When is it okay to use an overlay?
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I've done my research and can't seem to find best practices on when one should use an overlay. Should they ever be used or do they really help out in certain situations? I hate the idea that an overlay can break the flow of a page, but if it has nothing to do with a specific page, like a login/signup box, then maybe it fits right in.
Would love to know how you use them. -
A login/signup box would probably be the best use, if not that maybe a notice of some sort. But couldn't that be integrated into the design the user sees first anyway?
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What exactly do you mean by overlay? Can you provide an example? Lightbox-type overlays for images and sometimes video seem to be pretty standard. Also, if you have a form, and a field needs further explanation or supporting text (a "help" link), I think an overlay can be more user friendly than sending the user to a new page.
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Yeah, like I have an overlay explaining what a CAPTCHA is for the technologically-behind on a client's website. Powered by FancyBox.
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If by overlays you mean "modals" or "modal windows", I believe it primarily boils down to what @joshuamilford said about sending someone to a new page.
I usually gauge the use of it by how much going to a new page breaks the experience or the activity of the current viewer. Say for logins, it lessens the actions by not having to go to a new page just for a login form. In e-commerce websites, it could very useful when people are in "quick browsing" mode and are rapidly checking merchandise and comparing them against another. Those are just a few examples. -
@joshuamilford @aprilfool Indeed I do mean modals. I ask this question because at work we were working on a landing page for a product and I wanted to put the order form right in the flow of the landing page since that is where the user is reading all the information. Others wanted to put the order form in a modal, but I figured that was just adding another step to a process where we are trying to get the user to take action. Also, putting it in a modal didn't add to the experience.
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@scrivs In that particular situation, it sounds like you've nailed it. Especially on a landing page, if you can get the user to perform the desired action with as few steps as possible, you're winning.
