NorthPoint Domain

A Great First Impression by Design: Your Home Page

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your home page does just that — creates a first impression for new visitors to your site. A well-designed and implemented home page attracts consumers, patients, and referrers, effectively promoting and marketing your organization. Incorporating even a few of the following best practices will help your organization put its best foot forward.

  • Include your organization's contact information so visitors do not have to search for it.
  • Structure your home page so visitors can find the information and services they need quickly and easily.
  • Use images to add visual appeal and supplement — or replace — text. Images can help you tell your story more powerfully. For example, create a slideshow of rotating images to emphasize important aspects of your organization such as cutting-edge technology, your warm and friendly staff, or satisfied patients.
  • Place navigation elements on the top of the screen to help guide visitors to the most important information or pages.
  • For secondary items, place navigation elements on the left side of the screen.
  • Label tabs clearly, so that visitors know exactly what they will find in that section.
  • Provide visitors with multiple ways to access information. Some repetition is good, as each user will navigate the website differently.
  • Choose light background colors to help users avoid eye fatigue.
  • Place important content toward the top of the screen so visitors do not have to scroll down to read it.
  • Include multimedia elements, such as video clips of patient testimonials, which can help make an emotional connection in a way that text cannot.
  • Include links to interactive features, such as risk calculators.
  • Strive for form and function. Your home page does more than one thing. It welcomes visitors and gives them a sense of who you are, but it also serves as the starting point for visitors to explore the rest of your site. It needs to be attractive but easy to navigate.
  • Regularly review and update your home page. Infusing your home page with fresh content will keep users engaged as well as help enhance your search placement.

To learn more about website design and development, click here