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Four Elements of a Welcoming Homepage
10/07/11

If a new customer walked into your business, you’d greet them with a smile and work to make them feel at home. Why should your website be any different?

As more and more of your customer base begins to use the web to find you, your first impression online becomes even more critical. Each element of your webpage sends a message to your visitor.

We’ve already covered what color says about your site and how important calls to action are, but where does your home page stand? Does it welcome your visitors the way it should? Here are some key things to consider when creating a welcoming home page design:

Keep it simple. When you first meet someone you don’t share your life story right away. Grab their attention with a short message that sheds some light on what your site is about. They will continue perusing your site if they are interested in learning more.

Selectively choose colors. Color plays a huge role in setting the tone so choose wisely. If you want a formal greeting, a deep earth tone would be a great choice. If you want the welcome portion of your homepage to scream, “Hey, what’s up!” a brighter, more vibrant color would suit you well. Either way, you should determine how you want to greet your visitors and make sure the color aligns correctly.

Use images. Pictures speak volumes; they can evoke emotions or portray details that words never could. Spend some time developing graphics (illustrations, real pictures, or even a flashy piece of animation) that lend insight to what your site and organization are all about.

Remember font is important! There are three things that you should keep in mind when selecting a font for the welcoming portion of your homepage. Your font should be: (1) clear and legible for your visitors to read easily, (2) slightly different than the rest of the design (but still complementary) to draw your visitors’ attention, and (3) if possible, blended with the graphics to create a more aesthetically appealing look.

A welcoming home page can mean the difference between a ho-hum website and a website that sells for you. Look at your home page design today and ask yourself: what would a new customer think of your business? What do you want them to think?