HTML 5 Footer Tag: How to Keep it at the Bottom
When it comes to designing a website, the footer section often gets overlooked. However, it plays an important role in providing necessary information and navigation links to the visitors. With the introduction of HTML 5, the footer tag has become more powerful and versatile. But one major challenge that web developers face is keeping the footer at the bottom of the page. In this article, we will explore some techniques to achieve this using HTML 5 footer tag.
Understanding the HTML 5 Footer Tag
The footer tag in HTML 5 is used to define the footer section of a web page. It is typically placed at the bottom of the page and contains copyright information, contact details, social media links, and other important links. It is a block-level element which means it takes up the entire width of the page. This makes it a perfect place to add elements that need to be visible on every page of the website.
Why is it Important to Keep the Footer at the Bottom?
Having a footer at the bottom of the page is not just a matter of aesthetics but also has a functional purpose. A website with a footer that is not at the bottom of the page can create a bad user experience. Visitors may have to scroll down to find the footer, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. Moreover, if the footer keeps moving up and down as the visitor scrolls, it can be distracting and affect the overall user experience.
Techniques to Keep the Footer at the Bottom
1. Using CSS Flexbox: With the introduction of CSS Flexbox, keeping the footer at the bottom of the page has become easier. By setting the flex property of the body element to 1, it will take up the entire height of the viewport, pushing the footer to the bottom. Here's an example:
body {
display: flex;
min-height: 100vh;
flex-direction: column;
}
footer {
margin-top: auto;
}
2. Using CSS Grid: Similar to Flexbox, CSS Grid also offers a convenient way to keep the footer at the bottom. By setting the grid-template-rows property of the body element to "auto 1fr", we can make the footer take up the remaining space at the bottom. Here's an example:
body {
display: grid;
grid-template-rows: auto 1fr;
}
footer {
grid-row: 2;
}
3. Using Positioning: Another way to keep the footer at the bottom is by using the position property in CSS. By setting the position of the footer to "absolute" and the bottom property to 0, it will always stay at the bottom of the page, regardless of the content above it. Here's an example:
footer {
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
}
Tips to Remember
- Avoid using fixed positioning as it can cause the footer to overlap with other elements on the page.
- Use responsive design techniques to ensure the footer stays at the bottom on different screen sizes.
- Check the compatibility of the techniques with different browsers.
In conclusion, the footer section is an essential part of a website and should not be overlooked. With the help of HTML 5 footer tag and some CSS techniques, we can easily keep the footer at the bottom of the page. This not only improves the user experience but also adds a professional touch to the overall design. So, next time you design a website, don't forget to pay attention to the footer and use these techniques to keep it at the bottom.
