8 Ways to Create an Effective Home Page

January 31, 2011

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Topics: Blog, Blogging Tips

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Photo by wstryder

Your home page, also known as a landing page, is where it all begins.  It is the first thing readers see when they arrive to your blog.

An effective landing page allows readers to stick around and click through your site, follow you (via RSS, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), and spread the word to others.

If you are looking to build an effective home page, follow these eight steps:

  1. Provide a strong headline. Give your readers a reason to stick around
  2. Have a defined niche. Be specific in what you are offering
  3. Provide great content. Great content + great site = success
  4. Place important information above the fold (this is the top portion of your site before scrolling). Studies show that 80% of web users spend their time looking at information above the fold.  Keeping your most important information within the viewable area will let readers know what you have to offer
  5. Keep it clean. Avoid clutter.  Clean up those sidebars; make them visually appealing.  Avoid dark colors, light text, music and flashing/distracting signs
  6. Keep it simple. Don’t overwhelm readers by offering too many options.  Calling for too much action = inaction
  7. Keep readers on your site. Avoid guiding readers off your site by adding links to other sites.  Keep them engaged within your site
  8. Keep your page short. Most readers often prefer sites that get straight to the point.  Too much scrolling down a page can be a turn off

Home pages are an important part of how readers get to know you and your brand.  Invest the time to build an effective home page, be specific, experiment, optimize and measure it (via metrics).  The numbers will tell you when it is not working.

Home pages are the greatest marketing tool for your brand, and your reader´s first impression, so make the most of yours.

Related posts:

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  2. Want to Monetize Your Blog? Create a Media Kit {Part 2 of 2}
  3. Want To Monetize Your Blog? Create a Media Kit {Part 1 of 2}
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Jessie Nuez

Jessie Nuez a native New Yorker covering stories that focus on mobile and personal technologies. When You can find Jessie writing for her site Hecho Para Mama. Follow her on Twitter @JessieNuez.

18 Comments | Leave your own

Related posts:

  1. Does Your Blog Have a Facebook Page?
  2. Want to Monetize Your Blog? Create a Media Kit {Part 2 of 2}
  3. Want To Monetize Your Blog? Create a Media Kit {Part 1 of 2}
  4. 7 Useful Twitter Tools to Monitor Hashtags

    • Jessie Nuez

      Thank you! I am super excited to be a part of LBC and to share this type of information with everyone.

      It is a pleasuring “meeting you” as well. =)

      Reply

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  7. Angelica Perez

    This is a great list, Jessie! I would also emphasize having a good “about” page that clearly states what the website is about, goals, mission, etc., as well as the target audience. This is helpful both to readers and potential brands interested in partnerships or ads. I also think a good photograph of the blogger (in the about page or on the sidebar) is very helpful, depending on the nature of your blog.

    Reply

    • Jessie Nuez

      Hi Angelica!

      I’m very happy you liked it!

      I completely agree with all your points! All parts of a blog should work together – there has to be a simple fluidity to it.

      You bring up excellent points that will be covered in another article.

      No te me adelantes. =)

      Reply

  8. Ana Flores

    Just wanted to chime in that I am VERY excited that Jessie has joined the growing LBC team!! We really want all the info here to be helpful, inspiring and share-able!

    Thanks, Jessie!!!

    Reply

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