How to Add Parallax Effect in WordPress Site [Easy Methods]

Want to keep your visitors engaged and actively scrolling through your website? Learn how to add a parallax effect in WordPress!

Websites that lack visual appeal and interactivity can lead to disengaged visitors, high bounce rates, and, ultimately, low conversions. The parallax effect adds depth and dynamism to your website, creating an immersive experience that keeps users engaged.

By making foreground elements move faster than background elements, parallax scrolling creates a sense of movement that draws the eye and encourages users to explore your site further.

In this article, we explore how you can create stunning websites with the parallax design effect using three easy methods.

What is the Parallax Effect in WordPress?

The parallax effect is a visual technique where the background of your page moves slower than the foreground as you scroll. This creates an illusion of depth and movement, making your website feel more dynamic and immersive.

The parallax scrolling effect creates a 3D-like effect without the need for actual 3D graphics. It can be a great way to capture visitors’ attention and direct them toward specific parts of your website. 

For example, one of the most common uses of the parallax effect is the on-scroll effect, where the background images move at a different speed than the content in the foreground.

Here’s a stunning parallax scrolling effect created with the Parallax Effect Background Block from Nexter Blocks:

There are also other types of parallax animation effects, such as mouse-movement-based effects. In these, the background responds to the movement of the user’s mouse, creating an interactive experience. 

Benefits of Adding a Parallax Effect

Using a Parallax effect on your WordPress can make users feel more excited about scrolling through it. When used smartly, it can dramatically improve the overall feel and aesthetic of your site. Here are some benefits of adding a parallax effect on your website: 

1. Better User Experience 

The parallax effect provides a bolder product presentation, drawing attention to specific details on your page. It guides the user’s eye to important elements, making the browsing experience more intuitive and enjoyable. 

2. Reduce Bounce Rates 

When visitors find your site engaging, they’re more likely to stay longer. The parallax effect contributes to higher retention rates by captivating your audience and encouraging them to explore further. A dynamic website keeps users interested, reducing the likelihood that they’ll leave after viewing just one page.

3. Increase User Engagement 

An entertained and involved visitor is more likely to interact with your content. The parallax animation effect keeps users actively scrolling and exploring your site. You can smartly redirect visitors to desired sections, guiding them through a narrative or showcasing various features without them feeling overwhelmed.

4. Appealing Aesthetics and Storytelling 

Beyond functionality, the parallax sections on your website enhance the visual appeal of your website. It allows you to tell a story through movement and design, creating a memorable experience for your visitors. This aesthetic appeal can set your site apart from competitors and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Want to add dynamic image sequences to your website? Here are easy steps to convert video to image sequence.

How to Add a Parallax Effect in WordPress

Now let’s learn how to create a parallax effect on WordPress using these three easy methods.

Method 1: Using a WordPress Plugin 

One of the simplest ways to add the parallax effect to your site is by using a plugin. Specifically, the Parallax Effect Background Block from Nexter Blocks is a fantastic option. This plugin allows you to create an immersive experience with minimal effort.

This parallax plugin block helps you create interactive scrolling-based and mouse-movement-based parallax animation effects and offers several styles and customization features to choose from. Here’s how you can use it- 

Step 1: Download and Activate Nexter Blocks 

First, navigate to your WordPress dashboard. Go to Plugins > Add New and search for “Nexter Blocks.” Download and activate it. Once activated, head to Nexter Blocks > Blocks, search for the parallax effect block and toggle it on. Save the settings. 

Step 2: Add Effect to Page or Post 

Now, go to the page or post where you want to add the effect. Use the Gutenberg editor to add an image block and upload an image of your choice. 

In the block settings, look for the Advanced menu, navigate to Nexter Extras, and turn on the Mouse Parallax by setting the degree to which your parallax effect should move along the X and Y axes.

With the parallax effect on WordPress setup, you can adjust several styles and customization features to suit your needs. 

Need inspiration to design your website? Here are our 10+ website layout ideas with examples.

Method 2: Using Theme Features

Another way to incorporate the parallax effect is by using a WordPress theme that supports this feature. Popular themes like Nexter, Divi, and Create offer built-in options for adding parallax backgrounds. To add a parallax effect to any of your themes you can download a dedicated plugin. The AWB plugin is a popular choice. 

Step 1: Download the AWB plugin 

Download and activate the Advanced WordPress Backgrounds (AWB) plugin. It’s a basic, free plugin that helps you add background images and videos to your page. 

Step 2: Add Background Image 

Navigate to the post or page where you want to add the image. Select the AWB block and add it to your desired location. In the block menu, choose “Image” and upload your desired background from your media library. You can also opt for a solid color if that better fits your design. 

