Welcome Home | 5 Must-Have Elements for a Homepage that Invites and Converts
Making sure your homepage is set up with these 5 must-have elements is essential to invite and convert your audience. Whether or not you need to convert your visitor to join an email list or download your freebie, these tips will get your homepage up to par. Personally, I love the homepage options available in Squarespace because they're ready to go. Regardless of the platform, your homepage should capture the attention of visitors, provide them with useful information and invite them to stick around. While these 5 must-have homepage elements are no-brainers, they can be game-changers when implemented on your own website.
1. HIGH-DRAMA PHOTO HEADER
If you want visitors to spend more time on your website, using an attractive and interesting photograph can be very effective. To start with, we can take a look at how clothing companies use this strategy. They showcase how happy or satisfied people look while wearing their products. It's important to highlight the positive impact your product or service has on someone's life. You create a sense of joy and resolve and spark interest in what you have to offer.
2. COMPANY MISSION STATEMENT
In one sentence or phrase - what are you all about? What do you hope to help your clients achieve? Make it simple and memorable. Help them envision how your mission could apply to something that you anticipate they are looking to accomplish for their business.
3. BRIEF LIST OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
As a rule, keep your list short and sweet but let them know what you’re able to do for them. If you provide a variety of services, touch on each one. Appeal to real-life challenges that you know that your clients face. Secondly, write how your products or service helps address those challenges. Touch on goals that you know your clients may have. Finally, share how you help to make those goals more achievable for them.
4. PERSONAL TOUCH
Your story makes you relatable and approachable. As a matter of fact, it can significantly increase the chances that a prospective client will reach out to you for an inquiry. What are you passionate about? Why are you doing what you’re doing with your business? What brought you to this place in your career/journey? Your why may appeal to people and may draw them in to want to know more.
5. AN ALL-INCLUSIVE FOOTER
Take a cue from your favorite retailers and make the most of your website's footer section. I like to think of it like a toolbox. This is a great opportunity for you to leave a lasting impression on your visitors and offer them a lot of value. Some of the best footer designs I have seen include free downloads, links to useful blog posts, Instagram thumbnails, contact details, opening hours, giveaways, and newsletter sign-up options. By doing this, you can let your visitors know that you are serious about helping them and they will remember you for it.
These 5 simple steps can go a long way in elevating your website and expanding your reach online. And we’re here to help you get there. One of our primary goals is to help our clients make their websites more attractive and functional in order to help them reach their full potential. Check out some of our favorite client websites here and when you're ready to start planning, download our Services Guide to get started.