Web site review: 5 must-have elements on the home page of your Web site

                              Flying bills

Web sites are the major calling card in today’s cyberspace.

If you don’t have a Web site, you barely exist.

And if you have a Web site that doesn’t make it easy for people to say yes to your brand, book or business, you might as well not exist.

Am I being harsh? Perhaps. But I want to jar people into paying attention. Because in most cases a few little tweaks can make a big difference – without requiring a major overhaul.

In the last week I’ve advised someone to drop her splash page – nowadays people want to see what you have on offer immediately; they don’t want to first wade through your splash page. (Yes, trends regarding Web sites do change, and splash pages are OUT.)

I’ve also advised someone not to start promoting his friend’s book author Web site until a few simple tweaks are performed. (A BUY button prominently featured being a major lack on this particular site.)

Here then are the 5 must-have elements, in my opinion, on the home page of your Web site:

1. A prominently displayed “tagline” – what you have on offer. (Book authors note: This includes whether your book is fiction or nonfiction.)

2. Black type on white background for the body text. (And in a type size large enough for people over 40 to read easily.)

3. A clearly displayed BUY button if you’re selling anything.

4. An email opt-in box at the top right or top left.

5. Your name if you’re a sole entrepreneur or book author “above the fold” (before a visitor has to scroll down the page).

There are other easy-to-remedy elements to make your Web site more effective. If you want advice on what can be done for your Web site without a major overhaul, see our new Web site review service.

© 2009 Miller Mosaic, LLC

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