Why You Need a Quality Website Homepage

Why You Need a Quality Website Homepage

It's a First Impression That Builds Credibility

Your homepage is typically the first page visitors see, and, as such, is the first impression people have of your business. Think of it like the cover of a book: a visitor should be able to tell who you are and what you do after visiting your homepage. Without an enticing homepage, you run the risk of losing potential customers before they even browse your site. Additionally, your homepage works to build credibility and trust in your brand. Visitors want to know why they should choose you over your competitors. Your homepage design is the a big factor in this decision.

It funnels people through your site

On any well-built website, the homepage acts as a starting point that funnels people to the rest of your site. All your content and buttons should be pushing people to your products or services page, so, if your homepage is sub-par, potential customers won't turn into leads. However, a bad homepage does more than push away potential clients. If people tend to leave your site after only looking at your homepage, it can hurt your search engine rankings. These rankings are essential to increasing engagement with your site. In order to avoid this, make sure your homepage has call-to-action prompts that invite the viewer deeper into the site.
‍

3 Common Website Homepage Problems (and How to Fix Them!)

1. Outdated Visual Design

One of the worst mistakes you can make on your homepage is to include outdated visuals. Nobody wants to click on a website that looks like it was made 20 years ago, especially since consumers are used to modern websites. Here are some tips to make sure you're up-to-par:

Update the Colors

Updating the colors on your website can give your online presence the facelift it needs to make an impact. Try using a tri-color scheme made of two neutrals and one accent color. If you must have multiple bright colors, make sure they're complimentary of each other.

Make The Layout Responsive

Nowadays, sites are primarily accessed via mobile devices. Make sure that your site has a responsive layout that adapts to the screen size of the device it's being used on. Nobody wants to use a site that requires they zoom in to read its contents.

Customize Images

Stock photos will work if you choose well, but they run the risk of being outdated. Whether it's updating your stock photos to newer versions or replacing them with pictures of your own, customizing the images on your website can help your homepage feel more organic.

2. Confusing User Journey

The user experience is another important piece of your homepage design. Your UX design should follow reasonable cues to make it easier for customers to navigate your website and be able to easily determine what you're selling.

Optimize Links and Layouts

Your homepage likely has main links in the header that take users to different webpages. These links should be laid out in a way that is easy for the user to access.

3. Slow Loading

If your homepage takes too long to load, it can cause serious problems. A slow homepage is often an indicator of a lower quality website, which, in turn, indicates a low quality company as a whole. It is also a major factor in your search engine rankings.
‍

Reduce the Size of your Site

When a web browser loads a website, it's really downloading all your files and displaying them. By reducing the file size of your site, its performance and speed will undoubtedly improve. To do this, compress images, and get rid of large plugins or embeds.

‍

Contact Website Squirrel Today

Your website says a lot about your business — especially your homepage. A well-thought-out, well-designed homepage can make an excellent impression on customers. Homepage design flaws such as outdated visuals, a confusing user experience, and slow speeds can damage that impression. For more information about website homepage design and development, don't hesitate to reach out to WebsiteSquirrel today!