It’s wild, but the average user sizes up your company in just 2-3 seconds after landing on your site. Yes, that’s all the time you’ve got to impress. Grabbing users attention isn’t easy these days—which is exactly why we love scrollytelling. Scrollytelling turns that fleeting moment into an opportunity to captivate, pulling users deeper into the story with each scroll.
We believe that scrollytelling is the new standard for how stories are told online.
What is Scrollytelling?
Scrollytelling is a digital storytelling technique that unfolds as the user scrolls through a webpage. It transforms traditional narratives into immersive, interactive experiences where each scroll reveals a new piece of the story, making it feel unique and immersive. Using a combination of interactive content elements, such as parallax scrolling, smooth transitions, and strategically placed visuals and animations, scrollytelling elevates story arcs, improves readability, and sustains reader interest.
Scrollytelling is always a good idea. Here is why:
Scrollytelling is effective because it aligns with natural user behaviour, we all know how to scroll and that’s how we digest any content. Scrollytelling leverages this habit to guide a user through a story.
It breathes instant life and movement into any content, and actively involves readers in what they are consuming—creating a sense of control, exploration, and discovery.
Here are a few reasons why it works so well:
Impression
It’s all about crafting a bespoke, interactive experience that makes users think, “Wow, they really know what they’re doing.” People notice when you put in the effort, and they appreciate it. With scrollytelling, you’re not just telling your story—you’re flaunting it, leaving no doubt that your brand is a cut above the rest.
Engagement
The interactive nature of scrollytelling keeps users engaged longer, encouraging them to explore the content fully.
Visual Appeal
Dynamic visuals and animations grab attention and create a memorable experience.
Control
Users can navigate at their own pace, making the experience feel intuitive and user-centric.
Story Depth
By layering content, scrollytelling allows for a deeper dive into the story without overwhelming the audience.
Responsive design is essential for creating an engaging and immersive experience. Having control over the width and height of any screen is crucial—it’s about treating each scroll as a deliberate moment, where content is revealed and hidden with seamless precision.
A few years ago, when the scrollytelling trend started gaining traction, tools like Editor X, followed by Wix Studio, provided us with the perfect platform not only to create responsive websites but also to implement scrollytelling seamlessly.
Around the same time, we also began placing a stronger focus on branding strategy for our clients at Olya Black Studio. This shift allowed us to better understand their narratives and transform those stories into interactive, compelling experiences. It’s this combination of responsive design, storytelling, and advanced tools that’s helped us create more immersive websites with real impact.
How to Create Effective Scrollytelling
Start with a Strong Story
The foundation of any great scrollytelling experience is a compelling narrative. We start building a website only when branding is nailed, the vision is clear and we know exactly what story we want to tell.
Structure
You need to identify the key message and structure the story. We call it content strategy and it serves as the foundation for creating a seamless narrative that guides users through a website with purpose and clarity.
Design with Intention
Use visuals, animations, and multimedia elements strategically to enhance the story, not distract from it.
Prioritise Performance
Ensure your scrollytelling experience loads quickly and functions smoothly across devices to keep users engaged.
Test User Flow
Make sure the pacing feels natural and intuitive. Test with real users to refine the experience.
The Future of Scrollytelling
As technology continues to evolve, scrollytelling will become even more immersive with the integration of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and advanced animations. It’s not just a trend but a growing necessity for brands and creators looking to stand out in the digital landscape.
Scrollytelling is more than a storytelling technique; it’s an experience. By combining narrative depth with visual and interactive elements, it creates a powerful way to connect with audiences. But what makes it so exciting for designers is that scrollytelling isn’t just one approach—it’s a dynamic mix of techniques and tools that can be combined in endless ways. This flexibility opens up a world of possibilities for us, allowing each project to feel fresh, unique, and deeply engaging. With scrollytelling, the line between user and story blurs, making the journey just as important as the destination.
And by the way) Scrollytelling doesn’t have to be overly complex or break the bank—it’s all about smart design choices, thoughtful storytelling, and using the right tools to bring your vision to life within a reasonable budget.
One of our favorite examples of scrollytelling from our portfolio
