Have you ever wondered how your home page is like Thanksgiving dinner? Wonder no longer. It’s simple; elements of quality web design are just like Thanksgiving dishes. There’s a main course, the side dishes that are the actual star of the meal, side dishes that nobody likes, and dessert.
You can attract customers to your business by presenting them with an appetizing online presence just like you can attract family members to your house with the promise of great food.
Rolls
The Hero section on your home page is the rolls. Sure, anybody can put it together in theory, or purchase something pre-made, but you can always tell when it’s made by someone with experience. Hero sections should include crisp graphics, a flavorful tagline, and a Call to Action that’s just the right mix of savory and sweet. All of these elements together create a great introduction to both your site and your Thanksgiving meal. Even better, when the Hero section loads quickly, it’s like adding butter to enhance what’s already there.
Turkey
Intuitive navigation is the turkey. The main purpose of your home page is to lead potential customers to a second page. Just like a great roast turkey, it’s not necessarily everyone’s favorite thing on the table, but everyone notices if it’s not there. Navigation menus that make sense to the end-user are critical in providing a great customer experience.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes can be likened to content. It’s the dish that holds everything else up! Your content, whether that’s the services you provide or the products you sell, should be front and center on your home page. It should be obvious to the end-user exactly what you do or sell, and how the customer can partake. As with content, mashed potatoes should be easily accessible to everyone at the table, because they are the best part of the meal.
Gravy
In addition to mashed potatoes, you’ll also need gravy – or good copy – on your home page. Copywriting is an art form, and it’s important that your home page is using copy that helps bring in leads. Sure, you can have your content without worrying too much about copy, but it certainly won’t be as tasty.
Green Bean Casserole
Pop-Ups, specifically those that display within five seconds on the home page and cover the entire screen, are green bean casserole. Nobody actually wants these and green bean casserole is one of the worst Thanksgiving dishes. I will not be taking questions.
Stuffing
Stuffing, traditionally made with cubed bread pieces, can be made with a variety of seasoning and ingredients. Just like stuffing, client and customer testimonials can come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors too! While reviews on your home page aren’t a necessity, it definitely gives credibility to your online business – like how stuffing makes a Thanksgiving meal feel complete – even if this dish isn’t a fan favorite.
Dessert
At the end of the home page is the dessert – the contact information. Not everyone will partake, but the ones that do should leave satisfied. Your website shouldn’t only function as a landing page for your business – it should be helping you gain new business! After scrolling to the bottom of the home page, your end-users should be rewarded for their hard work with the ability to easily learn more by contacting your business.
Quality over Quantity
Everyone who comes to your home for a Thanksgiving meal – or everyone who visits your website – isn’t going to think that your dinner is the best dinner ever. That’s not realistic thinking. However, ensuring that your website is functional in bringing in new customers is all about quality over quantity. After all, it’s better to have a few really great friends and family members come to your dinner – and actually enjoy it – than invite a bunch of strangers who only bring green bean casseroles.
