Under the rules of web designing, everything that is at the bottom of the page, is not very important, and this rule is appreciated by both designers and users. Graphics are not created at the bottom to attract attention, so the footers are forgotten or ignored oftenly when design is completed.
In reality, most footers are boring and uninspired. Designers use this area to post things that they couldn't fit them on top of the website, eg Privacy, buttons to the W3C, copyright, links pointing to the top of the page and contacts. But if most designers ignore the footer, why do not you use it? Why not use the footer to impress your visitors, presenting something unique?
Why footers are useful?
Generally, the things placed in footer are: contact details, address and map of the site, main sections, brief information about the site or its creators. Also it may contain additional features such as RSS and subscriptions information by mail.
However, we can use the footer as a design component, perfect to give your website a personal touch. For example, if you are a fan of Seinfield, why not place a little Kramer somewhere near to the contact details in footer? This way, with a small detail you can customize the site, managing in the same time to attract your visitors attention. Since the main function of the footer is to supplement the layout, often it is given a color that is in contrast to other dominant colors used in the website.
Footers role has grown significantly in blogs design. Now, they contain the latest posts, visitor comments, latest jobs added, the last discussions on the forum or various links. Unfortunately, footers are often used to insert the SEO spam and pop-up ads.
Some designers go ahead and place the navigation at the bottom of the page. In such cases the site is divided into two sections, the top is focused on content, while in the lower section is placed the navigation bar.
Clearly is, that footers role is increasingly important and that designers are determined to call on this graphic element to make it stand out.
