Exactly what should be on your homepage is a question we get asked often here at Sumy Designs. The homepage is the virtual front door to your business. It performs around the clock and is the voice of your success. The homepage is the who and the what of your business and it explains why your business provides value to your customers. Business-to-client relationships are built on trust; if you want potential clients to come in and take a look at around, then you need to reel them in with the right content. Getting your homepage to perform if easy if you include the crucial key elements.
Here are some key elements that should be on your homepage for maximum performance:
- Professional Design – People are visual creatures. The design of your website is your welcome mat and should be apropos to your target audience. Kittens and unicorns only appeal to a certain audience, so do some research and get a sharp design that outshines your competitors.
- Transparent Headings – You only have a few seconds to reel in the audience and answer the question “what is this website about?” Keep things to the pertinent and straightforward.
- Value and Credibility – Speak to your target audience and tell them why you meet their unique needs. Confirm that your business is right business for them, don’t be afraid to brag about yourself – write from your heart and to your audience – potential clients want to know why you are special.
- Effortless Navigation – Once your readers are hooked then they will want to dig deeper – don’t make it hard on them – clearly show your readers around. Keep it simple and avoid cutesy verbiage.
- Social Media links – If you have, and keep them updated, them link them. Social media marketing is a powerful tool.
- Supporting Images – Visual elements are often overlooked on the homepage, they add interest to your content and create atmosphere.
- Contact Information – Make sure your contact information is on the front page and easy to find.
Always remember, if you want a homepage to work for you, it needs to be the gateway that brings in new traffic, informs readers, and actively converts browsers into solid clients.
If you would like a personalized analysis of your homepage, contact us for a free evaluation.
Susan Sullivan
Susan lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area with her husband and children. She is an avid distance runner, environmentalist, part-time beekeeper, chicken farmer and amateur photographer.