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parallax scrolling

Want to add some wow-factor to your website without going overboard? Enter: the parallax effect. This popular design trick creates depth and movement as users scroll, bringing your site to life with just the right touch of modern flair.

If you're on Squarespace and curious about giving your scrolling images a little extra something, this guide is for you.

What Is Parallax Scrolling?

Before we jump into the how, let’s quickly cover the what. Parallax scrolling is when the background images of a website move at a slower rate than the foreground content. The result? A cool, layered visual effect that adds depth and makes your site feel dynamic.

Now that you know what it is, let's get into how you can achieve it in Squarespace.

Why Add Parallax to Your Website?

There’s a reason this effect is everywhere in modern web design: it’s engaging! Parallax scrolling gives a sense of interactivity, making your site stand out while guiding visitors through your content naturally. It also:

• Increases time on site – Users stay longer when they’re scrolling through something visually interesting (which is great for SEO).

• Adds a professional touch – This effect screams custom design. People are going to think you hired a web designer for this.

• Enhances storytelling – It’s great for walking visitors through a story or highlighting key elements with some visual drama.

With the right touch, parallax is the perfect balance of design and usability without feeling like a flashy gimmick.

Step-by-Step: How to Create a Parallax Effect in Squarespace

Here’s how to add a parallax effect to your Squarespace site. You don’t need to be a coding wizard to pull this off. Let’s break it down.

1. Add a Section with A Background Image

To get started, you’ll need a section on your page with a background image. Follow these steps:

• In the Squarespace editor, go to the page where you want the parallax effect.

• Add a new section with a background image. This works in Fluid Engine or the Classic Editor.

• Upload your image and set it as the section’s background. Your section can also have text, but only the image will remain frozen; the text will scroll with the rest of the page.

Make sure the image is large enough to cover the screen as users scroll down. Bigger is better here, but it still needs to be under the 250KB limit for SEO.

2. Add Custom CSS for Parallax Scrolling

Now, the fun part: adding the code that gives you the parallax effect. This CSS code makes the background image of the selected section "fixed" while the rest of your content scrolls.

Go to Website -> System Tools -> Custom CSS and paste the code below in that section -

3. CUSTOMIZE THE CODE TO YOUR WEBSITE

All you need to do now is change the two Section ID’s in the code so that the code applies to the sections on your specific website. Use the the Squarespace ID Finder extension (it's free!) to get the section ID. Click the ID to copy it, then replace section[data-section-id="6711506c758b9a49c620fe71"] with your own.

**Be sure to replace the section ID’s in BOTH sections of the code.

You can adjust the height of the section in the section settings if you want more or less of the image to show.

Congrats! The parallax effect should now be active on your Squarespace site!

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you’re throwing your computer and not a party, here’s some things to double check:

• Be sure BOTH section ID’s in the code are the same section ID as the section you’re applying parallax to.

• Double check that every character of the code matches exactly the code I gave you above. Even one missing comma will cause it to not work.

Common Parallax Mistakes to Avoid

Before you rush off to parallax-ify your entire website, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t overdo it – Parallax can be great when used sparingly, but too much of it can feel gimmicky. Try limiting the effect to one or two key sections on your site.

• Mobile optimization is key – Parallax effects don’t always translate well on mobile devices, so be sure to test your site on a phone or tablet. You may want to disable the effect for smaller screens.

• Slow-loading images – Large background images can slow down your website’s load time. Make sure your images are optimized for the web to avoid this.

Conclusion: Give Your Website the Wow Factor

Adding parallax scrolling to your Squarespace website is a surefire way to impress visitors without being over the top. It’s subtle but impactful, and with just a bit of code, you can turn a simple scrolling image into a dynamic experience that keeps users engaged.

If you're looking to take your web design to the next level, parallax scrolling is a great place to start. And if you're not the coding type, don't sweat it—hiring a web designer can take the guesswork out of it for you!

Give it a try and watch your site transform into something special - and then drop a link in the comments :)

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