6 essential components of a great homepage
Wow your website visitors and win new business with these homepage tips
Every time a visitor lands on your website homepage, they’re sizing you up.
They’re forming an opinion about what you offer and how you can help them, and they’re deciding if they want to do business with you—all in a matter of seconds.
Not everyone who comes to your website will enter through the homepage, but it’s generally responsible for the majority of your website traffic. Is your homepage making the best first impression?
Without a strong homepage to hook people in, your website visitors may fail to find what they need, feel unimpressed by how you present your business, or both. What happens next? They click away, and visit your competitor instead.
Over more than 16 years in business, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients across numerous industries to build websites that work. And what we’ve discovered is this: while each client’s services and marketing goals are very different, the essential components of a great homepage are pretty consistent across the board.
Join us as we dive into the key elements your website’s homepage should have, and how to do it.
#1: Outstanding branding
First things first, your homepage needs to look like it belongs to your business! Remember, your website acts as your 24/7 storefront—so you have to reassure people they’re in the right place as soon as they arrive.
To do this, make sure your branding is recognizable and professional, and that it matches the branding you use on your other marketing materials.
#2: Click-worthy CTAs
Using the right calls to action (CTAs) on your homepage can have a huge impact on the number of leads and conversions you generate. Think about the most important thing you’d like your visitors to do on your homepage, and don’t be afraid to be direct!
Learn how to craft an engaging CTA, and see our favorite examples here:
Compel your customers to click! How to write an effective Call to Action
#3: Compelling copy
Our top advice? Get to the point, quickly! The content on your website’s homepage should clearly communicate what your website is about and who it’s for as soon as possible.
Once they feel confident you can help, you can take your customers on a journey down your homepage, explaining more about what you do and addressing their pain points. You don’t have to go into every detail (that’s what the rest of your website is for, after all) but you need to give visitors enough information for them to want to learn more.
#4: Inviting images
Sadly, not everyone will read every word of your carefully crafted homepage copy. This is where your supporting visuals come into play to keep visitors engaged.
Of course, the images or videos you use will depend on the nature of your business. What’s important to remember is that people connect to people. Showing people using your products or your team in action can create a magnet that builds an emotional connection, holding visitors on your homepage and enticing them to learn more.
If at all possible, use custom professional photography and avoid stock images. If you’re using graphics, be sure to choose a style that ties in with the look and tone of your brand.
#5: Social proof
Online reviews play a huge role in influencing buying decisions, acting as an important trust signal to potential leads. By featuring your happy customers prominently on your homepage, you can give visitors more confidence that what you offer will help them, too.
You could include a carousel of reviews, an impactful quote snippet, or a video testimonial. Other forms of social proof include “As seen in…” or “Featured on…” sections, certification badges, association memberships, and awards.
#6: Keep it friendly
User-friendly, that is! If this is the first time someone is visiting you online, they may know nothing about your business. Don’t put them off by using confusing navigation, overly complicated design details, or headache-inducing technical jargon.
Instead, you can create a good customer experience by using language that’s easy to understand, plus plenty of white space that guides visitors through the page and gives each piece of content room to breathe.
To conclude
By incorporating these components of a great homepage into your website design, you’ll present your business in the best possible light to those hoping to learn more about your services or products.
When you explain in a clear, captivating way how you can help, backed by straightforward navigation, supporting visuals, and social proof, your visitors will be compelled to learn more—and to (hopefully) convert into customers!
Need help with your website design?
If you’re looking for a wow-worthy website for your business, we’re here to help!
We have over 16 years of experience designing, developing, and creating original content for custom, fully responsive business websites that capture attention of your audience and convert visitors into customers.
Ready to get started?
More resources for you
10 signs your website needs an update
DIY, Template or Custom: Which type of business website should you choose?
Why a strong online presence is more important now than ever before
Back to all blogs
