The homepage of your website is your first big chance with your customer. It’s where people who know nothing about you will usually land on your site, so you need to make a positive impression…and fast.
Getting attention is about a lot more than pretty colours and an eye-catching logo. Those things matter, of course, but your home page should both show off the best of your business while also making it as easy as possible for your visitors to find the information, product, or service that led them to your site in the first place. Remember, it pays to keep it simple with your home page and web design choices for your Calgary business.
Simple, Proven Tips to Improve Your Homepage
Think of your home page like the front entrance to your brick-and-mortar business. When a customer enters your business for the first time, you want them to find a well-organized, welcoming space that lets them feels confident you are going to be able to provide the service they want.
The terms and tactics may be different, but the same ideas hold true for your home page.
- Simplicity is key, because you have a short time to catch the attention of your website visitors. A good home page balances efficiency and appeal, with the main goal being helping site visitors complete their tasks
- Choice is important, but don’t be overwhelming with menu options. Consolidate service options under a few overarching topics to avoid overwhelming site visitors.
- Right away, people should be able to understand who you are and what you do. Don’t assume that people already know that information before they visit your site.
- Your home page design should be built with your target audience in mind. Aim for a specific professional audience, and make sure to speak directly to them.
- Your home page is also a hub for your online properties, so be sure to include blog and social media information. A simple “like” or “follow” button gets the job done, while also using minimal space.
- Contact information should be prominent, visible, and easy to find. Don’t put any roadblocks between a potential customer and your business.
What Site Visitors Want: How to Build a Home Page with Your Audience in Mind
There’s room for creativity with your home page, but the guiding goal should always be to provide your customers with what they want. We’ve got some great resources that lay out exactly how it works.
- Start with a clear, simple headline that tells visitors exactly who you are.
- Use images and descriptive subheadings to tell visitors more about your business.
- Think about the challenge most likely to lead customers to your business, and touch on your solution in each subheading.
- When choosing images, avoid the ordinary. Look for an image that shows what you value, and what you have to offer.
- Navigation is everything! The user experience experts at Nielsen-Norman Group suggest including easy navigation options that help visitors complete the four most likely tasks that would lead them to your website.
- Don’t forget to include a call to action (CTA) or two. CTAs encourage visitors to take the next step in connecting with your business, whether that’s contacting you directly or making a purchase online.
- Include examples of your website content on your home page, and make it easy for people to revisit home page topics. Integrating valuable blog posts is a great way to accomplish these goals.
- Most of all, site visitors want utility. Be sure to include an easy-to-find search box, so visitors can easily learn more about topics of interest.
- Users want to be able to access your website from their favourite mobile devices, and responsive web design is the most efficient way to make that possible.
- Have some testimonials, positive reviews, or glowing social media comments about your business? Including them on your homepage (with permission, if needed) is a simple way to build trust with your audience.
Building a Good Home Page Means Attention to Detail
I recommend focusing on organization, navigation, and clean, simple design in order to make a positive impression in the all-important window of time after a visitor first lands on your site. Get those elements right, and you’ll have a much easier time converting those visitors into repeat customers.
Your home page is just the start of web design for your Calgary business. Learn more about how Emphasize Design can help you attract more visitors, convert more leads, and close more deals online. Get started with a free website design quote, today!
