6 Things every Online Service Provider needs on their home page
Designing a website is a big deal. But nailing your home page is the biggest deal of all.
Studies have shown that you have LESS than 1 SECOND to capture your audience’s attention and convince them to stay on your website and hire your services.
In most cases, your home page is the FIRST impression your audience will encounter. Your home page should welcome your audience and make them want to stay.
But how do you set up a home page for success with minimal time?
Your website home page needs these 6 things (at a minimum):
Tagline
Call To Actions (CTAs)
User-Friendly Navigation
Branding
Credibility
Design Strategy
1. Tagline
A tagline is the first 1-2 sentences that your visitors will read. A great tagline quickly and CLEARLY identifies:
What you do
Who for
Location (if applicable)
What sets you apart from your competitors
+ bonus points for incorporating your brand personality
For example:
“Elevate your social standing with binge-able content”
We create captivating content for natural skincare products; energising both your brand and leads.
Straight away this tagline shows me what they do (create content), who for (natural skincare products), how they stand out (binge-able, captivating, energising) and how they help me (increase revenue and online presence)
If you address these 3-4 points in your tagline, you’ll reduce the amount of time that’s lost on enquiries and discovery calls that are not a good fit for you.
It’ll also help boost the enquiries from those dreamy clients who are desperate to work with you!
2. Call To Actions (CTAs)
CTAs help guide your audience around your website so they ultimately go where you want them to go next.
The prime place for a CTA is immediately after your tagline.
Your tagline has helped prime your potential client to work with you. But without a button they may not be so easily guided to your services page - so make sure you have 1-2 buttons.
Eg.
Button: Work With Us!
Button: Shop Templates
Button: 1-1 Sessions
Button: Group Sessions
When should I use 2 CTA buttons?
After a tagline, you would usually have 1 CTA BUT some people offer both 1-1 services AND sell courses or templates. Or they might offer individual and group sessions.
In this scenario it’s a great idea to have 2 buttons because they direct your audience to both “locations” on your website, helping you achieve your goal of earning income (and helps your potential client!)
CTAs on your home page:
Throughout the rest of your homepage, you would ideally have a CTA in almost any section that has text - for example, if you outline your service packages, have buttons that direct them to your services page.
If you offer discovery calls, include a section and button that prompts them to book a call.
Make your website easy to navigate by using CTAs!
3. User-Friendly Navigation
When talking about navigation in terms of web design, it can refer to the “navigation header” AND can also refer to user-experience.
Navigation header
The navigation header is the menu at the top of your website - it links to the MOST IMPORTANT pages of your website. An ideal navigation header will have 5-6 page links maximum.
Having less links prevents the header from looking cluttered and overwhelming.
Your most important pages may include:
Services
Courses or Shop Templates
Portfolio (easily access previous work)
Blog (find helpful resources and grow our email list)
About or Contact
The reason we don’t list ‘Home’ is because on most platforms the logo itself is the home page link, so you don’t need it twice.
In the footer, link every page on your website! From the page links found in your header navigation to any extra pages you have and legalities.
For example:
Home
Services
Portfolio
Courses / Shop
Blog
About
Contact
FAQs
Book a Call
Social links
Legals (Privacy Policy, Website Terms of Use, Cookies Policy etc.)
User-Experience
Throughout every step of the design process, you need to consider your audience.
While you know your business inside and out, your audience does not.
What makes sense for you might not make sense for your audience.
What you find visually appealing, might not appeal to your target audience.
Your website needs to reflect your brand AND have all the focus on your ideal client.
Questions to ask yourself:
“Is my website easy to use?”
Can my ideal clients easily find the information they need?
If I were my own client, where would I need to go next to hire me?
Is my website clear? Does it make sense?
Does my website appeal to my audience?
If your clients can easily navigate your website / home page, you’re off to a great start!
4. Branding
This might seem like a pretty obvious point to make, but nevertheless: your homepage needs to be consistent with your branding!
Consistency shows professionalism, builds trust, accurately represents your values as a business and so much more.
Your home page should reflect all your branding so your audience gets an idea of what to expect on all the pages - but always remember that less is more.
Incorporate your branding wisely so you avoid “chaotic vibes”.
5. Credibility
You’ve got something amazing to offer. You’re an expert. But in a saturated market, you really need to prove “why you?” above your competitors.
The good news is, you can build credibility and trust with your ideal clients right on your home page!
Your home page will ideally include any sections from the list below that are relevant to you:
“As seen in” - eg. Forbes, The Morning Show or other media you’ve featured in
“Trusted by” - eg. any affiliate programs, big-name clients you’ve worked with etc.
“Client Love” - eg. testimonials of clients that had a positive experience. Bonus points if you include their name and a picture to show they’re real people!
“Featured Work” - Showcase some of your best work
These are just 4 ways to quickly build trust and proof that you’re legit and worth investing in!
6. Design Strategy
Before you create anything, you need to plan it.
I remember in high school art we would often make a concept of what we wanted to create, then practice using different materials and mediums to create the best outcome before finally creating the final masterpiece.
It’s the same with web design.
Once you know what is going on your website, you need to map out the layout to create a smooth flow, feel and functionality.
What pages do you need?
What does each page need?
Where will the information or graphics go on those pages?
What comes next?
Once you have your strategy, it makes it easier to design your website as whole, including your home page.
Is your home page set up for success?
Or does it need a reboot?
If your home page needs a reboot, then the VIP package is for you!
Jump the queue and get 8hrs of updates on your home page / other website maintenance.
When you’re ready, book your complimentary discovery call to get the ball rolling!