Homepage is the very first page that a visitor comes across.
Even if a user reaches the website through search results, it is almost certain
that he would head for the homepage soon. So, it won’t be wrong to state that homepage
is very critical for first impressions. While other pages focus on one specific
element, in case of homepage, designers are often in dither about what to
include and what to leave. This often leads to drastic mistakes if the designer
is inexperienced. However, such errors can be avoided by following points
followed by world renowned web design companies ;
Making Introductions
Suppose a user has heard or read about your website somewhere
and decided to pay a visit. So, the first obvious thing to do is to make
introductions. If he is there, he will already have a little idea about you.
With the help of your homepage, you have to make the faint idea crystal clear.
State what you are and what you do in a language that is simple to understand.
Also, it has to be brief along with buttons addressing call of action for
visitors who are in a hurry to place orders.
Branding
Elements
A seasoned web design company greatly focuses on branding elements. By branding elements, I mean
everything that will leave a mark of visitor’s mind and attract more visits.
Slogan, logo, typeface, color scheme, illustration and graphics are some of the
critical elements that help a website in creating its separate identity. If the
homepage is devoid of such memorable elements, then perhaps it has failed to
serve its purpose. Nowadays, graphic characters are highly popular for branding
a website.
Main
Navigation
Unless your website follows single-page website design, it is
very difficult to shed light on every aspect in homepage itself. Hence, it is
important to organize information through an ace navigation system. A visitor
should be able to understand where to look for a particular piece of
information. If a homepage follows a navigation system that is confusing and
doesn’t help in organizing elements, then, visitors may leave in bafflement.
Besides navigation, sitemap should also be present preferably on footer.
Search
button
Best website design firms suggest
keeping a noticeable search button in websites that are extensive with large
number of pages. Mainly, users of ecommerce or information based websites
depend on search buttons to look for particular items they are not able to
trace otherwise. So, search buttons are important and helpful in functionality.
Contact
details
Sometimes, web users come looking for contact details so that
they can communicate personally. Users also sometimes look for brick and mortar
address on a website. Hence, it makes sense to include the same on the home
page only. It can also be mentioned in ‘Contact Us’ page but mention on
homepage is a must.
Subscription and log-in buttons can also be included if need
be. So, it can be stated that there are a number of ways to make homepages
effective and its will only be a gargantuan mistake on behalf of website design
companies to ignore it.
