Whether you’re a small business just getting started with your first website or a larger company looking to refresh your online presence, it’s important to make sure that your homepage has all the key elements it needs to be successful. Below are of the eight most important elements of your website homepage.
1) A Strong Headline
Your website’s headline is one of the first things that visitors will see, so it’s important to make a good impression. A strong headline should be reflective of the website’s overall purpose and speak to your target audience. It should also be clear and concise, without being overly lengthy or difficult to understand.
For website homepage headlines in particular, it’s also important to include a keyword or phrase that accurately reflects the page’s content. This will help to improve your website’s search engine ranking and ensure that people using Google to find a business like yours, land on your website. In addition, it’s important that you include a call to action button beneath your headline that directs visitors to where you want them to go which might be your services page or product page.
2) A Navigation Menu
A navigation menu that is easy to understand and use. Visitors should be able to find their way around your website with ease, and a well-designed navigation menu will help them do that. It should also be located in an obvious place on your website which is usually the very top of the page in a font and colour that stands out. Also, make sure that you include all the relevant pages such as an About page, a Services or Products page, a Blog page and a Contact page.
3) Your Social Media Icons
Social media icons are a great way to connect with your website visitors and promote your social media accounts. By including social media buttons on your website or blog, you make it easy for people to follow you on their favorite platforms. Plus, social media icons can be a great branding tool – by using the same colors and style as your website, you can create a cohesive look that will reinforce your brand. Just make sure that they are displayed prominently on your website so that your website visitors can easily find them and follow you.
4) A Newsletter Sign-Up Form
A newsletter sign-up form is a great way to stay in touch with your website visitors. By adding a form to your website or blog, you can collect email addresses and send out updates on a regular basis. This is a great way to build relationships with your readers and keep them coming back for more. It increases that “know, like, trust” factor. You can include your newsletter sign-up form anywhere on your homepage such as in the middle of the page, in the footer or in a sidebar. In addition, it’s a good idea to offer kind of enticing freebie to encourage visitors to sign up.
5) Your Brand Identity and Personality
While it’s important to have a professional website, it’s equally important to make sure that your website reflects your brand identity and personality. Your clients and prospects want to know the person (or people) who work behind the scenes. So, if you’re a dog lover, feel free to include that when introducing yourself. Or, include something about your brand values. Every element of your website, from the colors and fonts you use to the overall layout, should be carefully considered to ensure that it conveys the right message about your brand while still being personable.
6) Links to Your Most Important Pages
Having links to your most important pages on your website’s homepage can be extremely beneficial for both your website’s visitors and search engines. Visitors will be able to quickly and easily access the pages they’re looking for, while search engines will be able to crawl and index your website more effectively.
When linking to your most important pages from your homepage, be sure to use descriptive anchor text that accurately reflects the page’s content. This will help visitors understand what they’ll find on the page but, try to keep the number of links on your homepage to a minimum so as not to overwhelm visitors. A few well-placed links will do the trick.
7) Compelling Images or Videos
People are visual creatures, so make sure your homepage includes visuals that grab their attention and help tell your story. Images and videos can be a powerful way to communicate a message and showcase your brand. The right image or video can make a big impression and leave website visitors eager to explore more.
8) Social Proof
By featuring positive reviews from past customers on your website or homepage, you can show potential customers that you’re a trustworthy business that’s worth doing business with. And, your website visitors are more likely to continue exploring your website and opt-in to your newsletter or book a discovery call so that you can continue the conversation with them.
The homepage of your website is your opportunity to make a great first impression. So, if you focus on these eight key elements, you’ll be well on your way to creating an effective and engaging homepage that will draw in more visitors and help convert them into customers. And if you need help putting all of this into practice, don’t hesitate to reach out for a discovery call. I’d love to chat with you about your website design needs and see how I can help!