How to Smoothly Scroll to Your Before & After Images on Mobile

Ah, before and after moments – they’re like tiny transformations that remind us of the magic of change. I recall a time, not too long ago, when we decided to renovate our living room. It’s funny how a coat of paint and a few new cushions can completely alter a space. Speaking of transformations, let’s dive into the world of digital changes with our beloved Shopify store. We’ve all been there – wanting to create that seamless scroll where tapping "BEFORE" or "AFTER" effortlessly takes us to the heart of our page on mobile. Well, Tim, today’s your lucky day because we’re rolling up our sleeves and diving right in. And, hey, we’ll make it as simple as pie!

Unveiling the Smooth Scroll Secret

Before we leap into code, let's chat about what smooth scrolling means – it’s like sliding down a gentle hill instead of plummeting off a cliff. You want your users to feel that gentle glide. So first, we need a plan. We’re going to create an event listener for when someone taps on your "BEFORE" or "AFTER" headings. Then, like a host ushering guests to their seats, we’ll guide them down to the image – gracefully and without fuss.

Step 1: Add IDs for Targeting

First, pop open your Shopify storefront code. We need to add some targets for our code to know where it's aiming. Add an id to your "BEFORE" and "AFTER" headings and also on your desired scroll-to location for smoother identification. Your HTML might look like this:

<div class="heading" id="before-heading">BEFORE</div>
<div class="heading" id="after-heading">AFTER</div>
<!-- Your container that holds the before/after images -->
<div class="image-section" id="image-target">
  <!-- Image nodes -->
</div>

Step 2: The JavaScript Craftsmanship

JavaScript is our paintbrush today, Tim. Here's how we add that magical touch:

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
  const beforeHeading = document.getElementById('before-heading')
  const afterHeading = document.getElementById('after-heading')
  const targetImageSection = document.getElementById('image-target')

  // Function to handle the smooth scroll to the image section
  const smoothScrollToSection = () => {
    targetImageSection.scrollIntoView({
      behavior: 'smooth', // This enables the soothing scroll effect
    })
  }

  // Add event listeners to both buttons
  if (beforeHeading) {
    beforeHeading.addEventListener('click', smoothScrollToSection)
  }

  if (afterHeading) {
    afterHeading.addEventListener('click', smoothScrollToSection)
  }
})

With this piece of JavaScript, when someone taps that heading, it sends them gently soaring to the image mountain like an experienced skier on untouched snow. Aren’t we the responsible hosts of this browsing party now?

Step 3: Style with Grace (Optional)

Now, our scrolling works beautifully. But just in case your code party isn’t happening yet, ensure the position attributes of surrounding elements aren’t conflicting. If your headings are sticky or fixed somehow, they might throw a wrench in the scrolling works. Tidy up your CSS, shine those shoes:

#image-target {
  scroll-margin-top: 20px; /* Adjust based on your headings' size */
}

This CSS tweak means when it pauses on the snow, our image section isn’t smushed at the top of the viewport – giving enough breathing space for aesthetics.

Step 4: Make it Mobile-Friendly

The final act is to double-check everything’s as smooth as your morning coffee on mobile devices. Since your JavaScript already checks for mobile screen sizes, a quick test on your phone or using the browser’s responsive design mode (F12 for most browsers) is all we need.

So, There We Are

Like a newly painted living room, your Shopify store now feels fresh. Click, and we gently glide into place. Everyone in the room nods, appreciating the mindful care you’ve poured into these digital walls. It’s little tweaks like these that transform a good experience into a great one.

So now, armed with these steps, we can confidently bring an analog sense of before-after satisfaction to the digital space. Whether renovating a room or refining a website, it’s these quiet, smooth transitions that remind us of the power of thoughtful design – and of course, how a little JavaScript magic can change the world.