Website homepages come in all types of design. For small businesses looking for professional website design in Auckland that delivers for their business, there are some essential elements that should be included on your homepage.
This is because your homepage must do multiple things. As a result, it is a unique page on your website. After all, other pages will have a specific focus:
- Your product or services pages will talk about your products or services
- Your about page will explain more about your business
- Your contact page has your contact details
Your homepage, however, has to do some/all of these things and more.
It needs to introduce your business, demonstrate your capabilities, and show that others are happy with the products/services you offer, among other things.
9 Essential Elements for Website Homepages
1. Headings
You should have an attention-grabbing and informative main headline on your homepage. With the main headline, get to the point and use clear and simple language.
You should also have a sub-heading that contains more information. It should ideally focus on the pain points of your customers, not on your business.
2. Calls to Action
You should have a primary call to action high up on the homepage in a visible position.
Previous advice was to put this above the fold. However, this only applies to those people visiting your website on a computer as all your mobile visitors will still need to scroll before they get to the call to action.
As more and more people are now using mobile devices when searching for products or services, having calls to action above the fold is less important.
That said, the primary call to action on your homepage should still be in a prominent position and it should stand out.
You should then have secondary calls-to-action in addition to this.
3. Use Strong images, Including the Main Image
Don’t use simple or cheesy stock images on your homepage. Instead, use your own images or stock images that get attention and that showcase your brand.
4. Benefits of Your Business, Products, and/or Services
Don’t just tell people about your business. Focus on benefits to the customer instead.
5. Well-Written Text
There is a misconception that homepages should be practically free from text to make them look clean and modern. Text is important, however, both for user experience and for search engine optimisation.
Not only that, you can still add text that keeps the homepage clean-looking. Rather than making your homepage text-free, the text should be easy to read with straightforward language.
6. White Space
You don’t need to fill every part of your homepage as whitespace can actually improve its appearance and usability.
7. Social proof
Make sure you include testimonials from real customers talking about positive experiences they have had with your business.
8. Easy to Use Menu and Navigation
This is essential to make it easy for visitors to find the information they need.
9. Newsletter Signup Form
Not everyone who visits your website will become a customer. Therefore, you should try to get as much as possible from every visitor, rather than just letting them leave.
Often the best approach to achieve this is to ask visitors to sign up to your email list to receive your newsletter by adding a form on your homepage.
A better way, though, is to offer something free in return for the visitor signing up. A report or an eBook are good examples.
By including all these elements, you will enhance your homepage and improve your website’s overall ROI.
