What to Put on the Homepage of a Website: 7 Key Elements for Your Homepage

When people visit your website, the first thing they see is your homepage. You want to grab the user’s attention and keep them engaged on your website. That’s why it’s important to develop an engaging and informative homepage.

But what do you put on the homepage of a website?

Keep reading to learn the seven must-have elements of a homepage!

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Read More: 9 Professional Web Design Tips

Element #1: Headline

When users visit your website, one of the first things that will grab their attention is the headline. Your headline tells your audience who you are or what you offer.

When creating the headline, you must understand your target audience. Understanding who you are trying to reach ensures you craft compelling copy that grabs their attention. Trying to cater to everyone is the greatest mistake you can make, as you will lose people who might be interested in what you provide. 

To make the headline effective and attention-grabbing, make it simple. Keep it focused on your audience and what you offer to them, rather than on your company — do this by addressing your audience using “you” or “your,” like in the example above.

Element #2: Sub-headline

A headline and sub-headlines work hand in hand. Both a headline and sub-headline assist in creating a more straightforward message to users. Website visitors can understand what your business focuses on and you can convert them. 

Think of your sub-headline as a chance to pitch to your audience about what you mentioned in your headline. The headline draws your audience’s interest, while your sub-headline sells them more on what you offer.

To emphasize the value of your products and services, focus on a common pain point your audience has and position your product or service as the solution.

Element #3: Calls-to-action (CTAs)

When people visit your website, it’s up to you to guide them to the next step. Calls-to-action (CTAs) are one of the most effective strategies for driving users to convert. 

The CTAs you use should be in line with your website’s objectives and the actions you’re trying to encourage your audience to take. You can use CTAs throughout your homepage to invite users to take different actions as they scroll down.

Element #4: Supporting images

So, what else do you put on the homepage of a website? Images, of course!

Visual elements on your website are the best way to keep people engaged on your website and prevent them from being overwhelmed by the text on your website. The videos and images you use should emphasize the story you are trying to tell. 

Choose high-quality visuals that showcase your product or people performing the services you offer. Make sure you scale the images correctly so they don’t take over your pages.

Include alt text on images for accessibility. Users should understand how the image is relevant to your website, especially if it doesn’t load. Adding alt text to images is also a great way to enhance search engine optimization (SEO). 

Element #5: Navigation

One of the most important elements that appears on your homepage is your navigation. Ease of use is essential when people are navigating your homepage, as it can be the difference between a website conversion and a bounce.

So, to make it easier for users to navigate, include a clear path so they understand where to find what comes next. For website links, they should be well-organized in hierarchies. 

An organized navigation will make it easy for people to find the information they need, which can ultimately lead to more conversions for your business.

Element #6: What you offer

What do you put on the homepage of your website besides visual elements? Text.

The information you provide on your website is valuable to getting people to explore more about what you offer. Whether you sell clothing, repair HVAC systems, or offer productivity software, you need to tell your audience what you offer so they can determine if you’re a good fit for their needs.

For software companies, for example, your homepage is a great place to highlight all the features of your software.

Sharing information about what you offer helps you draw attention from website visitors and get them to explore your website more.

Element #7: Proof

Nothing can sell your products or services better than people sharing their experiences with your business. Sharing some customer testimonials and success stories assists your brand in building credibility. You can include this information on your homepage, along with any awards and gained recognition in the industry. 

From reviews to case studies to client testimonials, social proof on your homepage goes a long way in proving to visitors why you’re the best choice.

Start creating your revenue-driving homepage today

Now that you know what to include on your homepage, it’s time to start building one that helps you drive more traffic, keep visitors engaged, and convert them. A well-curated homepage will help you achieve this goal.

Not sure where to start with your homepage design? The team at WebFX can help. We’re an award-winning web design company with multiple locations worldwide and a top Fort Myers web design agency.

We have a team of 500 design experts that have won over 155 awards, including web design awards. Our team knows how to craft homepages and websites that engage, delight, and convert.

Contact us online or call us today at 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist about our web design services!