A homepage is the most important element of any website. Your homepage will either make or break the deal as viewers will decide within seconds if they want to continue exploring or leave your website. Good content on your homepage is crucial because that is the initial place search engine algorithms look for keywords to help your site be searched properly. Developing the perfect homepage seems like a scary thought, but it can actually be a very easy process if you follow a few simple steps and include these 7 crucial elements.
Check them out below:
1) Headline
A headline should immediately indicate what your website has to offer. Your headline should be eye catching, yet it should be clear and get straight to the point. Try using some action words to liven up your headline as you want to be sure to avoid a bland, boring headline that will turn viewers away.
2) Calls To Action
Your homepage should compel visitors towards a goal – whether it be to buy your product or delve deeper into your website. Your calls to action should be clear and point viewers towards that specific goal. This is a key step as calls to action will help transition a viewer to a customer.
3) Images or Videos
Most people are visual so you want to ensure that you draw your audience’s attention via an image or video. Avoid cheesy stock photos and use the images or videos to convey what you are offering. A good image will keep viewers on your site for a longer period of time thus increasing your chances of drawing their attention and funneling them towards your goal.
4) Benefits
You not only want to convey what you do, but also how it can benefit the audience. Use success indicators to show how you’ve benefited others and can potentially benefit future clients. You want your audience to know what you’re offering them and why they should be interested.
5) Social Proof
You want to show the human side behind your business via bios and photos of employees. You can link to LinkedIn and other social pages if clients are looking for more info, but a short bio on your business will help give you credibility and build trust. You want to ensure that you come across as lively and social rather than bland.
6) Content Offer
You should include a great content offer on your homepage in order to generate more leads and further compel the viewers. A content offer can help draw the audience’s attention and funnel them further into your website and towards your goal.
7) Features
You want to include some of your company’s key features that accompany the benefits. These features will allow viewers to understand both the benefits and how these benefits are generated. Benefits are pointless without features – users want to know not just how you benefit them but how you go about benefitting them.
Developing a homepage is a daunting task; however, if you include these simple elements and stay true to your style and company then the task becomes much easier. Overthinking is a common problem while designing a website and, truth be told, simplicity is key most of the time. Including these simple elements will help create a clear homepage that draws users’ attention and boosts SEO.
Nate Trimmer is a Co-Founder of Omnibeat. As a social media enthusiast with a background in organizational development and computer technology, he strives to help businesses understand and embrace social media.
Omnibeat is the digital marketing outsource solution for growth in Los Alamitos and the greater Long Beach area.
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