The best home page is meant to engage or interest your new found visitor.  Your Home page should quickly convey what you do.  There must be a balance between an efficient delivery of this message and overcrowding.

Keep in mind, the average reader will make a decision to stay or leave your website in less than 3 seconds.  When you don’t like a website, how fast do you leave?

Here are a few tips on how to create an engaging Home page.

“Curb Appeal”

Just as the front door of your house makes a statement of your home, the Home page should give an overall reflection of you and your practice.

Be concise.  Avoid the temptation to list every disease you treat and every procedure you perform.  Stick the core services you provide.  While you intend to show off your sophistication and medical expertise by creating a comprehensive list, instead you are distracting your readers by making them read and overcrowding the most important webpage of our site.

Instead of being impressed, your readers will “bounce” or click away.

For instance, a general ophthalmology office might choose to emphasize the cataract surgery, laser vision correction (e.g. LASIK) and an optical shop.  Other pages will focus on diseases of the retina, glaucoma treatments and contact lenses.

Graphic Design

This may be the only time you might consider the help of a graphic designer.

A graphic designer will aid in visually engaging your reader by drawing attention to and creating your main message.  Remember, too, that your website should be mobile responsive and your Home page will look differently on various sized screens.

Your graphic designer may also help with creating a logo (if you need one) and assist with branding.  In many cases your web designer may have design experience.

Home Page Must Engage

The purpose of the Home page is to engage your reader, that’s it.

Your Home page should encourage your reader to stay on your website and learn more about you.  The next most important page is your About page.

If you have questions or comments regarding the construction of a Home page, please write below.