How to Make a Blog Homepage Captivating
Your homepage is typically the VERY first impression that someone gets of your blog. As I’ve said before, you literally only have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention when they visit your website and the page that people are most likely to start on is the home page. Therefore, you need your home page to be ALL THE WAY on point when someone visits it. It’s the place where someone will first learn what they will get of your blog, who you are, and what you can offer them.
I cannot tell you the number of blogs that I’ve seen that completely waste this chance to make a great first impression by having a blog home page that is scattered, unfocused, and that isn’t well thought out. If you’ve noticed that a lot of your blog visitors hit the first page on your website and then bounce (hence the term bounce rate), then you need to make sure you have these seven things up to par on your blog homepage. These things will take you from having a good home page to a great home page that people are captivated by.
1. Have a prominent call-to-action
A “call-to-action” is what you want someone to do once they visit your page. Yes, you want them to visit your blog and read your posts, but what’s the goal after that? Essentially, blogs are only content marketing. Content marketing is the art of creating pretty and useful content that will entice people to take further action by making a purchase, signing up for an email list, etc.
Your blog call-to-action will depend on your specific blogging goals. So be sure to take some time to get some clarity on what your goals are before doing this. Once you have decided, be sure your main call-to-action is displayed boldly on your home page. Oftentimes, call-to-actions for bloggers would be a newsletter signup form, links to affiliate products to encourage people to purchase, etc.
2. Use your best, high quality photography
Photos are communicating a WHOLE lot on your blog without even using words. Your photos will show how serious you are about the content you are offering and if your photos are quality and you’re showing that you’re taking your blog seriously, then other people are more likely to take your blog seriously.
“Photos are communicating a WHOLE lot on your blog without even using words.”
People can immediately tell the difference in a blog that’s intentional and done with care by the photo quality. Be sure your home page has the BEST photos to showcase your content in the best light!
3. Clearly show what your blog is about
Now, I know, I used to be a lifestyle blogger, but I tried to do so in a way that wasn’t too scattered around with too many different topics. I tried to keep it around 4 or 5 topics, at the most. This was done for a reason. People want to understand what kind of goodies they are in for if they stick around on your blog, as soon as they land on your page. If they get to your homepage, and it’s SUPER random, they will get confused and they won’t be too compelled to stick around because it will be too hard for them to understand WHY they should stick around.
“People want to understand what kind of goodies they are in for, as soon as they land on your homepage.”
Make it easy and clear for people to understand what they will be getting from your blog on the home page.
4. Categorize your blog posts
Categorizing your blog posts is one of the best ways to do #3. By segmenting your blog posts into categories, you make it easy for people to understand which topics you are covering. You also make it easy for them to navigate to the topic that interest them. Categories keep things organized and helps your blog look more professional.
5. Include only the first few blog posts in your feed
Include the first few posts in your blog feed on your home page. This is a given, but I still have to mention it. There’s no need to put your entire blog feed on the homepage, but at least include the first few posts. You want to give an adequate preview, but you also don’t want a homepage that scrolls on and on forever.
6. Include a photo of you
Include a photo of you to make it welcoming. It’s great to put a face with a name and a face with a blog, in this case. This is especially true of you’re not a fashion or beauty blogger and your photos aren’t really necessary for your content. Having a photo of you on the homepage makes it easier for people to connect with you from the beginning, instead of having to click on your about page to see who’s behind the blog.
7. Include your social media links
You definitely need links to your social media accounts on your blog home page, too. These help show that you are legit because you have a presence in other places on the web and not only on your own website.
So what are some of the things that you feel have helped you to create a good, captivating home page for your blog? Please share them in the comments below!
