The homepage is the most important page on your website. The homepage should tell your customer who you are, what you stand for, and how you can help them solve their problems in just a few seconds. Since it is the first impression visitors will have of your brand, it plays a critical role in determining whether they will stay on your site or leave.
It should be visually appealing, consistent with your branding, and easy to navigate. It should encourage visitors to act, such as signing up for a newsletter, browsing your offerings, booking services, or purchasing products.
1. Capture the Attention
A homepage typically starts with a hero section. This section should be eye-catching and engaging to capture attention and encourage visitors to explore the rest of the site. The hero section can showcase the site’s main features, promote a product or service, or tell a compelling story. The hero section is the first thing that visitors see, so it’s important to make a good impression. A well-designed hero section can help to establish the site’s brand and tone, and it can also give visitors a sense of the site’s overall purpose. The hero section should have clear calls to action, using links or buttons. The hero section can also be used to create a sense of urgency, such as by offering a limited-time promotion or by highlighting a breaking news story. This can help to encourage visitors to take action.
Static Hero
Static hero images offer a straightforward and effective way to create a captivating and informative homepage experience while contributing to improved website performance, SEO, and overall user engagement. Choose a high-quality hero image, that captures your products or services. Don’t use generic background images, which are not related to your website.
Slideshow
A slideshow can be a great way to highlight multiple products or services on a homepage. This can be particularly useful for businesses with a wide range of offerings, as it can give visitors a quick overview of everything the company has to offer. Slideshows are visually appealing and can quickly capture the attention of visitors.
Use a WordPress plugin like Smartslider, or Slider Revolution to create a slideshow.
Video
Videos are more likely to capture attention than static images or text. The movement, sound, and visual storytelling of videos can immediately draw visitors in and make them want to learn more. For example, if you’re a travel website, a hero video could showcase stunning destinations, exciting activities, and the overall ambiance of travel. Videos can be more engaging than static content, especially for today’s audience that is accustomed to consuming video content. Engaging visitors can lead to increased time spent on the site, higher conversion rates, and a more positive overall impression of the brand.
You can embed videos from video streaming platforms on your website, such as YouTube or Vimeo. You can also upload your videos to the Media Library or a CDN. Use and produce your videos, don’t copy other people’s videos from the internet unless you have permission from the author to do so.
Forms
Including booking/search forms in your website’s hero homepage can be a strategic move that enhances user engagement, improves the navigation of your website, and drives direct bookings or reservations.
2. Below the Hero
Products/Services Categories
Showcasing a variety of product categories gives visitors a quick overview of what your store has to offer. Product categories also provide visitors with an easy way to navigate to the specific product categories they are interested in. This can help them find what they are looking for more quickly and easily, improving the user experience.
Banners
Placing banners below the hero on a website can be an effective way to promote specific products, services, or promotions. You can also place a secondary call to action on the banners.
Featured Products/ Services
How it works
For more complex business models, a how it works section is a must on the homepage, to provide visitors with a clear and concise explanation of how your product, service, or platform operates. This can help users understand the value proposition and benefits of your offering, making it easier for them to decide whether it’s suitable for their needs.
Partners/ Clients
Associating your brand with reputable partners and clients can enhance your credibility and establish trust with potential customers. It demonstrates that your company is working with respected organizations and that your products or services are valued by industry leaders. Showcasing clients and partners can boost your company’s reputation, and increase sales.
Social Proof
Social proof can be used to increase conversions and sales by demonstrating that other people have already bought or used a product or service and have been happy with it. This can help to reduce perceived risk and make potential customers more likely to take action. Showcasing reviews, awards, or case studies can boost consumer trust.
Benefits
Summarizing company benefits on the homepage is a great way to quickly and easily communicate your company’s value proposition to potential customers. It allows visitors to immediately understand what your company has to offer and why they should choose you over your competitors.
News/ Posts
Regularly publishing news articles related to your industry establishes your company as a thought leader and a source of expertise. This increased brand awareness can lead to more customer engagement and a stronger reputation.
