Having Social Icons at Top or Bottom of Page?

I have a new web design and it is allowing to put social icons at the Top and Bottom of Page but I think I should choose one position only. What are your suggestions? Social Icons at Top or Bottom of Page? Which is better for visitors?

What sort of a website is it? A blog or business website?

I would suggest to add social icons at bottom of your webpages because it will not distract everyone views your web content.

I think it depends on how you feel about the social icons. If you need them to have the spotlight and be the first things that you want your visitor to see, they should be at the top.
Generally speaking and from my own observations if you place them at the bottom they become a bit of an afterthought as, I feel, the attention span of the viewer tends to decrease as the page scrolls down further and further.
Though as djsmiley said it might distract your users from your content but to be honest I think it would not be a problem if they are not very intrusive.
I tend to think that visitors don't really mind that much unless they are big and obtrusive, that's why I would opt for a discreet top-of-the-page option.

If it's a community forum then I'd place the social icons on the top because that's where most user control panels are located such as alerts, profile, inbox etc This area is frequent used by me and I'm assuming by many others, I'm more inclined to click if it's at the top.

Place them on top. I think its very rare for people to look scroll down to the bottom of the page unless they are forced too.

Sean101 said:

I have a new web design and it is allowing to put social icons at the Top and Bottom of Page but I think I should choose one position only. What are your suggestions? Social Icons at Top or Bottom of Page? Which is better for visitors?

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Social icons are typically located at the bottom of the page from the site. Sometimes not all visitors read the full content of the website as they just tend to scan the page. I prefer placing the icons at the top so that it can be easily noticed.

I suggest for you to put it social icons at the top of the page for more recognition. Out of 100 people that will view your posts, most of them won't even finish or reach the bottom of the page. This strategy would give you more exposure and will make sure your name as a designer would be noticed as well. The website would have a lot of viewers and therefore you'd be known as well!

I would personally locate them at the bottom of the webpage. Having them at the top creates a bit of visual clutter - consider that social icons are really promotions for other websites (even if they are for your own profiles on those websites). It looks a bit neater to have them at the bottom, I reckon. In any case, I think most visitors to the site would know to scroll down to find alternative means of contact or other social profiles.

I prefer them at the bottom as well. The reason I don't like them on top is that they distract visitors' attention from my menu pages. I like my header and menus clean and sleek. Ultimately, I think it's a matter of personal preference, and either way could work well for your site.

I would suggest put it at the bottom part of the website, not that it just looks cleaner but it makes the visitor to view the entire website as well.

komputerking said:

Place them on top. I think its very rare for people to look scroll down to the bottom of the page unless they are forced too.

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I agree with you but I will go with @BlueLeaf becuase I think my priority is content on my website than encouraging people visitors our pages on social networks.

BlueLeaf said:

I prefer them at the bottom as well. The reason I don't like them on top is that they distract visitors' attention from my menu pages. I like my header and menus clean and sleek. Ultimately, I think it's a matter of personal preference, and either way could work well for your site.

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Thanks for your advice.

I prefer them at the bottom, personally. I do find websites with them at the top - in most instances, the icons are smaller.
If they're at the bottom - the icons are larger.
It's just a matter of preference.