Before you start working on creating your website, either by yourself or via a web designer, it helps to have a clear plan.
In this post we will go through the different sections of your website. Get a pen and paper ready!
Navigation
What menu items will you feature in the top nav?
You won’t normally list all your pages in the top navigation of your site, so have a think about the most important pages, the ones that will move your visitor through the content in the way you want.
Main call to action
What do you want the visitor to do first?
The top right section of your website is prime real estate for a call to action button with the most important action they can take. If they did nothing else when landing on your site but click this button, what would you like them to do? Some examples are:
- Call you
- Shop latest collection
- Book an appointment
- Email you
- Book a call
Above the fold
Above the fold is a term meaning the area that is seen without scrolling when you first land on a website. It has become tricker to determine exactly what that is now that there are so many different sizes of screens, but the main point is to have your most important message at the top of your website, and a call to action.
There is normally an enticing image here, an easy to understand blurb that explains what you do, and a button to take the visitor to the next step.
What image or illustration will you use here?
Foolproof tip: Make it something that relates to what you do, includes humans and is positive.
Add your easy to understand blurb
Foolproof tip: Make this a sentence or two max, and finish it with a call to action, preferable in a button so it’s clear for the visitor that this is what the next step is.
Selling your product or service
Your website should be an employee that never takes a day off, always wears a smile and is forever singing your praises.
Foolproof tip: List the How, What and Why of your product or service on the front page.
The How
List the benefits of your product or service. How will you solve the customer’s problem?
The What
List the features. What does your service or product do?
The Why
List the ways you will build trust. Why should they choose you?
Introductory text
Slight negative – concentrate on the problem
Introduce the solution – how will you solve the problem?
Positive image
What will their life be like after they have engaged your services/product? Short blurb.
Testimonials
Who can you ask for a testimonial? Can they do a video? Do you have a picture of them?
Your step by step process
In 3-6 steps, explain how working with you or using your product works.
Blog posts / Articles
Will you feature blog posts on the homepage? Do they need creating?
Footer
What additional info will you feature here?
Social Media
What social media platforms will you feature, if any? In icons, or a feed?
Opt-in
Will you feature an opt in on the front page? Does this need creating?
Other pages
Some common pages are:
- About page
- Contact page
- Services pages
- Testimonials
- Blog page
- Portfolio
- Products/Shop
- Legal/Terms
- Sales page/s
