So, you’re ready to create a new website for your business. But where do you begin? Your home page.
Your home page is typically the first place people will land on when visiting your site. So it makes sense that this page should be the best it can be.
In fact, you only have a short time to make an impression on your website visitors – about 2-3 seconds! But don’t fret, I’ve compiled 5 must haves for your home page.
A Mission Statement
When a person first lands on your website they need to know they’re in the right place. Let them know this with a clear, concise statement letting visitors know who you are, what you do, and for who. Essentially, it tells them whether it is worth hanging around on your site.
Let’s take a look at my home page…
Launch Your New Brand and Website
In Days – Not Weeks
Semi-Custom Brand and Web Design
For Small Business Owners Who Want to Elevate Their Business
If you’re struggling to come up with an idea, use this as a starting point…
I/WE DO [WHAT YOU DO]
TO HELP [YOUR CLIENTS]
ACHIEVE [WHAT THEY GET].
Once you’ve got the perfect mission statement, you want this message to be front and center when a person arrives on your website.
Opt-In
Most website visitors won’t be ready to purchase or work with you immediately. It takes some warming up to make the leap from visitor to client. At this point in the customer journey you want to earn their trust. And how do you do that? By providing (free) value. Having an email list and continuously providing valuable content helps with this transition. Create a freebie or offer in exchange for their email address. Make sure to have your freebie on brand and provide valuable content if you want to truly start building that relationship.
Stuck for ideas for a freebie? It could be a PDF checklist, email series, or a video tutorial.
On Brand, Professional-looking Photography
The images on your home page (and entire website) can make a big difference in the way your business is perceived. On-brand and professional-looking photos can elevate your website’s design and enhance professionalism. On the other hand, blurry or pixelated photos can have the opposite effect.
Also, people like to work with people, not a faceless business. Your website visitors want to see photos of you to know that you are a real person! This will allow your visitors to put trust in you and your work,
Don’t worry if you can’t have a professional photoshoot right away. There are so many great websites for both free and purchased stock photography. I love using images from Ivory Mix, Haute Stock, and Styled Stock Society. Professional-looking photos can showcase the value of the products and services you offer.
Testimonials and Social Proof
Reviews are such an important part of the purchasing process for many people. And when reviews are missing, it makes people wonder whether it’s a reliable product or service. Client testimonials are so important when it comes to building trust with your website. If you can add a picture and a name to your testimonials then even better. I’d recommend adding testimonials to the important pages of your website such as your homepage, your services page and even your contact page. People are much more likely to see it than if you had a page dedicated to testimonials on your website.
Top tip: Having a page dedicated to this is great and all, but my best tip is to sprinkle your social proof across your home page – and the rest of your website for that matter.
A Call to Action
Don’t leave your website visitors hanging on your Home page. Make sure you direct your readers to take action. Guide them where you want them to go using a Call to Action (CTA). Make it so easy to see they can’t miss it. A short phrase on a bold button which states exactly the next step to continue their journey.
Stuck for ideas?
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How do you feel about your homepage? Have you utilized these must haves for your home page?
