6 Elements Of A Good Homepage
You only have ONE chance to make a good first impression. That’s why your small business website must immediately grab the attention of your visitors and pull them in. The fact of the matter is, when it comes to browsing the Internet, people tend to have very short attention spans. They’re looking for answers and information and the expectation is, they’re going to find it quickly.
Does your homepage provide fast answers or does it leave visitors feeling lost or confused? In this blog post, we’ll share six elements of a good homepage. Apply these to your site and you’re bound to see improvements in page traffic and bounce rates!
Element #1: A Clear & Compelling Value Proposition
A value proposition is “a positioning statement that explains what benefit you provide for who and how you do it uniquely well. It describes your target buyer, the problem you solve, and why you’re distinctly better than the alternatives.” (Forbes)
Your homepage needs to quickly and concisely relay what your value proposition is to incoming visitors. If people are left feeling any doubt as to what your business does or how you can help them, they’re going to move right on along to someone else.
Element #2: Contact Information
If someone likes what they see on your homepage, don’t make them go searching for your contact information. Visitors should be able to quickly and easily reach out to you if they so choose. Your business address (if you have a physical location), phone number, and/or email can neatly be placed within the footer of your homepage so it’s not obtrusive yet easy enough to find if needed.
Element #3: Inspiring Photography
One of our biggest pet peeves is seeing low resolution imagery being featured on a homepage (or on any area of a website, for that matter). Original, high-quality photography that showcases what your brand is all about is absolutely the way to go! Do not skimp out. The visuals on your site will captivate your visitors well before the text ever will. If you don’t have beautiful photos to work with, consider investing in a branding photo shoot in 2019!
Check out photos from the branding shoot we did this past summer!
Photo By Audra Nicole Photography
Element #4: Easy-To-Use Navigation
Don’t frustrate your visitors with clunky navigation! Remember, people tend to have short attention spans when browsing online. Allow your visitors to quickly and easily access the information they came looking for. Your navigation should be kept as short and sweet as possible, highlighting the most popular areas of your site. If you utilize sub-menus, they should be organized, intuitive, and easy to explore.
Element #5: A Link To Your Blog
Your business blog should serve as a powerful resource. It’s a place for you to share knowledge and unique insights about your industry. So don’t bury this treasure in the depths of your website! Provide visitors with fast access to your blog by including a prominent link to it on your homepage.
Need some help starting a new business blog? Check out these three blog posts:
Element #6: A Call-To-Action (CTA)
Visitors to your website should have a clear understanding of what action(s) you’d like them to take. Remember, your website (and especially, your homepage), is working for you around the clock. It can collect great new leads if you give it the tools to do so. Incorporating a call-to-action such as “Subscribe To Our Blog” or “Book A Free Consult” will allow interested visitors to take the next step toward doing business with you.
For more on incorporating CTAs on your website, read our blog post, 4 Easy Ways To Capture Leads On Your Website.
Drawing website visitors deeper into your brand starts with an awesome homepage. We’d love to help transform your website into a beautiful and inspiring place that people keep coming back to. Book a free 15-minute consultation with us today!