navigation A vertical scrolling grid is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing users to scroll through the content in a linear fashion.
Flexibility A vertical scrolling grid can accommodate various types of content, making it a versatile option for many different applications.

Cons:

Limited content visibility In a vertical scrolling grid, users may not be able to see all the content at once, which could make it difficult to find specific pieces of content.
User fatigue Scrolling through a long list of cards can be tiring for users, especially if the content is not engaging or relevant to their interests.
Screen compatibility May not be compatible with all screen sizes or resolutions, potentially impacting the user experience.

Conclusion

HTML, CSS and browsers have come a long way and now there are a lot of cool layout tricks available.

It can be advantageous to use different layouts for mobile and desktop. For example, a horizontal scroll may be more suitable for touch devices, while a grid layout may be preferable for wider screens.

Designers have more freedom to let their imagination run wild, but they should always remember to put their customers first. It's great to have artistic ambitions, but making sure the customer is happy is the top priority.