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above to visit web sites built by John Silverio
The home page is the most important page of a web
site. It presents a first impression of your business to visitors.
The following eight characteristics need to be present to encourage
visitors to stay longer. They can then look at other pages and
see what your business is all about in greater detail.
Immediately inform your visitors about your business.
Do not have them wondering who this web site is about. Avoid any
confusion by making it clear who this site represents as soon
as they arrive.
Tell visitors about the types of products and services
your business provides. Make it very clear to about the great
benefits they will deliver too. Many visitors will want to instantly
know what products and services are available to help satisfy
their needs and desires.
Identify all the content in a concise manner that's
available on your site. Use short and clear descriptions to tell
them all about the other parts of your web site. Use hooks to
get them to look around and stay awhile.
For all the links on your home page make it a point to explain
what they mean. Many times web sites have links on their home
page that do not tell what they mean. This will result in them
being ignored by their visitors.
Differentiate your business by emphasizing its uniqueness.
What exclusive benefits are available only through your business.
It is critical that visitors see how your business differentiates
from your competition.
Project an appropriate emotional image through the
colors, word, and layout of your home page. Make them feel welcome
and at ease. This brand component needs reinforced at every instance
of contact between your visitors and your business.
Provide some jolt that will immediately involve
your visitors. A special discount, original content, or a free
offering are just some of examples. This encourages visitors to
stay around and spend some time browsing through your site.
Extremely important! Make your home page load as
quickly as possible. The typical web visitor will not wait around
very long waiting for your home page to be displayed. And if they
leave, chances are very good they will never return.
These eight principles will make your home page
succeed. Visitors will immediately see what your business is all
about and what it offers them. And if the home page works well,
visitors will look around at the other pages in your web site.
