Eight things you must have on your homepage

Here are eight simple and easy things to include on your homepage of your website. The easier you make it for visitors to navigate your site, the better.

There are not in any specific order of importance:

1. You want to make the navigation on the website as simple as possible.

A navigation bar is number one. Make sure that what you have there are items that people want to find when they go to your website. That is why it is best to know your niche really well.

2. A Clear Message

The message needs to be clear as to what your website or brand is all about. What is it you want to help people with? What is it that you strive to do for them? People always believe always want to know what is in it for them.

3. Call to Action

You want to get people to click on something, or sign up for a mailing list. This is where you create a button or area on your page that stands out and allows people to notice it.

4. Proof that your product works

As an affiliate, it is always good to promote something that has social proof already. Look for testimonials and reviews online. Most people don't want to try something unless someone else did it first. It gives them a little more comfort and trust in the product.

5. Social Media Icons

Social Media is one place where people hang out online. If they see that you have a Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest or a site they know, they are more likely to check it out. On the Social Media site or page you have dedicated to your brand, you should be interacting socially more than promoting. When they realize you are about community rather than sell sell sell, they can open up a little more and feel comfortable with you.

6. Contact Me Page

People always want to get in touch with the website owners. One of the warning signs of a site that is selling something that may be a scam is there is not way to contact the site. People are warned to steer clear of this and not trust them. So make sure you have a way for people to get in touch with you.

7. Fresh Content that is always updated and current

Search engines love to see websites that are updating their content on a regular basis. It looks better for you, and again will build trust with your audience. People do not want to see old content that never changes.

8. Helpful links in your Footer area.

Your footer area is another place that will help people navigate your site. You can have a site map, and links to your pages and other useful information that is not displayed right on the front page in plain sight.

I hope this helps to make your website inviting and extremely helpful to others who are visiting.

Amanda