Homepages are something you probably include in each and everyone of your web design projects.
They play a big part in first impressions, even if someone is finding your client through a blog post for the first time, so they’re important to get right.
However, I’ve found that homepages don’t always have enough thought put into them so today we’ll go over 5 ingredients to a perfect homepage design.
1. Focus on results
First, make sure there’s something near the top of the homepage that focuses on the results your client gets people.
It’s great if they offer copywriting services or call themselves a creative coach, but how do those services benefit their clients?
Including a text, image, or something else that focuses in on the real results your clients get people will catch the attention of their target audience right away.
2. A personal connection
Next, make sure any visitor of the website can feel a personal connection with your client.
This can be done through images, a quick bio, or even something more creative if you’d like, but it’s important that your client’s audience knows there’s a real person behind the website.
I know I kind of feel like something is missing if I don’t know anything about the person whose website I’m on, making me much less likely to buy a product or book a service. Help your clients out by including space for some type of connection on their homepage.
3. Who they help
Third, somewhere on the homepage there should be a way for people to identify who your clients help. Again, this can be done through a bit of text, an image, or something else you dream up, but it’s important that the people your clients want to work with know they’re in the right place as soon as possible.
You might even find that through the other 4 ingredients we talk about that this one is already included, but be sure you double-check before you call your homepage design complete.
4. How they help
Now we can finally talk about how your clients help the people they work with. While it’s important to focus on results and build a personal connection, you don’t want to leave people wondering what your client actually does.
You can accomplish this by mentioning some services, including a portfolio piece, or even showing off a specific testimonial. However you do it, make sure it’s easy for new visitors to realize what your client can offer them.
5. Provide a first step
And last, don’t leave your homepage design without a call-to-action.
It’s great if the website’s visitors know who’s talking to them, know the results they get, and understand the offerings, but to get those people moving throughout the website, include at least one strong call-to-action on the homepage. You can even have a couple spread throughout.
When choosing the call-to-action, remember that this could be someone’s first time on the website so it’s probably a little too soon to ask someone to book a service or buy a product. Instead, encourage new visitors to check out your client’s blog or learn more about them on the About page.
The five ingredients we talked about today will all come together to make a perfectly strategic homepage for your web design clients. They won’t have to worry about their visitors feeling lost, wondering what they even offer, or not having a next step.
To learn more about designing strategic websites, download my 10 step checklist to design a strategic and effective website for your clients.
