Ever wondered how some websites feel alive and interactive while others just… exist?
The secret often lies in the details—like overlays.
Overlays can transform your Framer websites from static to dynamic in just a few clicks.
They can be modals, dropdowns, or sleek hover effects, overlays add a layer of interactivity that keeps users engaged.
In this guide, I’ll dive deep into overlays, types, benefits, and how to create them in Framer.
And don’t worry—I’ll throw in some tricks and best practices along the way to ensure your overlays work like magic across all devices.
Let’s jump in!
What Are Overlays?
Overlays are additional layers of content that appear over your main design.
Think of them as pop-up surprises.
They can be small and subtle, like a tooltip, or large and attention-grabbing, like a modal.
Overlays are perfect for adding extra information, creating calls to action, or just delighting your users with a bit of flair.
Types of Overlays
Not all overlays in Framer are created equal.
They come in two main flavors: Relative and Fixed.
Relative Overlays
These overlays are tied to a specific element on your page and move with it.
Dropdowns
Dropdown menus are a classic example. They appear below a button or link when clicked.
Use case: Navigation menus, category selectors.
Popovers
Popovers provide extra information or actions near an element.
Use case: Tooltips, product details on hover.
Fixed Overlays
Fixed overlays are independent of specific elements and stay put, no matter where you scroll.
Modals
Modals are large overlays that grab the user’s attention for forms, confirmations, or promotions.
Use case: Newsletter sign-ups, alerts.
Toasts
Toasts are small, non-intrusive messages that usually fade in and out.
Use case: Notifications, error messages.
Videos
Want to showcase a video without cluttering your design? A fixed video overlay is your best friend.
Use case: Product demos, tutorials.
Benefits of Using Overlays In Your Website
Overlays do more than just look cool—they provide significant functional and aesthetic benefits for your Framer websites
Let’s break down the advantages in detail to help you understand why overlays are an essential tool in modern web design.
1. Improved User Engagement
Overlays are attention magnets.
They naturally draw the user’s focus to a specific area of your site, whether it’s a promotion, a notification, or additional information.
By creating a moment of interaction, overlays keep users engaged and encourage them to explore further.
For example:
A modal with a newsletter sign-up form grabs the visitor’s attention without them having to navigate away from the page.
A tooltip overlay provides helpful hints, subtly encouraging users to interact with features they might otherwise miss.
This added layer of interactivity helps create a connection between your website and its users.
2. Efficient Use of Space
Web design is all about balance.
Too much information on a page can overwhelm users, while too little can leave them searching.
Overlays allow you to provide more content without cluttering your primary design.
Instead of overloading a page with text or elements, overlays let you:
Add detailed explanations, FAQs, or extra options only when needed.
Display relevant content dynamically, such as dropdown menus or product specs.
Introduce time-sensitive messages like limited offers or announcements without redesigning your layout.
This efficient use of space is perfect for maintaining a clean, modern look while still delivering value to your users.
3. Enhanced Interactivity
Overlays are a great way to add interactivity without relying on full-page transitions or new tabs.
Users stay on the same page and can interact with additional layers of content seamlessly.
Interactive overlays can include:
Clickable menus.
Forms that open in modals.
Popovers that provide instant feedback or suggestions.
This interactivity boosts the overall user experience, making your site feel intuitive and polished.
4. Better User Flow
When designed well, overlays guide users through your site’s journey.
Imagine a first-time visitor landing on your website. A strategically placed overlay can nudge them towards completing an action:
A welcome modal offering a discount encourages users to start shopping.
Guided tooltips can walk them through complex interfaces, helping them find value faster.
Overlays keep users focused, ensuring they stay engaged without unnecessary distractions.
How to Make an Overlay in Framer
Now that you’re sold on overlays, let’s create one.
Framer makes it surprisingly easy!
Step 1: Select Any Element
Start by selecting the element you want to turn into an overlay. This could be a button, card, or even an image.
Step 2: Press “Overlay”
Click on the Overlay option in Framer’s properties panel.
Step 3: Choose Relative or Fixed
Decide if your overlay should be relative to a specific element or fixed to the screen.
Step 4: Add Your Design
Whether you're creating a newsletter popup, a dropdown, or anything for that matter, this is where you design it.
Step 4: Play Around with the Options
Here’s where the fun begins. Framer offers a ton of customization options.
Relative overlays are linked to a specific parent element. Here’s how you can fine-tune their behavior:
Show on Hover/Click: Decide when the overlay appears—use hover interactions for desktop and click actions for mobile devices.
Position: Place the overlay relative to its parent element, such as above, below, or beside it.
Alignment: Align the overlay to the left, center, or right edge of the parent element.
Offset: Fine-tune the overlay’s distance from its parent for precise positioning.
Dismiss via Click or Auto: Allow users to close the overlay manually with a click or let it disappear automatically after a set duration.
Collision Handling: Prevent the overlay from being clipped or overflowing beyond the screen’s edges.
If you chose a fixed overlay, these are the options:
Show on Hover/Click: As with relative overlays, you can choose hover or click interactions to trigger the overlay.
Preset: Select the overlay’s initial appearance, such as a centered modal or a slide-in notification.
Fill: Set the background color or opacity to ensure the overlay stands out against the rest of the page.
Dismissible: Decide whether users can close the overlay manually or if it remains persistent.
Enter/Exit Animations: Add smooth animations for how the overlay appears and disappears, along with timing preferences for delays.
Z-Index: Adjust the stacking order of the overlay relative to other elements. A higher value ensures it sits on top. Think of it as setting the "layer priority."
Page Scroll: Enable or disable scrolling on the underlying page while the overlay is active.
Pro Tip: Handling Hover vs. Click on Mobile
Overlays set to appear on hover won’t work on phones. Here’s the fix:
Add two overlays to the same element—one for hover and one for click.
Hide the hover version on mobile and the click version on desktop.
Boom! Now your overlays work seamlessly across all devices.
Best Practices for Overlays
Keep It Simple
Avoid overwhelming users with too many overlays.
Responsive Design
Test overlays on both desktop and mobile.
Use Animations
Subtle transitions can make overlays feel more polished.
Accessibility Matters
Ensure overlays are keyboard and screen-reader friendly.
Test Dismiss Options
Make it easy for users to close overlays, or they’ll rage-click their way out of your site.
Conclusion
Overlays are a small detail with big impact.
Whether you’re designing dropdowns, modals, or notifications, they can elevate your Framer websites and improve the user experience.
With just a few clicks, you can create overlays that are both functional and beautiful.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use animations with overlays in Framer?
Absolutely! Framer lets you add animations like fade-ins and slides to make overlays feel smooth and professional.
Q2: Are overlays mobile-friendly in Framer?
Yes, but you’ll need to tweak hover interactions for mobile. Use the hover-and-click trick mentioned above.
Q3: Can overlays be nested in Framer?
Yes, you can nest overlays for complex designs. Just be mindful of usability and performance.
Q4: What are common mistakes with overlays?
Overloading pages with too many overlays or making them hard to dismiss. Always prioritize user experience.
Q5: Do overlays affect SEO?
Overlays themselves don’t directly impact SEO, but poorly designed ones can hurt user engagement, which affects rankings.
