Clients often look to us at elf design to provide them with ideas about what belongs on a simple home page. In response, we often direct them to several home pages that we have designed in the past, as well as some other samples, to help guide them and to begin our conversation about what to include on their home page.
A home page has three basic functions: ? To introduce the site's navigation, the basic links a user will click on to reach the pages in your site. These should stay consistent throughout the site. ? To be a "landing page", or the first page that appears when first time visitors visit! It's important to include a few basic sentences about who you are and what you do, so that they can see at a glance if they are in the right place. ? To allow frequent visitors to find out what's new on your site and in your business. If you have sections on your site that you update regularly (like articles or a portfolio), or if your business adds a new product or service, these updates should be featured on your site's main page. This makes it easy return visitors to learn about your new features.
Here are some examples of different home pages that demonstrate several approaches to home page design here:
www.thomasdugan.com: A good basic home page for a brochure website. The content of this website does not change often, so an "Updates" section is not necessary. This site is intended for new visitors and new business.
www.copykat.net/main.htm: Another basic home page-this page follows more of a "linking" model. This home page provides ways for you to delve deep into the site.
www.pilatesfamily.com: This home page offers some information about Pilates, the way that this particular business approaches teaching Pilates, and further extends the company's brand with a watermark of the logo.
www.fabulousentertainment.net: This site's home page explains the different categories of musicians and entertainment support that they represent. This is a great approach for a site where navigation links are nontraditional.
www.reillygrouptravel.com: This home page offers a basic description of services for first-time visitors, along with information about current travel programs that are being offered along the left-hand site. The current travel section is updated each season with new tour options.
www.menlodesigns.com: This home page, for a custom-built furniture company, is mainly a "display" model home page.
www.leadersearch.com: This home page highlights the 3 main service areas that this coaching company concentrates on. If you have multiple target audiences or offer several types of services, this is a good home page model.
www.bettytill.com: This is an example of a "long copy" home page. Recent data suggests that longer copy may be more successful in converting prospects to sales than shorter copy - so this may be worth experimenting with!
These basic home page types are examples of the choices that you have when designing your home page-each business's home page should be a unique reflection of your brand and business objectives. We're happy to talk with you about designing a better home page for your business, or designing a whole new website. Contact us and start the process!
Coaching a client last week, I was reminded of a trap it's very easy to fall into when it comes to writing copy for your website. It's that old re-inventing the wheel thing. You can talk to people about what you do, but when it comes to writing it down, you lose the words. What I want to know is... who said you need to find different words in the first place?
Yes, writing website copy can be daunting. And the challenge is very often one of how to condense everything you want to say into bite-sized chunks. Most coaches, though, have already worked on this when you've crafted, practised and polished your elevator speech. So even if it doesn't feel like it, you do actually have a head start!
Let's take a quick look at what needs to go on your home page. You'll probably spot rather a lot of similarities to your trusty elevator speech...
** The important basics of your home page copy
First of all, you need to make it clear who you work with - who falls into your target market. If you work with single mothers, for example, say it up front. That way the website visitors who fall into your target market will be attracted to read more. Those who don't fit will move on elsewhere. And that's just fine.
The second really important piece of content for your home page is a brief description of the results that you deliver. These will be, of course, just the kind of results that your potential future clients want to achieve. By being clear and concise again, you will catch the eye of potential future clients and encourage them to read more. Others who have different interests will just surf on by. And that, again, is just fine.
The other vital piece of the jigsaw is your sign-up box where you ask visitors to leave you their name and contact details. However interested they are in what you offer, if you don't capture these details from them, they may as well have surfed on by. And that really isn't fine at all!
** Strangely enough, it's not about you!
So many coaches get all hung up about 'selling themselves'. But you know what? You don't actually have to do that. What sells best is copy that's about the client, not about you. Follow the guidelines above and you'll have a statement that says something like:
'Coaching for single mums who want to earn a living working from home' Or:
'Are you a corporate professional looking for a way out? We specialise in helping you to step off the treadmill, take control of your life and plan a new future.' Or:
'I work with artists and writers to make creative output a practical and financially viable reality.'
Take your basic elevator speech and you'll probably find that it follows a similar formula. The temptaion is always to add in a huge chunk about HOW you achieve the results. You know, all that stuff about coaching!
But don't forget that above all else your webiste visitors want to know if you work with clients just like them. They aren't hugely interested in how you achieve it. Later on, maybe, yes. But not at the point where you're making your first impression and they're weighing up, at the speed of light, whether to hang around on your website or not.
So begin with your ideal client in mind and write your home page just for them. Imagine they are standing in front of you and you are answering their questions. Tell them exactly what they want to know and do your best to avoid coaching terminology. Keep the sentences short, use relevant sub headings and bullet points and before you know it... hey presto! A clear, concise, relevant and client-attracting home page of your very own.
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Both Erin Ferree & Mary Mcneil are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Erin Ferree has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Marketing, About Branding and Search Engine Marketing. Erin Ferree is a brand identity and marketing design strategist who creates big visibility for small businesses. Through her customized marketing and brand identity packages, Erin helps her clients design effective websites that help them extend their bra. Erin Ferree's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Mary Mcneil has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Stress Management and Internet Marketing. Want To Know How to Set Up Your First Life Coaching Website AND Get Clients From It? of Mary McNeil's FREE bulletin.. Mary Mcneil's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.