Effective homepage

Several elements are essential to an effective homepage, but here are three of the most important:

1. Design. It should be pleasant on the eye and easy to read. Don't bog your homepage down with lots of pictures, words or flashy animation. Use your logo (for branding consistency), a photograph of yourself (for personality), some copy about what you do and maybe a well-placed testimonial.

Want to post product shots or examples of your work? Do so sparingly, or use interior pages. More than anything about your homepage, keep it simple. White space is good.

2. Content. Your page should answer the visitor's question, "How can you help me?" You should know the challenges your visitors face, or the products they're seeking. Your message should show that you have, and/or are, the solution.

3. Key words. Face it, search engines are critical to an effective Internet presence. All the copy on your home page should include the key words germane to your industry that prospective visitors would use to search for you.