Ah, the homepage. The most important, and therefore most terrifying page when it comes to website design. There’s a LOT of pressure when it comes to creating your homepage, and to be honest, it’s correctly placed. Your home page truly is SO important, and it deserves your time and attention. After all, 75% of consumers make judgements on a company’s credibility based on their website design.
As the first impression for most everyone coming to your website, we want your homepage to show the best parts of you and your business, with Elle Woods-like confidence. So let’s take a look at your website, make sure you have all of these must-have sections, and let’s make your business the best it can be!
That’s why I’m rallying up all my homepage must haves so you can have them all together, wrapped in a perfect little bow. Use this simple guide to create the homepage of your dreams and, more importantly, a homepage that sells. Or, use this as a checklist to make sure your homepage hits these points. Without further adieu, here are 6 must haves your website homepage needs:
1. A Clear Statement of What You Do
This is SUPER important. Make sure that the moment someone falls on your website, they understand what your company does. This will instantly communicate to your ideal client that they are in the right place. Have a benefit-driven headline on your homepage, placed above the fold (meaning, visible on the page without having to scroll). Bonus points if you can communicate the specific problem you solve for your customers.
2. A Direct Call to Action
Tell your viewer exactly what you want them to do next. Typically, this is to contact you or shop your products. While some visitors might not be ready to take that action, having a call to action button above the fold will help streamline the process for those clients who are ready to move forward.
3. Connection
Another section of the homepage must haves is a connection point (or multiple!). This is probably the piece that most business owners skip over. It’s just too easy and exciting to talk about your business, how you got started, what you offer, and how you can help that you forget the most important part – connecting with the person on the other side of the screen.
As Donald Miller puts it, “Make your customer the hero.” Let them know that you see them, that you understand the struggle they’re facing right now and that you have the tools and expertise to help them. People are unique, and customers often get skeptical that a solution will work for them. “That wouldn’t work for me because…” “I work from home”, “I don’t have time”, “I’m not an extrovert”, “I don’t have the money”, or any other excuse. One of the biggest questions running through your customers mind is “But can you do that for me?”
To combat that hesitation, look for ways to connect with your reader to tell them – Yes, I CAN do this for you.
4. Your Offerings
Help your customer understand how they can work with you by briefly outlining your service offerings. This could be showcasing specific packages, or categories of services you provide. For example, if you’re an Interior Designer, this might be New Construction Design, Remodel Design, and E-Design. For a Wedding Planner this could be Full Event Design, Reception Design, and Destination Weddings. A fun way to display these are with photos or icons.
5. Social Proof
Social proof is a definite must-have for your website homepage. It’s the concept that people will follow what other people do. Think of it like this: You’re with a group of friends and you’re deciding between 3 different restaurants. One of your friends chimes in and says “Oh let’s go to X Restaurant – my husband and I ate there once and it’s so good!” That’s the one you end up going to, right? And then even when you’re at the restaurant, you take a look at the menu for a few minutes and ask the person next to you, “So what are you getting?” Am I right?
Recommendations from others influences our decision making in a big way. Therefore, having testimonials, reviews, endorsements, companies you’ve worked with, etc, can really help drive viewers to purchase.
6. An Introduction
More than ever, consumers want to know the face behind the brand. This will help your ideal client feel connected to you and your business, thus increasing customer loyalty. According to Sprout Social, When customers feel connected to brands, more than half of consumers (57%) will increase their spending with that brand and 76% will buy from them over a competitor*. Isn’t that wild?
If there’s not a single person as the face of your brand, share a little bit about the company’s beginnings. Share how you got started, where you’re located, or the culture of the company. Either way, showing faces of real people will help viewers connect.
Take a look at your website – do you have all 6 of these homepage must haves? If you’re missing any, I’d encourage you to add them this week! Having each of these sections on your homepage will help it flow smoother, and help convert your wonderful viewers.
Have questions? Shoot me an email!
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