/ Articles -
Best Practises
The scroll-stopper formula: 3 second rule
August 15, 2025
You’ve done it today. Probably in the last hour.
Scrolled past a dozen posts, ads, and websites without even noticing them...
And that’s the problem.
If you don’t grab attention in the first 3 seconds, you lose the game before it even starts. Whether it’s an ad, a website hero, or a social media post, the fight for attention is brutal.
So, how do you actually make someone stop scrolling?
1. Contrast is key
Your brain loves patterns… until something breaks them. That’s why you notice the one neon sign in a street full of grey buildings or when someone wears unique clothing. Despite us loving patterns, we've been trained to notice differences.
In design and marketing, contrast can mean:
Visual contrast: Bold colors, unusual shapes, unexpected compositions.
Content contrast: Headlines that challenge an assumption or make you raise an eyebrow.
Example: A fashion ad where the model is upside down in the frame. Weird? Yes. Scroll-stopping? Definitely.
2. Show relevance instantly
People don’t have time to figure out if your message is for them, you need to make it clear from the start.
That means using:
Images that reflect your audience’s world.
Words they actually use, not jargon and no fluffy words.
A headline that screams: “This is about you.”
Example: Instead of “Innovative cloud-based solutions” try something like “Your files, accessible anywhere, even without Wi-Fi”
3. tease with curiosity
Ever clicked on a video just because you had to know what happened next? That’s the curiosity gap at work.
Give a taste, but not the whole story:
A question without the answer.
A before/after with no “after” shown.
A cliffhanger in the headline.
Example: “This tiny UX change doubled our sales. Here’s what we did.” You’re hooked because now you have to know. Just remember when, or if, you use clickbaits, you need a real payoff and not mislead the users.
4. Make it ridiculously easy to consume
If your design takes too long to process, you’ve already lost.Keep it simple, fast, and scannable.
Tips:
Big, clear visuals.
Minimal text in the first view.
Fast loading, a slow site is the ultimate scroll-killer, especially on mobile.
The takeaway
The internet is noisy. You have 3 seconds to cut through that noise.Hit with contrast. Show relevance instantly. Tease with curiosity. Make it easy to digest.
If you can win the first 3 seconds, you can win the next 30, and maybe even turn a random scroller into a loyal customer.
What people are saying
5 things I've learned from working with linkedin marketing
There’s no shortage of advice about LinkedIn marketing. Post often, be personal, use visuals, don’t sound salesy. Most people already know the basics.
What I’ve learned from working with LinkedIn marketing from a UX, communication, and visual perspective is that posts rarely fail because the message is bad. They fail because they’re hard to consume in a fast-moving feed.
Here are five lessons that consistently make a difference.
Why your website feels cheap (even if it wasn’t)
Ever visited a website that should feel premium, but somehow doesn’t? The branding looks fine. The photos are professional. Someone has likely been paid a decent amount to create it.
And yet… it feels cheap.
This happens more often than you think. And no, it’s not about taste. It’s about execution. Here’s why your website might feel low-quality, even if a lot of money went into it.
Adobe buying Semrush: SEO future
When Adobe announced they're buying Semrush the entire marketing world raised an eyebrow. Adobe isn’t exactly known for SEO tools, so why spend almost two billion dollars on one?
The short answer to why Adobe is buying Semrush:
Search is changing faster than ever and Adobe doesn’t want to fall behind.
In this article, I’ll break down what this deal actually means, why it matters, and how it’s connected to the rise of AI-driven search.
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
Atlassian buying The browser company: Arc sold
When Atlassian in September 2025 announced they're buying The Browser Company, the team behind Arc, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise and fear. Arc was never a typical browser. It was loved for its clean design, creative energy, and small-team charm. Atlassian, on the other hand, is best known for tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence, words that don’t exactly scream “fun.”
But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
Keep scrolling down
You might also like
5 things I've learned from working with linkedin marketing
There’s no shortage of advice about LinkedIn marketing. Post often, be personal, use visuals, don’t sound salesy. Most people already know the basics.
What I’ve learned from working with LinkedIn marketing from a UX, communication, and visual perspective is that posts rarely fail because the message is bad. They fail because they’re hard to consume in a fast-moving feed.
Here are five lessons that consistently make a difference.
Why your website feels cheap (even if it wasn’t)
Ever visited a website that should feel premium, but somehow doesn’t? The branding looks fine. The photos are professional. Someone has likely been paid a decent amount to create it.
And yet… it feels cheap.
This happens more often than you think. And no, it’s not about taste. It’s about execution. Here’s why your website might feel low-quality, even if a lot of money went into it.
Adobe buying Semrush: SEO future
When Adobe announced they're buying Semrush the entire marketing world raised an eyebrow. Adobe isn’t exactly known for SEO tools, so why spend almost two billion dollars on one?
The short answer to why Adobe is buying Semrush:
Search is changing faster than ever and Adobe doesn’t want to fall behind.
In this article, I’ll break down what this deal actually means, why it matters, and how it’s connected to the rise of AI-driven search.
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
Atlassian buying The browser company: Arc sold
When Atlassian in September 2025 announced they're buying The Browser Company, the team behind Arc, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise and fear. Arc was never a typical browser. It was loved for its clean design, creative energy, and small-team charm. Atlassian, on the other hand, is best known for tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence, words that don’t exactly scream “fun.”
But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
Explore my work
Web Design
Karlsson bil
Karlsson Bil is a car dealership based in Varberg, specializing in buying, selling, and restoring vehicles, including the exclusive Lignon Scandinavia line of handcrafted Land Rover Defenders. I worked on designing a website that blends the heritage of the classic Defender with a modern, sleek aesthetic. The focus was on creating a smooth, intuitive browsing experience, making it easy for users to explore the inventory, learn about bespoke restorations, and navigate the buying and selling process with confidence.
Tools used
Wix Studio & Custom code
Web Design & Branding
Carin Fredén
Carin Fredén is a Malmö-based photographer and photo editor specializing in high-quality business photography and visual branding. Her website showcases her work and services, helping businesses enhance their visual identity through images.
Tools used
Wix Studio, Figma & code
.png)
