1. High Quality Images & Videos
In today’s visually-driven world, high-quality images and videos are a must-have for any successful website. Use images and videos that complement your brand’s style and message.
Avoid using stock images as much as possible, and opt for custom photography or videos if your budget allows.
If you can’t afford custom photography at this stage of your business, invest in some stock photography that isn’t the same as everyone else… try Haute Stock or Creative Market or Etsy or a local photographer for curated images for your business.
2. Make a Human Connection
While we are on the subject of images and video, please don’t hid behind the camera! People buy from people – particularly as a small business or solo business owner. So make sure to include images of yourself, your clients or your team, so potential clients get a real sense of who they will be working with – I promise they are much more likely to contact a person than a faceless brand.
3. Clear and Intuitive Navigation
The navigation – or menu – on your site is the roadmap that guides visitors to the content they’re looking for. And if it’s not intuitive and easy to use, it can lead to frustration and a high bounce rate.
Think about your users first when designing it. For example, don’t make the text too small, make sure it is a colour that is legible on the background, ensure the pages are called what they actually are… it seems obvious, but it can be tempting to want to be “different”. This is a disservice to your visitors. Put the menu where they expect it to be (the top), call the pages what they are (Home, About, Services, Contact) and make sure it is consistent throughout your website, making it easy for visitors to move between pages without getting lost or confused.
When it comes to navigation, it’s important to keep it simple and straightforward, avoiding the temptation to get too clever or creative. At the end of the day, a great navigation menu is one that helps visitors find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
4. Include Social Proof
Testimonials, reviews, and ratings from previous clients or customers can be showcased on your homepage to provide evidence that you can in fact do what you say you can do. This shows that you are a trusted and reliable business, before they even make contact with you.
It’s important to make them visible and easy to find so that visitors can quickly scan them to see what people have said, and if this aligns with their values and desires.
Include a testimonial carousel, or sprinkle selected reviews throughout the homepage. This will encourage visitors to take action, such as making a purchase or an enquiry.
5. Clear Call to Action
A Call to Action (CTA). Essentially, a CTA is a button or link that prompts your website visitors to take a specific action. This could be anything from “Sign up now” to “Learn more” or “Buy now”. A good CTA should be eye-catching and compelling, encouraging users to take that action.
But why are CTAs so important for your homepage? Well, it’s all about guiding your visitors towards the next step in their journey on your website. Without clear and effective CTAs, your visitors may not know what action to take or may even leave your site altogether.
So, when it comes to creating your CTAs, be sure to make them stand out visually, use actionable language, and ensure they align with your overall goals for your website. Whether you want visitors to sign up for a newsletter or purchase a product, a well-placed and well-designed CTA can make all the difference!
6. A Killer Headline
When it comes to crafting a killer website, the headline is one of the most important elements to get right. A website headline is the first thing visitors see, so it needs to grab their attention and encourage them to stay on your site.
Think about what sets your business apart and who you want to attract. Use language that speaks directly to your audience and their needs, interests, and pain points. Also, consider including numbers or statistics in your headline to make it more compelling and attention-grabbing. Remember that your headline should be concise and easy to read, but also communicate the essence of your website in a way that entices visitors to explore further.
One way to ensure your headline is effective is to think about the benefit or value you offer to your audience. What problem are you solving? What unique perspective or solution do you bring to the table? Use this information to craft a headline that speaks directly to your audience and conveys your unique value proposition.
How do you know if you’ve got it right? Read your headline and ask yourself – could this apply to any generic website? If so, you need to get more specific about you and what you uniquely offer.
7. Get Mobile
With more and more people browsing on their phones these days, having a mobile-friendly homepage is absolutely crucial. So, what can you do to make sure your homepage looks great on any device? Start by simplifying your design and using a responsive layout that adjusts to different screen sizes. Test your site on multiple devices to make sure everything looks and functions smoothly. And don’t forget to keep your content concise and easily scannable, so visitors can quickly find what they’re looking for on the go. Trust me, your mobile visitors will thank you for it!
And a mobile responsive homepage doesn’t just mean resized for mobile. Actually think about the content – do you need to add/subtract or change the content specifically for someone on a phone? Could it be condensed? Add more links? Could you make the menu or CTA sticky for mobile so you don’t lose people?
8. Keep it Simple
You don’t need to put everything on the homepage! When it comes to designing a homepage, simplicity is key. You want to make sure that your visitors can quickly and easily find the information they need without feeling overwhelmed or lost in a sea of content. That’s what links and clever navigation are for!
By keeping your homepage simple and minimalistic, you not only make it easier for your visitors to navigate, but you also create a better user experience. A cluttered and confusing homepage can turn potential customers away, whereas a simple and clean design can draw them in and encourage them to stay.
Another advantage of a minimalist homepage is that it can help your website load faster. The more elements and content you have on your homepage, the longer it will take for it to load, and this can be a major turn-off for visitors. By keeping things simple, you can improve your website’s loading speed and keep your visitors happy.
So, take the time to carefully consider each element you include and strive for simplicity and clarity in your design.
9. Personality Plus!
What impression are you making on your homepage? Can someone accurately get a sense of your personality from the homepage? Or is it a generic template that does nothing to show potential customers who you are?
This is their introduction to you, and as we all know, first impressions count. And people buy from people.
By infusing your brand’s personality into your website, you can create a more engaging and memorable experience for your visitors. This can help to build brand loyalty and encourage repeat visits.
You can communicate your personality through images and video, the tone of voice you use in your copy, the colours of your brand as well as the overall style. Think about how you can incorporate these elements into your website’s design and content to stand out in a way that is memorable and true to you.
By doing so, you’ll be able to stand out from your competitors and create a strong brand identity online. But also importantly – your personality will attract people to you that have similar or complementary values. It helps to create a connection and build trust before they have even enquired.
So go ahead and let your brand personality shine!
10. Don't forget to give your homepage some love every once in a while!
Your homepage is not a set-and-forget type of thing. As your business evolves and grows, so should your website. Take some time every few months to review your homepage and make updates if necessary.
Add a recent project, latest testimonial, a new blog post or images from a photoshoot.
If you’ve recently launched a new product or service, or if you’ve won an award or achieved a milestone, make sure to showcase this on your homepage.
Keeping your website fresh and current shows that you are an active and engaged business.
Great job, you've made it to the end of our top tips for creating a killer homepage!
Remember, your homepage is like the front door to your website, so it’s important to make it as inviting and user-friendly as possible. By keeping it simple, including social proof, having a clear call to action, and optimizing for mobile, you’ll be on your way to creating a homepage that not only looks great but also drives conversions.
Don’t forget to regularly review your homepage and make updates if necessary to ensure that it still accurately reflects your brand personality and effectively communicates your message to visitors. And always keep in mind that your homepage should be designed with your target audience in mind.
We hope these tips have been helpful and that you’re now feeling confident and inspired to create a homepage that truly rocks. So go ahead and get creative, have fun with it, and remember that the possibilities are endless when it comes to designing a killer homepage!