Step 3: Enable Parallax

In the block settings under the parallax options, you’ll find a dropdown menu. Select the parallax type to enable the effect. You can choose from scroll, scale, opacity, opacity+scroll, and opacity+scale. Each option offers a different type of parallax effect, so feel free to experiment to find what works best for your site.

Step 4: Enable Mouse Parallax 

If you prefer a parallax effect that’s controlled by the mouse movement rather than scrolling, use the toggle under Mouse Parallax to turn it on. You can then set the size and speed, which define the intensity aspect of parallax scrolling. This creates a more interactive experience as the background responds to the user’s mouse movements.

Note: While the AWB plugin used in this method is free and works with most themes, compared to the Nexter Blocks Parallax Background Effect, it offers fewer features and customization options. It’s not as dynamic or interactive but can be a good starting point if you’re looking to add basic parallax scrolling.

Method 3: Adding Custom CSS Code for Advanced Users

If you’re comfortable with coding and want more control, you can add a parallax effect using custom CSS code. This method allows you to tailor the effect precisely to your liking.

Step 1: Upload Your Image

From your WordPress dashboard, click on Media > Add New to upload the image you want to use as your background. Click Select Files to choose the image from your computer, and then click Open to upload it. 

After uploading, copy the image URL to your clipboard. If you don’t see the option immediately, navigate to Media > Library, locate your image, and then click Copy the background image URL parameter.

Step 2: Add HTML to your Page

Navigate to the page or post where you want to add the parallax effect. In the Gutenberg editor, add a Custom HTML block. If you’re using the classic editor, switch to the text editor mode. Insert the following HTML code: 

Step 3: Add CSS to your theme 

Now, you need to add the custom CSS code to your theme. You can do this through the Theme Editor or the built-in CSS editor found under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS. Add the following custom CSS code, replacing the background image URL with your image URL:

.parallax {

background-image: url("http://yourwebsite.com/wp-content/uploads/your-image.jpg");

height: 100vh;

background-attachment: fixed;

background-position: center;

background-repeat: no-repeat;

background-size: cover;

}

.parallax-content {

width: 50%;

margin: 0 auto;

color: #FFF;

padding-top: 50px;

text-align: center;

}

Adjust the CSS properties as needed to fit your design preferences. For instance, you can change the height, padding-top, or text-align values. After adding the CSS, save your changes. Visit your website’s front end to see the parallax effect in action.

Note: This method requires a basic understanding of HTML and CSS. If you’re not familiar with coding, you might find it challenging. Additionally, any changes made directly to your theme’s CSS may be lost when the theme updates. To prevent this, consider using a child theme or adding the CSS through the Additional CSS option in the Customizer.

Want to make your Elementor website more engaging? Here’s how to add parallax image effect in Elementor.

Tips for Creating a Stunning Parallax Design

While creating a parallax effect enhances your visual appeal and user experience, you must use it wisely. Here are four best practices to help you create a stunning parallax design:

1. Don’t Overuse the Effect

While the parallax effect is engaging, overusing it can overwhelm visitors and distract them from your content. Apply the effect sparingly to highlight key sections or features, ensuring it enhances the user experience without becoming a distraction.

2. Ensure It’s Mobile-Friendly

Many users browse websites on mobile devices, so it’s crucial that your parallax design is responsive. Test your site on various screen sizes to make sure the effect works smoothly. Optimize images and code to prevent slow load times on mobile devices.

3. Optimize for Performance

Heavy animations and large background images can slow down your site. Optimize your images by compressing them without losing quality, and use efficient code to maintain quick load times. A fast website not only improves user experience but also positively impacts your SEO ranking.

4. Use the Right Tools and Plugins

Choosing the right tools makes implementing the parallax effect much easier. There are several plugins and tools available that can help you achieve stunning parallax designs without extensive coding knowledge. Some popular options include:

1. WP Parallax Content Slider: Allows you to create responsive sliders with parallax effects.
2. Advanced WordPress Backgrounds (AWB): A free plugin that helps you add parallax backgrounds to your site.
3. Parallax Scroll: A plugin that enables parallax scrolling effects with ease.

Wrapping Up

The parallax effect works best when you want to create a visually stunning and interactive experience for your visitors. It’s particularly effective for storytelling, showcasing products, or highlighting key sections of your website.

When adding the parallax effect, ensure it complements your overall design and doesn’t clash with other design elements.

If you’re looking to improve the visual appeal of your website, consider Nexter Blocks. Apart from the parallax effect block, it comes with over 90 Gutenberg blocks that make website creation intuitive and easy.

With Nexter Blocks, there’s no limit to your creativity. With hundreds of styling and customization options, you can create a website that captures attention and converts visitors into customers.

Check out the 90+ Gutenberg blocks from Nexter Blocks today!

FAQs on Adding the Parallax Effect in WordPress