Building a website also means building the home page, which is arguably the most important one. The home page is responsible for almost everything: how long a user stays on the site, their overall impression and whether they're interested in the company's offer.
What a home page consists of
The first page should reflect the company's overall mood. Website development should be done by truly qualified specialists. It's important to understand that you won't get a second chance to make a first impression. You can't explain to a potential customer that you "didn't mean it that way". A poor home page can make the company look unprofessional. So it's important to make the most of your one chance to tell customers that you offer a better product than your competitors.
Ordering a website is only half the job. You also need to understand the purpose of every page and even every button.
The home page performs the following functions:
— Informational: the company's specialisation and where the user has landed.
— Navigational: a menu, active buttons and clear navigation that let potential customers move around the site.
— Sales: it's important to show all your advantages and build trust in the company.
— Communication: add an online chat, social media links or a form to contact the company's managers.
In a way, the home page should do the job of a landing page: be logical and sales-driven without overloading or distracting the user. It will, however, contain more features and content than a one-page site.
Turnkey websites: from the home page to sales
A company has at most 10 seconds to capture a user's interest. If the home page seems dull, the person will simply leave — perhaps for a competitor's site.
That's why the home page should show the company's name and logo. The most visible spot is the top left corner. This rule applies to every website without exception, whether an information portal or a turnkey online store.
Tell users straight away what the company does. From the very first seconds, people should understand whether they're in the right place. This information is usually placed on a banner or next to the logo. Keep it short.
Potential customers should also see what the company can offer them. For example, you can put your offer on the home page. For an online store, feature a few products likely to catch attention. Don't be secretive — don't be afraid to show prices right away. It only increases trust in the company.
Also consider how complex and large your website will be. If there are many pages, navigation needs to be well thought out so users understand where to find each product group. Quality web development is the first step towards high sales. Image plays a very important role in this.
That's why it's a good idea to include blocks on the home page that list your company's strengths:
— the company's values;
— the benefits for the customer;
— why the company is better than its competitors;
— information about guarantees.
Users should be convinced that they're dealing with a completely trustworthy company. To sum up, your home page should:
— give customers basic information about your company within seconds;
— explain your advantages;
— have intuitive navigation.
— be designed to interest your target audience.
And don't forget a call to action and genuinely high-quality, useful content that meets the customer's information needs.
