How to Design a Website Homepage that Converts
July 30, 2020 | By Ilfusion Team
A website’s homepage is equivalent to a brick-and-mortar storefront. It draws people in and sets the first impression of your brand.
Having a well-designed homepage can be a key differentiator in creating a website that effectively converts visitors and drives sales.
Whether you’re launching your website for the first time, or if you’re thinking of a redesign, here are some tips on creating a great homepage for your business website that converts:
1. Have a consistent branding identity
One of the hallmarks of an effective homepage design is being able to tell who you are and what you offer at a glance.
This can be achieved by having a solid and consistent branding identity, which spans from your color palette, fonts, web copy, graphics, and more.
Using a cohesive homepage design also adds to your credibility as a brand. A professionally designed website gives off the impression that you are also able to apply the same level of professionalism in your business dealings.
2. Choose a layout that’s easy to navigate
Keep your layout clean, simple, and easy to navigate. Site visitors must be able to find what they need at a glance, or in just one or two clicks.
Additionally, ensure that solid user experience (UX) guidelines are applied so that your site visitors are most likely to see them in places where they expect to find them . These are your menus, contact information, and call-to-action button—just to name a few.
It also comes in handy to display subtle directional cues, such as arrows, specific colors, or images. These visual cues serve as guides to your users’ eyes so they naturally flow from one section to another.
3. Include a clear call-to-action
Many businesses make the mistake of creating a homepage without a clear goal in mind. Do you want them to buy now, schedule a demo, or sign up for a free trial?
Whatever your goal is, usher visitors to the next step of the sales process by providing a clear call-to-action (CTA).
Your CTA button should also be easily identifiable. Use contrasting colors to make it stand out, and craft an engaging CTA phrase that will draw users to click it.
Most important of all, each CTA should have a landing page that accurately corresponds to the offer given.
4. Optimize site speed
A slow-loading site not only leads web visitors away from your site but it also hurts your conversion rate.
As was mentioned, keep your design simple and minimalistic. The fewer design elements and unnecessary plugins your site has, the more likely that your webpage will load faster.
Optimize images and videos to a web-friendly file size. Reduce redirects and HTTP requests as much as possible. It’s also recommended to enable file compression and to use browser caching.
5. Make your business website mobile-friendly
In the same vein as the previous point, it’s important now more than ever to make your website and your landing pages mobile-friendly.
This goes beyond just having a responsive web design. It’s also about providing great user experience.
This includes other mobile-optimization design considerations such as the following:
- Legible typeface and font sizes
- Larger CTA buttons
- Tap targets with ample space for tapping
- Auto-fill form fields
- Options for guest checkouts
- Auto-detection of location settings
- Core web vitals
6. Feature a video
Videos have been proven to be one of the most engaging types of content, making them a potent addition to any homepage design.
In fact, studies have shown that including a video on a website homepage increases conversion rates by at least 20%.
Feature an explainer video on your homepage that creatively demonstrates who you are as a company and what you can offer.
Your video should be short, concise, and persuasive. Focus on your value proposition: What sets you apart from everyone else?
Need help with your website?
Your website is one of the most important investments you can make for your business.
If you need help with any of your website needs — whether it’s web design, redesign, web development, or video production — Ilfusion has the professional experience to lend you a hand.
Give us a call at 888-420-5115, or send us an email at [email protected].
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