Happy and Successful Home Pages - A Quick Checklist

People land and leave home pages all the time and usually because they don't find what they are looking for right away. Here are some tips that will help lure them in.

1. No Clutter
   A cluttered home page creates visual confusion. If you have a lot of content to present on a home page, define the most important element and give it clear hierarchy - make it a large section or position it strategically - so that the visitor's eye goes to that first.
2. Give Them Your Digits
   Put your phone number and other contact info in a prominent position on your site but don't eliminate the contact us page since some people look for that immediately. Don't make them hunt for how to contact you.
3. Don't Fear the Fold
   Below the fold is an old industry newspaper term. The important story on the front page went front and center above the fold. This concept has carried over to the web. Your most important content or message should appear front and center and your less important content should sit lower on the page where people have to scroll to see it. Don't try to cram everything above the fold (see #1 No Clutter), people do know how to scroll down with ease and will do so if they what they see interests them.
4. Quick Links
   If you have a lot of pages in your website and they are contained in drop down menus, quick links provide a way to call attention and drive the visitor to a specific product or service that the visitor might be looking for. They also provide a means to highlight your services.
5. Don't Splash
   Splash pages or intro pages can be real deterrents for web visitors even if you present a skip intro link. They are usually slow to load and don't provide the important content for search engines. Many splash pages are built in Flash which is currently unsupported on some mobile devices so your visitor could think your home page is blank.
6. Easy Navigation
   Don't make them guess with cute navigation menu titles. Keep it easy and the visitor will find what he is looking for.
7. Give Them Something Useful
   Whether it is an interesting factoid, a free consultation, or a pdf Whitepaper, give your visitor something they can use or that might pique their interest in your product or service.
8. Tell Them A Lot with Just A Little
   Offer them a brief introduction to your business and what sets you apart from your competition. Provide a call to action where they can learn more and offer glimpses into what they can find in the depths of your website. Make sure to use keywords - those words or phrases that your visitor may use to search for your business - in your content.
9. Easy on the Effects
   Make sure your graphics or any movement on your website are relevant to your content and goals. Unless you are creating a website for this summer's hottest action adventure flick, excess graphics, animations and effects may prevent the visitor from clearly getting the information she needs.
10. Don't Click Here
    Instructing a user to "Click Here" is becoming a dated directive. With touch screens and trackballs, the act of clicking with a mouse is not the only means of navigating to a new page. If you want a user to access a link try stronger calls to action like "get a quote," "meet other happy clients", or "create a free account."