The essentials to have on your home page

The home page is often the first thing visitors discover when they land on your ecommerce site. This is a perfect opportunity to make a good first impression and turn a passing visitor into a loyal customer. However, the question remains, what elements should you integrate to optimize this essential page? Without further ado, here is a list of the essentials to have on your home page to dazzle your visitors.

Make way for what's new 

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get your visitors' attention is to highlight what's new in your online store. The new products bring a feeling of dynamism and freshness to your home page. 

On PrestaShop, you can easily configure a new product presentation module. Make sure this section is clearly visible, ideally at the top of the page or in a scrolling banner.

Let's take the example of an online clothing store. Highlighting the latest collections on the home page can make visitors want to know more about your brand.

Attract attention with promotions

Promotions are still a great way to encourage purchases. Clearly displaying special offers, discounts, and promotions on the home page helps to capture visitors' attention. 

For example, an attractive banner that advertises a 20% discount on summer products (for a limited time) can cause a sense of urgency and boost impulse purchases.

There are many specific modules for displaying promotions, whether in the form of banners, pop-ups, or dedicated sections.

Highlight values you care about

Today's consumers are increasingly concerned about the values of the brands they interact with. This concern is shared by all generations, but in varying proportions. 

Tinuiti's study shows that a brand's values strongly influence Gen Z's purchasing decisions—74% of respondents this age take them into account. These considerations also concern 69% of millennials, 63% of Gen Xers, and 60% of baby boomers. So do not miss the opportunity that your home page provides to communicate the values of your online store. 

These values can take the form of commitments to sustainability or social responsibility, for example. 

The importance of intuitive navigation

Clear and intuitive navigation is essential to provide a good user experience. The navigation bar should be well organized, with logical categories and subcategories. 

Remember to include links to your most important pages. Product categories, special offers, and shipping information are good examples of pages to highlight.

Using dropdown menus is a good idea to allow users to quickly access all sections of your ecommerce site. A prominent search function can also greatly improve the user experience.

Competitive advantages: What makes you different from the rest?

Highlight what makes your store unique. Whether it's free shipping, fast delivery times, excellent customer service, or exclusive products. All of these benefits should be clearly visible on your home page. 

A section entitled “Why choose our store?” can, for example, list benefits such as “free shipping on orders over $50,” “shipping in 48 hours,” or “customer service in French available by phone.” 

Testimonials and reviews: Let your customers speak

Customer reviews and testimonials are elements of social proof that reassure new visitors about the quality of your products and services. Integrating a customer reviews section directly on the home page can reassure your visitors and encourage purchases.

Displaying testimonials from satisfied customers with photos and ratings can have an even more significant impact. There are many customer feedback modules to facilitate this integration on your ecommerce site.

Get your visitors to take action with CTAs 

Well-placed calls to action (CTAs) are essential to direct your visitors to purchase. Use clear, attractive buttons to prompt users to “Check Out What's New,” “Take Advantage of Promotions,” or “Sign Up for the Newsletter.” 

These CTAs must be strategically placed to maximize their effectiveness. You can also deploy A/B testing and use CTAs of different sizes, colors, and contents to determine what works best for your online store. 

High-quality visual content

High-quality images and videos capture attention and can significantly improve the user experience. Content of this type also strengthens your visitors' confidence in your online store. 

An infographic from MDG reveals that 67% of consumers say that the quality of a product's image is very important in their purchase decision. The quality of a product's image is even more important than its description for 65% of consumers. 

Use professional visuals to showcase your products, your team, or tutorials. Image carousels or explainer videos can also make your home page more dynamic and engaging.

Conclusion

A well-thought-out home page is crucial in order to capture the attention of your visitors and convert them into loyal customers. By integrating all the essential elements mentioned in this article, you can optimize your home page to offer an exceptional user experience and boost your sales. Remember that every detail counts! A successful first impression, in the ecommerce world as in life, is often a pillar of success.