What should you put on the homepage of a website?
@themarketingshack start creating your website. header and footer templates. what should be included? #websites #smallbusinessuk #digitalmarketingtips2023 #digitalmarketingconsultant ♬ Backsound Funny – Faid rafanda
@themarketingshack Website 101 The Home Page find out what information you should be putting on the home page of your website. #digitalmarketingtips2023 #digitalmarketingconsultant #smallbusinessuk #websites #startupbusinessownersuk #marketingresearch ♬ Cena Engraçada e Inusitada de 3 Minutos – HarmonicoHCO
Why Your Homepage Matters
Here at The Marketing Shack, I know that first impressions are everything. That’s why I’m here to spill the beans on the 7 secrets to a stunning homepage that’ll make visitors swoon and keep them coming back for more.
I get it, web design can be as dry as a cracker without any toppings. But trust me, your homepage matters more than you think. It’s like the window of your online business; people peer through it to see what goods and services you offer. So sit tight and get ready to learn how to spruce up your virtual entrance with some serious pzazz.
Clear Navigation:
Make It Easy to Explore.
Web design is like a maze. And as the designer, you hold the key to guiding users through it. Imagine yourself as a tour guide and your website as an exotic location that your visitors want to explore. You want to make sure they don’t get lost or frustrated along the way. So, clear navigation makes exploring your website a breeze.
Your home page should be like a map of the entire site. It should give users an idea of what they can expect from your website and where they can find what they’re looking for. Don’t make them guess or waste time trying to figure out where everything is located! Instead, use simple and intuitive labels for your navigation menu items that are easy to understand at first glance.
When designing your header remember that less is more! A bold background colour, your logo and the menu should do nicely.
Compelling Visuals:
Engage with Eye-catching Design
When it comes to web design, there’s no denying the power of compelling visuals. After all, who doesn’t love a good meme or cat video? But don’t let your homepage become a digital version of You’ve Been Framed. Instead, aim for an eye-catching and professional design that will capture your audience’s attention.
One key element of effective visuals is choosing the right colours to fit your brand. Choose colours that complement your brand and evoke the emotions you want to convey. Consider using bold accents or contrasting shades to make important elements stand out. And if you’re feeling really daring, throw in some unexpected pops of colour for added interest.
Another important aspect is typography. Use fonts that are easy to read and reflect your brand personality. Mix it up with different sizes and styles to create hierarchy and visual interest.
Strong Headline:
Hook Visitors with a Captivating Title
Your website home page is like the front door of your house. If it’s not inviting, people will just keep on walking past without even bothering to come in and say hello. And we all know how awkward it is when nobody turns up to your party.
So, what’s the key to getting people through that virtual threshold? A strong headline that grabs their attention and makes them want to stick around. It’s like a pick-up line for your website – you need something witty, charming or downright hilarious that makes them think “this place seems cool, I’d better take my shoes off and stay a while.”
Without a good headline, visitors are likely to quickly lose interest and click away faster than you can say “404 Error”.
Relevant Content:
Offer Value with Targeted Messaging.
Are you tired of visiting website after website, only to find generic content that could be applied to any company in your industry? Well, your home page is where you can truly shine and show potential customers why you’re different from your competitors. Let’s face it, there are a lot of other companies within any industry and you need to let people know why they should choose YOU!
Your home page shouldn’t make people work for the information they need; put it front and centre. And while we’re on the subject of information, don’t just list off services like a robot. Tell people how your expertise will benefit them specifically. Why are you great at landscaping? What skills do you have as a beautician that will make them beautiful? Let customers know that they’re in safe hands with your company and that you have the expertise of the services you offer.
Social Proof:
Build Trust with Testimonials and Reviews
Your web design might be top-notch, but if your website’s home page is devoid of social proof, you’re missing out on a golden opportunity to build trust with potential customers. Think about it – would you buy from a business with zero testimonials or reviews? Probably not, and neither would anyone else.
To avoid this unfortunate fate and potentially tanking your business, consider featuring customer testimonials prominently on your home page. These glowing recommendations will help convince sceptical visitors that your products and services are worth their hard-earned cash. Plus, who doesn’t love a little ego boost? Your satisfied customers will feel like rock stars when they see their names in lights (or at least in bold text).
But don’t stop there! Link to trusted review sites like Trustpilot where people can read even more reviews from happy customers. I’m not saying you’re untrustworthy but anyone can write a made-up review on a home page. Linking to a review site will provide further trust. It doesn’t need to be a paid one. Using Google My Businesses Google Reviews will provide further trust to your customers.
Call-to-Action:
Guide Visitors to Take Action
Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen those bland “Buy Now” or “Sign Up” buttons that make you want to take a nap instead of taking action. So why not spice things up a bit? Instead of using generic phrases, try incorporating your brand’s personality into the language. For example, if you run a coffee shop website, use “Brew Me Up!” for your call-to-action button instead of the tired old “Order Now.”
Footer:
Further information.
Firstly don’t forget to include your logo in your footer. After all, it’s the quickest way for visitors to identify your brand. And speaking of identification, make sure you include your contact details as well. You know, so people can actually get in touch with you and give you all their money.
Now let’s talk about links. Yes, they’re important enough to deserve their own mention. Make sure you include links to all the important pages on your site: About Us, Services, Portfolio…you name it! But don’t stop there! Go ahead and throw in some external links too! Your mom’s blog? Sure! Your favourite cat video? Why not? But more importantly, your social media profile links. You need to let people know you’re sociable too.
Finally, it’s also a great place to show off any accolades you may have earned along the way. So go ahead and brag a little! Did you win some awards for your amazing customer service skills? Did you win the most hygienic restaurant of the year? Put them in the footer! Maybe you’ve been featured in some prestigious publications? Stick those logos down there too!
Conclusion:
Create a Homepage That Stands Out
In conclusion, creating a stunning homepage doesn’t have to be rocket science. By incorporating navigation, compelling visuals, a strong tagline, relevant content, social proof, a clear call-to-action and a well-designed footer, you’re already halfway there. Just remember to keep it simple yet captivating enough to engage your visitors. And if all else fails, just add a cute dog picture – that always seems to do the trick! Now go forth and create the homepage of your dreams!