Your website is an incredibly important part of your business, for a ton of reasons. It’s your digital business card, it shows how incredible you are to a ton of people, it visually represents a big piece of your brand, and it starts showing potential clients what they can expect from you. But first impressions matter, which makes me ask: Do you have these 7 homepage essentials?
Remember: That whole excellent customer experience you’re reaching for on your website? It all starts on your homepage.
It makes sense when you really think about it — your homepage is probably going to be the first thing people see on your site, which means it needs to be a big priority. As I said, first impressions really do matter… and that includes your homepage.
That said, it’s hard to find the perfect formula for your homepage. From copy to design to pictures, what do you actually need to make it effective? Here’s the secret: it’s simpler than you think.
What Does Your Homepage Need To Do?
How often have you clicked on a website, only to be super unimpressed by the homepage and click right off? I’d bet you’ve done that quite a few times (maybe even today), but I can guarantee you won’t want a potential client to do the same to your site.
Am I right?
I’d bet I am — and that’s why you should look at your homepage as your site’s front door. Your homepage has a big responsibility of drawing in a ton of your site traffic and keeping your visitors online — which is why it’s so important to optimize it. Instead of acting like your homepage is a dedicated landing page, you’ll want to design it to serve different audiences from different origins.
Your goal? To incorporate elements into your site’s homepage that attract traffic, educate visitors, and invite conversions. Here’s your 7 homepage essentials for the new and improved virtual front door of your business.
The 7 Homepage Essentials You Need
When you’re building out your homepage, there are 7 big things you want to keep in mind to optimize it the right way. They’re simple (but effective!) and are key to creating a conversion-first homepage that reflects your brand like the stunner it is.
Here are your 7 homepage essentials:
Main Headline
You’ll want a snappy headline on your homepage that manages to effectively show who you are, what you do, and why you’re so important. If that sounds hard, it’s because it can be — which is where you might benefit from hiring a copywriter or spending a lot of time digging into your brand message. Trust me here: Having the right main headline on your homepage can make all the difference.
Brand Statement
One thing you don’t want when someone clicks on your homepage is for them to leave because they have no idea what your positioning really is — which is where your brand statement comes in. A truly excellent brand statement helps you clearly state your value to your ideal clients clearly and effectively, and it will come in handy time and time again. (Psst… I have a guide to help you craft a standout brand statement and elevate your brand experience instantly.)
Primary CTA’s
A great site homepage also includes several clear primary CTA’s, or “calls to action”. These can do a few things (and should) from encouraging people to sign up for your email list all the way to pointing people to book a call. Your mission here is to keep it simple but actionable so that people keep clicking on your site… long past the homepage.
Compelling Imagery
Visuals matter online — there’s simply no way around it. Make sure your homepage is stunning visually by integrating in gorgeous pictures and images that show off your brand like it deserves. If you’re not ready to hire a photographer, that’s okay! There are tons of great places to find high-quality stock imagery online, too (Haute Stock is a great one).
Your Diamond Factor
The most important part of your homepage is making sure that every single person who clicks on to your site understands why you’re the brand or business for them — and it’s all in what I like to call your Diamond Factor. To put it literally, your Diamond Factor is what makes you sparkle and stand out from your competition. You’re great at what you do, so make sure your site reflects that.
Social Proof and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials are a huge piece of the puzzle in running a great business, whether you’re a product-based business or a service-based one. After all, people love to talk — so let them! Show off how much your clients have loved working with you or how much people have benefitted from your products by making it wildly obvious from your homepage. You can do this in a couple of ways (I love a good carousel), and it’s a great way to boost your conversion factor.
Resources and Content
You started a business because you really love what you do and because you’re an expert at what you do. The very, very best way to show potential clients your value is through giving them resources and content that show this off. Think blogs, a free resource library, or video content. You’ll want to make it instantly obvious from your homepage. While you don’t need to include 4 blogs on your homepage — and you shouldn’t — make sure that it clearly points visitors to your content.
Now That I Know My New Homepage Essentials, What Do I Do?
Next up, it’s time to level up that site of yours. I’m an expert in using websites to scale businesses just like yours, which is where the Brand Brilliance Accelerator comes in. During this exclusive 4-month mentorship and group workshop program, I’ll help give you the tools you need to elevate your brand to new heights. With science-backed strategies and high-converting designs, you — and your homepage — will reach the true Brand Brilliance you deserve. Join the waitlist here.
