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While recording this episode we realized there was so much juicy goodness that we just had to create a digital checklist for you. Head over here first to get this guide delivered right to your inbox. That way you can dive into the episode without worrying about taking feverish notes. Enjoy!
Fun fact: We had a one-page website for a looooong time when we first started Duo. We didn’t have a big budget as we were getting up and running, so we opted for a ginormous one-page website.
Now that we’ve been in business for a few years, our website has grown into what it is today. In this episode, we want to share some homepage design and branding tips that you can use whether you have a single page with all your info or a huge website like ours.
Let’s hop right in!
What is a Website Homepage?
Besides the obvious 🙃, your homepage is your brand’s hub. It’s like a mini portfolio of everything you are and can offer. Our homepage is laid out like this:
- A main headline of what we do
- Where we’ve been featured
- Mini company bio
- Mini about us
- Overview of our services
- Duo on Air
- Coaching program
- Top resources and blog
- SEO on Tap
- Testimonials
- Newsletter subscribe
Don’t get overwhelmed! It looks like a lot because we have a lot of different offerings. Your home page is really just an overview. Each of these are small sections that link to pages with more details about each thing.
Our friend Sara at Between the Lines Copy describes your homepage as a highway. The sections and corresponding CTA buttons are like exits – you’re showing someone what you can do and allowing them to take the exit they want.
Homepage Design and Branding Tips
These homepage design tips will give you a beautiful website perfectly optimized for anyone landing on your page!
1. Put Your Logo in Your Main Nav Bar
Your homepage is the first impression you give users. It should represent you and your brand to a T. Put your identity/logo in your top navigation. It’s an easy way to navigate and creates a better user experience (not to mention that it’s also good for SEO).
2. Menu Styles
Consider mobile optimization when picking your menu style. We often use and see business owners using a hamburger style on desktop and mobile. It’s more user-friendly and consistent, no matter where they’re searching from. A dropdown menu is another option, but we don’t see it used quite as much anymore.
3. Play with Patterns
We’ve been enjoying playing with patterns and submarks lately! They add a fun element to your brand. Just don’t use them too much, or it will be distracting for the user. The same goes for movement – it’s great to use to make things stand out on the page (video, gallery, gift, etc.), but don’t use them too often. It could really slow down your site, which is a big no-no for SEO.
4. CTAs
Your homepage needs to have strong call to actions (buttons). As Sara said, your homepage is a highway. Show their exit options clearly.
5. Banners
Pop-ups and banners are engaging elements, too. We have a pop-up for our freebie, Unlock 4 FREE ways to find SEO Keywords. We also had a banner at the top of our website when we were launching SEO on Tap. Pop-ups and banners call attention to specific things but use them sparingly. Too many will start to look like spam!
6. Photos
In terms of photography, show variety that compliments your brand. We have a mix of headshots and stock photos, but they all align with our branding. It appears consistent and makes sense with our vibe.
7. Skim-Worthy Copy
In terms of your copy, your homepage design should be skim-worthy. People want a quick overview of who you are and what you do. Keep legibility in mind, too. The font size, color, and style should be easy to read. And again, don’t forget to check what it looks like on mobile. Your buttons, spacing, and sizes may need to be adjusted with the slimmer screen.
8. Title Case vs. Sentence Case vs. Uppercase
Court’s design eye always notices title case vs. sentence case vs. all uppercase. So what’s best to use? It depends on the type of text. Court doesn’t think headlines should be all uppercase because the font is already so big; it just takes up too much space and looks kinda aggressive. We save all uppercase for eyebrow headers, buttons, or to emphasize specific words. Court is very strategic about when she uses capitalization (peek at our homepage design and see if you can notice patterns!)
9. Don’t Forget SEO!
Use the main keyword in your first headline. It’s the first thing users and Google will see on your page, and you want to make it clear off the bat who you are, what you do, and who you serve.
From an indexing perspective, everything stems from your home page. If you are having trouble finding yourself online, start here. When searching your brand name on Google, your home page should show up.
10. Easy Navigation
It should be easy to navigate. Websites that are hard for the user to use end up with high bounce rates. At that point, they don’t care enough to try to figure it out. They’ll find someone else with a more intuitive design.
11. Metadata
Don’t forget to do your metadata! Optimize your SEO title and meta description with your main keyword so it’s clear to users and Google what you do right at the top of the page.
How Often Should I Update My Homepage Design?
We recommend people update their website homepage at least once a year, but six months is ideal. Here are some things you can update on your website:
- Make sure your CTAs are relevant
- Update photos
- Add new offers
- Update keywords (if the ones you chose aren’t working for you)
It doesn’t have to be huge updates. Just give it a little refresh every once in a while! Now, go have some fun updating your website homepage design!
If you liked today’s episode on The Duo On Air Marketing Podcast, don’t forget to leave us a review & subscribe!
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Abbey Oslin and Courtney Petersen are Minnesota-based marketing experts, educators, and co-founders of boutique marketing agency Duo Collective, which specializes in SEO, social media strategy, and branding for small business owners and creative entrepreneurs. To learn more about Duo Collective, or to inquire about working with our team, head over to www.duocollective.com.
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