Web Design Tip #3 of 7: Create a Killer Home Page
This is post #3 in a 7-part series on guiding your web design project to ensure long-lasting results. Although produced for our clients in the greater Reading, PA and surrounding areas (Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Allentown, and Harrisburg), these timeless web design principles are universal. For all 7 tips, see the end of this post to download […]
Go For a Clean and Intuitive Home Page Design
Your website’s home page is the face of your business, and the starting point for browsing the rest of the site. The stakes are high. Therefore, when designing for the home page, remember that you have ONE CHANCE to make a first impression and to define what you site has to offer, and to help viewers grasp how your site is organized. Your home page must communicate QUICKLY and CLEARLY, or visitors may abandon it for the other sites that are just one click away in their search engine list.
Web Design Study Shows Desire for Simplicity, Ease of Use
A recent study by HubSpot offers helpful insights on effective home page design. Findings include:
- Simplicity is key to making a strong first impression
- 76% of consumers want a site that makes it EASY to find what they want (HubSpot, The Science of Website Redesign, June 2011)
- Limit the amount of choices the consumer must make (consider grouping related choices into a higher level category)
- Highlight your blog on the home page
- Links to social networking pages are a must for the home page
Don’t Make Me Think – A Key to Website Design That Delivers
In Steve Krug’s timeless Web design book, “Don’t Make Me Think”, he carefully details the principles of designing a home page that quickly engages the customer. The book is an easy read and filled with practical and memorable tips. Among them is one overarching principle: make everything SELF-EVIDENT. That means everything must be clear, obvious, and self-explanatory. Anything less slows the viewing experience and increases the rate of abandonment, or at best reduces the amount of time spent on your site.
Steve’s excellent book may be purchased through many online outlets. For your convenience, you may also purchase it by clicking it in the Recommended Reading list In the left column of this blog.
Stay Tuned for More Web Design Tips
Stay tuned for additional Web Design posts. You may also download the white paper on which this post is based by clicking the image below.
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Reading, PA 19610
(484) 297-6395
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Allentown, PA 18106
(484) 838-6648
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