Homepage Design Tips: Create a Website That Converts

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Write Headlines That Grab Attention

Your headline is often the first thing visitors read, so it needs to pack a punch. But staring at a blank screen trying to write the perfect headline? Not fun. (Ask me how I know…)

I’ve found the Headline Generator Tool from Megan Taylor of The Copy Template Shop incredibly helpful for creating headlines that actually convert. Just plug in details about what you offer, and you’ll get 40 unique options to test. Yep, you’ll want to test and tweak some different options until you find the headline that lands perfectly with your ideal audience.

Tell Your Brand Story

Getting your brand message right is also a challenge, but this is extremely important for your website’s homepage. Ever notice how some businesses can explain what they do in one crisp sentence while others ramble on without making their value clear?

This is where a solid elevator pitch comes in handy. If you’re still with me and haven’t gone off to look at the Headline Generator Tool yet, make sure you pick up Megan’s free Elevator Pitch Copy Template while you’re there. (I’ve got more good stuff below, so do make sure you come back here for more; alternatively, you could wait till the end to check out all the recommended resources on this page.)

The Elevator Pitch Copy Template will help you distill your unique value into something memorable and clear. In just 15 minutes, you can craft a description that works across your homepage, social media, and anywhere else you need to capture attention.

Guide Your Visitors to Take Action

Showcase Your Value

Now that you’ve got your headline and elevator pitch sorted, let’s talk about the rest of your homepage content. Your visitors need to quickly understand not just what you do, but why they should choose you over everyone else offering similar services or products.

That’s where having a clear value proposition comes in. (And no, it’s not just about having the lowest prices!) If you’ve already worked through the free Elevator Pitch Copy Template, you might want to take things even further with the Messaging Clarity Journal. This journal from The Copy Template Shop helps you dig deeper into what makes your business special and how to communicate that effectively throughout your site.

Create Easy-to-Use Navigation

Ever landed on a website and felt completely lost? Yeah, we don’t want that for your visitors!

Your menu should be simple to find and use—no treasure hunt required. (Although scavenger hunts are an AWESOME way to get more engagement on your website when used strategically.)

I’m a huge fan of the Site Menus That Make Money training from The Launch Concierge. You’ll learn about different types of menus, why menus are so important, and how to incorporate Calls to Action in your menu(s). Plus, Emilia shares best practices for menu placement and organization that actually help convert visitors into customers.

Build Your Email List

One of the best things you can do on your homepage is give people the opportunity to join your email list. Whether you run a local service business, sell products online, or offer digital services, having a direct line to your potential customers’ inboxes is invaluable.

Think of it this way: social media algorithms change constantly, but email gives you reliable access to people who’ve already shown interest in what you do. Plus, you own your email list—unlike your social media following that could disappear tomorrow if a platform shuts down. 😲

Need help setting up and/or growing your email list?

Davey & Krista’s course “Grow Your Email List” is so good, no matter if you’re looking to get your first 1,000 email subscribers or taking it to the next level with website pop-ups and ads. They walk you through everything from choosing the right email platform to creating lead magnets or freebies that turn website visitors into customers and clients.

And if you need help implementing any of the technical pieces—like setting up opt-in forms on your homepage, creating pop-ups that don’t annoy visitors, or adding forms to your WordPress sidebar—just let me know. I love helping clients with these kinds of projects!

Build Trust Through Design

Visual Brand Elements

Your homepage should feel cohesive with your overall brand presence. This means using consistent colors, fonts, and imagery that reflect your brand’s personality. But don’t worry if you haven’t nailed down your visual brand yet—that’s something we can work on together! 😊

Or, if you’re looking to get a gorgeous brand ready, like, yesterday, I highly recommend checking out Davey and Krista’s Brand Templates Made Easy With Canva. They offer a variety of semi-custom brand collections—from the warm sophistication of Everly Gray to the playful spirit of Brette Bloom—each thoughtfully designed to give your business a professional, cohesive look without the custom design price tag.

Social Proof

Your homepage isn’t just about telling people how great you are—it’s about showing them. Include testimonials from happy clients, showcase any relevant certifications or awards, and highlight brands you’ve worked with. Place these trust indicators strategically throughout your homepage where they support your key messages.

Clear Next Steps

Every section of your homepage should guide visitors toward taking action. Whether it’s scheduling a call, signing up for your email list, or browsing your services, make these pathways obvious and appealing.

Optimize Your Homepage Performance

Common Design Mistakes

Let’s talk about what not to do on your homepage. The biggest mistakes I see include:

• Overwhelming visitors with too much information
• Making navigation complicated
• Using slow-loading images or videos
• Forgetting to test the mobile experience…

Mobile Responsiveness

These days, more than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so your homepage needs to look and work great on phones and tablets. That means readable text sizes, touch-friendly buttons, and properly scaled images.

Loading Speed

A slow website can send visitors running back to Google. Keep your homepage loading quickly by:

• Optimizing images before uploading
• Minimizing unnecessary plugins (check out my top free WordPress plugins here)
• Using a reliable hosting provider
• Regularly cleaning up your database

Transform Your Website into a Client-Attracting Asset

Your homepage sets the tone for your entire website experience, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Ready to make sure every part of your website works together to attract and convert your ideal clients?

I’ve put together a free guide, “6 Steps to Website Success,” where you’ll discover:

• How to ensure your website design (not just your homepage!) resonates with your target audience
• Simple ways to create an engaging user experience across your entire site
• Proven techniques to improve your search engine visibility
• Strategies that turn casual browsers into leads and customers
• Tips for optimizing your website’s speed for better performance
• Essential steps to keep your website secure and trustworthy

Plus, when you grab the guide, you’ll receive a series of emails over the next couple weeks that shine some more light on each step so you can start implementing improvements right away!