In website design, businesses often get one thing wrong: they treat their homepage like a dusty welcome mat. Stock photo? Check. Generic tagline? Check. And then… crickets 🦗
Your homepage is prime real estate. It’s the digital front door, the first date, the handshake, all rolled into one pixel-perfect moment. So let’s talk about what actually needs to be there (hint: it’s not that overused photo of two people high-fiving in an office).
1️⃣ A Headline That Hits
You’ve got seconds to keep someone from bouncing faster than a kid on a trampoline. A good headline is clear, confident and actually say what you do, no vague “empowering solutions for the future” fluff.
See some headline inspo here.
2️⃣ A Subheadline That Sells
Follow it up with a sharp subheadline that adds detail, context, or a bit of attitude. Think of it as the hook after your opening line on a dating app, it needs to keep them scrolling.
3️⃣ A Crystal-Clear Call to Action
What do you want them to do? Book? Shop? Stalk you on Instagram? Tell them, clearly. Good CTAs don’t play hard to get.
4️⃣ Social Proof That Slaps
Testimonials, client logos, “as seen in” brag bars, show us you’re not just hyping yourself up in the mirror. People trust people, not random internet claims.
Check out why social proof works here.
5️⃣ A Teaser for Your Services (or Products)
Don’t make people dig. Serve up a preview of your best work or offerings right away. Make it easy for visitors to know what they’re in for and get them excited to dive deeper.
6️⃣ Real, Not Cringe, Visuals
Ditch the stock handshake. Use brand photography, behind-the-scenes shots, real people, real moments and visuals that represent your brand.
7️⃣ Navigation That Doesn’t Require a PhD
Keep your nav simple and intuitive. If visitors need a map to find your About page, you’ve already lost them.
The Big Takeaway
Listen up. Your homepage needs to feel alive, on-brand and guide visitors exactly where you want them to go. Because no one remembers the stock photo, but they do remember how you made them feel (and whether they clicked that shiny button).
Need help making your homepage feel less like a placeholder and more like a power move? We’ve got you.
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