What Makes a Great Website Homepage (And How to Get Yours Right)
- Christopher Sergi
- May 4
- 4 min read
When someone lands on your website homepage, you’ve got seconds—yes, just a few seconds—to make a great first impression. Think of it like a shop window. If it’s messy, confusing, or doesn’t show what you sell, people will simply walk on by.
But if it’s clear, inviting, and gives people exactly what they’re looking for? Now you’ve caught their attention. Let’s talk about what actually makes a homepage great and how to make sure yours is working hard for your business.
Your Value Proposition Needs to Shine (Fast!)
The number one job of your homepage is to tell visitors three things straight away:
What you offer
Who it’s for
Why they should choose you
This is called your value proposition—basically, what makes you special.
Imagine someone who’s never heard of your business before. Could they figure out what you do in five seconds or less? If not, it’s time to tighten up your homepage messaging.
Tip: A clear headline and a friendly sub-headline go a long way. For example:
“Beautiful, affordable web design for Surrey businesses. Let’s get your website working for you.”
Straightforward and welcoming—that’s what we’re aiming for.
Clean, Modern Design (No Clutter, Please)
A cluttered homepage can overwhelm visitors and send them packing. Instead, go for a clean layout with plenty of breathing room. I like to do the same on my website where you're reading this. Minimalism is not about having less, it's about having the least and delivering the most.
Here’s what helps:
Easy-to-read fonts (no Comic Sans, promise!)
Consistent but minimal colours that reflect your brand personality
High-quality images or friendly illustrations
A layout that looks great on both desktop and mobile
Remember: Less is more. When in doubt, leave it out.
Calls to Action (Tell Them What to Do Next)
Your homepage should gently guide visitors toward the next step.This is where calls to action (CTAs) come in.
Some examples:
Get a free quote
Book a consultation
Browse our services
Place a main CTA “above the fold” (visible before they scroll) and sprinkle a few more naturally as they explore the page. People like to be guided. If you don’t tell them where to go, they might not go anywhere at all.
Simple, Intuitive Navigation
Ever landed on a website and thought, “Where on earth do I click?” Exactly. Let’s avoid that.
Keep your main menu simple:
About
Services
Portfolio (if relevant)
Contact
That’s usually plenty. Fancy dropdowns and dozens of pages can wait until visitors are deeper into your site.
Pro tip: A sticky (always-visible) navigation bar is especially handy on mobile.
Trust Signals (Why Should They Believe You?)
In the online world, trust is everything. Your homepage should give visitors confidence that you’re the real deal.
Consider adding:
Client testimonials (these are gold!)
Certifications or memberships
A few case studies or a portfolio
Links to active social media accounts
Even a few friendly photos of yourself or your team (or even a video!) can make a big difference. People connect with people, not faceless businesses. For my specialisation small local businesses, I can tell you how this is one of the biggest factors that go ignored.
Speed Matters (Nobody Likes Waiting)
We’ve all clicked away from a slow website, right? Your homepage should load in under three seconds—faster if possible.
Quick wins:
Optimise your images (no gigantic photo files)
Use a reliable hosting provider
Keep flashy animations to a minimum
A fast site makes your business look professional and respects your visitors’ time. Remember, a good web designer knows the above well and can steer you in the fastest direction.
SEO Basics (So People Can Actually Find You)
Even the most beautiful homepage won’t help if no one can find it. This is where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in.
Make sure:
Your headlines include relevant keywords (but keep them natural)
Your meta description is clear and enticing
Alt text is added to images
Your site structure is easy for search engines to read
Don’t worry—you don’t need to become an SEO wizard overnight. But the basics can make a huge difference in how easily customers discover you online. Again, a web designer deals with SEO on a daily basis and can serve you well in this department.
Wrapping Up: Is Your Homepage Working Hard Enough?
Your homepage is valuable real estate. When it’s clear, clean, and designed to help visitors find what they need, it can turn curious browsers into loyal customers.
If you’re looking at your current homepage and thinking, “Hmm… it might be time for a refresh,” you’re not alone. This is exactly what I help small businesses with every day.
I offer free consultations where we can chat about what’s working, what’s not, and what simple changes could help your website start pulling its weight.
As a local web designer in Cobham, Surrey, I work one-on-one with small businesses to modernise their websites, improve usability, and increase visibility — all while preserving what makes them unique.
📩 Email: cs(@)christophersergi.com
📞 Phone: +44 (0) 7377 322 082
Looking to grow your online and visual presence? Check out my web design services in Surrey for more info.
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