Website Homepage Essentials: What to Include to Keep Visitors Engaged
By Admin   21 May, 2025

Website Homepage Essentials: What to Include to Keep Visitors Engaged

Your homepage is the first place many people land when they visit your website.
What you show them within the first few seconds can decide whether they stay or leave.

So, what should you put on your homepage to make it count?

Let’s walk through the essentials.

1. Clear Headline That Says What You Do

Don’t try to sound clever. Just be clear.

Visitors should understand what your business offers within five seconds of landing on your site.

  • Avoid jargon.
  • Use plain, direct language.
  • Mention who you help and how.

Example:
“Affordable Web Design Services for Small Businesses in Kenya” is much better than “Building Tomorrow’s Digital Solutions.”

2. Subheadline That Explains the Benefit

Follow up your main headline with a short subheadline that highlights the benefit of choosing you.

Keep it simple and focused on what the visitor gets.

For example:
“We build mobile-friendly websites that help your business get more leads.”

3. Call to Action (CTA)

Every homepage should guide the visitor to act. What do you want them to do?

  • Call you?
  • Request a quote?
  • Book a demo?
  • Browse your shop?

Use buttons like:

  • Get a Free Quote
  • Book a Consultation
  • Shop Now

Place CTAs high on the page and repeat them as people scroll.
A good web developer will make sure your CTAs stand out without being annoying.

4. Visuals That Support Your Message

Photos and graphics help people understand what you do. But avoid generic stock photos.

Use:

  • Photos of your actual products or work
  • Team photos
  • Screenshots if you’re offering services like web applications or software

A cleaning company might show its staff in action.
A tour firm could use photos from real trips around Kenya.

5. Brief Intro About Who You Are

Tell people what makes your company worth their time.

But keep it short. A few lines will do.

Include:

  • What you do
  • Where you're based
  • What makes you a good choice

Example:
“We’re a Nairobi-based web design agency helping startups and SMEs build modern, mobile-friendly websites that convert visitors into customers.”

6. Key Services or Products

Highlight your main services or categories.

Use icons or images with short descriptions.

Example:

  • Custom Web Design
    • We design websites that load fast and work on all devices.
  • USSD App Development
    • Reach offline users with easy-to-use USSD applications.
  • Payments Integration
    • Add M-Pesa, card, or bank payments to your online platform.

Make it easy for users to click through and learn more.

7. Testimonials or Client Feedback

People want proof. If others trust you, they’re more likely to do the same.

Add short reviews from actual clients. Even two or three is enough to build trust.

Better if you can include:

  • Name or initials
  • Company name
  • A small photo (if they agree)

8. Social Proof or Trust Badges

Have you worked with known companies? Are you a certified provider?

Add:

  • Logos of clients you’ve served (with permission)
  • Awards or certifications
  • Partner badges

This builds credibility fast, especially in competitive industries like real estate, finance, and e-commerce.

9. Navigation That’s Easy to Use

Your homepage should give a clear path to the rest of the site.

Use a simple top menu. Keep the number of items low. Prioritize the pages people want to visit first.

Must-have links:

  • About
  • Services or Products
  • Contact
  • Blog (if you have one)

If you serve local markets, make sure your “Contact” page includes your physical location and working hours.

10. Mobile-Friendly Layout

Many visitors in Kenya use mobile devices to access websites.

Test your homepage on a phone. Is it:

  • Easy to scroll?
  • Clear to read?
  • Simple to click buttons?

Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test can help you check.
A skilled web designer can make sure your homepage looks and works well on all screen sizes.

11. Fast Loading Speed

Slow websites lose visitors.

To speed things up:

  • Compress large images
  • Use lightweight fonts
  • Avoid unnecessary animations or autoplay videos

You can test your speed using PageSpeed Insights.
If your site scores poorly, ask your developer to optimize it without cutting out key features.

12. Lead Capture Section

If you want leads, ask for them—without being pushy.

Offer something of value in exchange for contact info:

  • A free guide
  • A discount
  • A free quote or consultation

Keep the form short. Name, email, and one question are usually enough.

Does Your Homepage Answer the Right Questions?

When someone visits your homepage, they’re probably thinking:

  • “What does this business do?”
  • “Can they help me?”
  • “Why should I choose them?”
  • “How do I contact them?”

Make sure your homepage answers all of these quickly and clearly.

If it doesn’t, you’re probably losing leads.

Need help building a homepage that works?

Work with a top-rated web design company in Nairobi that builds custom websites designed to convert visitors into customers. From clean layouts to payments integration and mobile-ready web development, we’ll help you make your homepage work harder for your business.