How to Know if a Storytelling Website Is Right for You

Storytelling and web design go hand-in-hand, so it’s safe to say that we think a lot about it here at Plank. And no, not the type of storytelling with dragons (although those are pretty cool, too!). Storytelling is a digital practice that reconstructs the traditional way that content is presented to an audience.

Curious to learn more? Come along with us as we venture into the world of storytelling and break down all the details, including a few examples of how it can be implemented in real-life scenarios.

What Is a Storytelling Website?

Storytelling is an increasingly popular way to approach web design. Naturally, storytelling in its purest form is an important component of any web project. However, the effective combination of scrolling and interactivity presents a whole new world of digital possibilities. Also known by its more trendy moniker, “scrollytelling,” website storytelling presents content dynamically through the creation of interactive web elements.

With a heavy emphasis on the user experience and visuals, this technique combines modern industry trends such as motion effects, animation, and alternating texts into one engaging form. The scrolling actions of the user triggers the effects on the site, allowing them to make a contribution in their own right to your site’s content. In other words, the user can actively participate in the story rather than a passive spectator.

New technologies and techniques are constantly being introduced to the digital landscape, making it difficult to determine which format is the best for your web project. Gone are the days where a “one size fits all” approach suited every web design endeavour. If you’re looking for a content-first approach, then a digital storytelling website might just be worth considering!

When Is Digital Storytelling Best Used?

So, you might find yourself entranced by the idea of storytelling. But how do you know for certain that it’s the perfect fit for you?

The most effective opportunity for visual storytelling is when you want to convey a story that is rich in detail. In particular, the projects that do best in this form are ones that are not expected to change on a regular basis. While a Content Management System (CMS) can be integrated should a client’s needs evolve over time, it is most effective when the actual content is expected to stay the same and not be repeatedly modified.

Long-form content often does well in this format, as many online examples will prove. But that’s not to say that you’re restricted when it comes to exploring storytelling for websites. In fact, there are a number of creative opportunities. Some examples include brand storytelling, campaign landing pages, chronological and historical stories, and even large-scale projects.

Storytelling Websites in Motion

If you’re wondering what visual storytelling looks like in practice, we’ve got you covered! Here at Plank, we’ve long been big proponents of the storytelling approach.

Recently, we have experimented with storytelling to exhibit our own initiatives in engaging and dynamic ways. Our Ethical Web Collective was an interactive website which introduced our audience to our ethical web initiative. Curious minds can learn more about our initiative and explore the various principles in a visual way, while having the opportunity to download a more in-depth PDF.

Additionally, we transitioned our 2023 Annual Impact Report into a digital storytelling experience last year to showcase how we are working towards our commitments as a B Corp Certified agency. In this example, we took a content-heavy topic and transformed it into an interactive and more digestible format for users to pursue.

Do you want to learn more about how storytelling can transform your site’s content? Feel free to contact us to find out how we can work together to create a project that best suits your goals!