Your website’s homepage is the most vital part of the whole site. It is the first thing that potential clients and customers see when they enter your site, and you know how crucial first impressions are. Your homepage should tell your brand’s story. It must appear professional, warm, and welcoming, and provide clear navigation to your site visitors. More importantly, it must create an immediate connection with your potential customers. Otherwise, you will lose them.
If there is one part of your website you should be critical about, it is your homepage. This page can make or break your business, and it deserves your utmost attention. If you are still in the web development process or are thinking about building a site of your own, this article will guide you on creating a website that will grab attention and leave a positive impression.
Step 1: Create your website personas
Your website exists for your target audience, who are your potential customers or clients. It is essential to know who these visitors are because they will influence your website’s overall functionality and experience. Define who these visitors are and group them accordingly. These segments you create are your website personas.
This step will help you become more aware of who you are building the website for and helps you get to know and stay focused on your audience.
Step 2: Develop a road map for each persona
Now that you know who you are talking to, you need to make a road map for all of them. Where will site visitors go when they access your site? What button or link should they tap or click first? This step is often a neglected part of the planning process.
Use any method that will help you define your audiences’ experience. Draw on a piece of paper or create charts on Word or Excel. The idea is to design a directed experience for each audience segment. This step will help you enumerate all the features and services you need to provide your web visitors to make them happy and satisfied with their visit.
After all, the happier your visitors, the better chances that they return and make a conversion.
Step 3: Define the Navigation
It is time to put that roadmap into action. Make sure that all paths are clear and that there are no roadblocks. Visitors do not have the time to figure out how your website works. With an intuitive navigation system, you can encourage visitors to stay on your pages and explore more of your site.
That could subsequently lead to bringing more sales or establishing brand loyalty for your business. Make sure there are no loopholes or dead ends to ensure a positive experience.
Step 4: Create Your Wireframe
Now, it is time to envision the site by creating a wireframe. A wireframe is the skeletal outline or screen blueprint of your website. This part is where you connect all the informational architecture to the visual design you had in mind. This step shows the paths between your website’s pages or how they are linked together.
Step 5: Apply Your Wireframe to Your Webpage
Finally, it is time to bring your design to life. If you are going to purchase a WordPress theme, make sure to choose a theme that matches your wireframes or project objectives. If you have the budget, it is best to hire a web designer and developer to help you achieve the website aesthetics and functionality you want.
Conclusion
If you want to leave a positive impression on your site visitors, make sure that you think through your brand’s story and how you want to communicate it to people through your site. Never rush the process. Think of all the questions that will arise as they take the journey to your page, and make sure that you provide them with answers. Most importantly, consider your audience in all the decisions you make for your website.
If you are looking for website design services in Boise, we are here to help. We can solve your business’s problems by providing you with a website that works and achieves your goals. We also offer free website consultation calls. Give us a call today at (208) 614-1590.
