5 Steps to Creating a Home Page That Stops Clients in Their Tracks
Without knowing how to design a compelling home page, you risk losing potential clients before they even scroll down. Instead of capturing their attention, you may end up with a site that feels generic, unclear, or disconnected from the needs of your ideal audience.
But don’t worry friend! I got you!
With time, study and a lot of patience, I’ve identified exactly what makes a homepage successful—and what pitfalls to avoid.
We’ll cover everything from crafting an irresistible hero banner to optimizing your call-to-action. By the time you finish Step 5, you’ll feel confident in creating a homepage that reflects your expertise and attracts your ideal clients.
Want extra help defining your brand? Get immediate access to my free SPARK Brand Strategy Mini-Course here 👇🏼.
AIGHT….. LET’S GO!
Step 1: Craft a Scroll-Stopping Hero Banner
The hero banner—also known as the section “above the fold”—is the first thing visitors see when they land on your website. This space is prime real estate for capturing attention and making an instant connection.
What Makes a Great Hero Banner?
A Clear and Engaging Headline: Your headline should speak directly to your ideal client and their needs. Avoid generic phrases like “Welcome to My Practice”, or “Find Peace” and instead try something specific, like:
“Declutter Your Life, Reclaim Your Space.”
A Subheadline That Builds on Your Headline: This can briefly highlight who you help and what you specialize in.
Example: “Compassionate therapy to help you build a sense of order and create a home and life that feels peaceful and manageable.”
A Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Your CTA should tell visitors exactly what to do next, whether it’s booking a consultation, calling your office, or learning more.
Example: “Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Consult Now.”
Pro-Tip: Notice the headline and subheadline is very specific. This is why it is important to understand your target audience and the niche population you want to work with. When you understand your niche and have a target audience, writing website copy that attracts them becomes a breeze!
Step 2: Make the Hero Banner Relevant to Your Audience
Your hero banner isn’t about you—it’s about your clients. The copy should speak to their pain points, desires, and goals. Think of it as your chance to say, “I see you, and I can help.”
How to Do This:
Identify their main challenges. For example, if you specialize in anxiety therapy, focus on how your services can help clients feel calmer and more in control.
Offer a solution. Your hero banner should immediately answer the question, “What’s in it for me?”
Example: “Overcome anxiety and rediscover peace—without the overwhelm.”
What to Avoid:
Jargon-heavy language that confuses visitors.
Focusing too much on yourself instead of the client.
Pro Tip: Not sure what resonates? Think about the clients you’ve worked with and the language they use to describe their struggles and goals. Incorporating their words can make your message feel more relatable.
Need help clarifying your audience’s needs? CLICK to get access to my FREE SPARK Brand Strategy Mini-Course.
Step 3: Include These Must-Have Elements in Your Hero Banner
Every scroll-stopping hero banner should include these core elements:
Headline: A clear, benefit-driven statement that speaks directly to your ideal client’s needs.
Subheadline: A secondary statement that provides context or expands on your headline.
Call-to-Action (CTA): A direct and actionable button or link.
Visuals: Use a photo that reflects the goals your ideal clients want to achieve, an image related to your services, an image of yourself (but don’t overdo the self portraits all over the site), or clean graphics to reinforce your brand.
Navigation Links: Make sure your header menu is simple and easy to use. Don’t overload your menu with too many choices.
Example Layout:
Headline: “Healing After Loss: Find Hope and Strength After Miscarriage.”
Subheadline: “Supportive, compassionate therapy for women navigating the heartache of loss, helping you find peace and rebuild your life one step at a time.”
CTA Button: “Schedule Your Free Consult.”
Step 4: Keep It Simple and Clean
When designing your hero banner, less is more. Overloading it with too much text, too many colors, or distracting visuals can confuse visitors and reduce your website’s impact.
How to Keep It Simple:
Use plenty of white space to keep the focus on your message.
Choose a minimal color palette that reflects your brand.
Limit the text to a headline, subheadline, and one CTA.
What to Avoid:
Cluttered designs with multiple fonts or busy backgrounds.
Long paragraphs of text. Save those for lower sections of your homepage.
Pro Tip: Look at your hero banner on both desktop and mobile. Ensure it’s responsive and looks great on any screen size.
Step 5: Test, Refine, and Optimize
Once your hero banner is live, don’t stop there! Testing and refining your banner can help you see what resonates most with your audience and improve your results.
How to Test Your Hero Banner:
A/B Testing: Try different headlines or CTAs to see which gets more clicks.
Check Your Analytics: Track metrics like time spent on the page and bounce rates to measure your banner’s effectiveness.
Ask for Feedback: Show your hero banner to friends, colleagues, or trusted clients and ask for their impressions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Ignoring Analytics: If you’re not tracking performance, you’re missing out on valuable insights.
Set-It-and-Forget-It Syndrome: Regularly update your banner to reflect your current services or promotions.
Inconsistent Branding: Ensure your hero banner aligns with the rest of your website.
Bonus Tip: Personalize Your Call-to-Action
A generic CTA like “Learn More” is easy to ignore. Instead, use action-driven language that makes it clear what your visitor will gain by clicking. Examples include:
“Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Consult.”
“Get Started on Your Path to Healing.”
“Download Your Free Anxiety Relief Guide.”
Pro Tip: Make your CTA button stand out by using a contrasting color from your site’s main palette.
Wrapping It Up
Your hero banner is the most important section of your homepage. It’s your first impression, your elevator pitch, and your opportunity to connect with potential clients—all rolled into one.
Key Takeaways:
Craft a headline and subheadline that speak directly to your ideal client’s needs.
Keep the design simple, clean, and visually appealing.
Include essential elements like a strong CTA and responsive visuals.
Test and refine your banner to ensure it’s delivering the results you want.
Ready to make your homepage the ultimate client magnet? Start with a solid brand strategy!
Get immediate access to my free SPARK Brand Strategy Mini-Course and start building a homepage that converts today.
Until next time,
Chrystal Renee’