Your website is often the first impression potential customers will get of your company. Like the first three minutes of a podcast, the first few seconds of a TikTok, or an uninviting book cover, your website will determine how much time your prospect will spend time getting to know you.
This is why your website must not only be beautiful but compelling and effective. Here are the most important things your website should have to create a great first impression:

1. An appealing design that catches people’s attention
Your website’s design is the first thing people will notice, so it’s important to make sure it’s eye-catching and attractive. Use colors and imagery that are visually appealing and easy on the eyes, and avoid using too much text or loud design elements that can be confusing or overwhelming.
Make sure to add white space to your design. White space helps create a clean and uncluttered look that makes your website easier to read. Use appropriately sized fonts so that everything isn’t crammed together.
When choosing the font, look for two font types that go well together. Using at most three complementary fonts can make your text easier to understand. Avoid using too many different fonts, or your site will start to look chaotic and your readers wouldn’t know which pieces of information are most important. Some good pairs to try include serif and sans-serif fonts, or script and traditional fonts.
Your website should also be responsive, meaning it looks just as good on a mobile device as it does on a desktop computer. Most people will be accessing your website from their phones, so it’s important to make sure your website is optimized for mobile viewing.
2. Easy navigation so people can find what they need quickly
Your website’s navigation should be easy to understand and use. The last thing you want is for people to get lost on your website or not be able to find the information they’re looking for.
If your website has too many pages, consider adding a second or third-level dropdown menu to organize your navigation.
Make your content easy to digest by using headlines, subheadings, and short paragraphs. When people read any content online these days, they don’t actually read – they skim.
To capture the attention of your website visitors who’ll only scan your page. write thought-provoking, scroll-stopping headlines, and subheadings. Your paragraphs should be no longer than three lines.
3. High-resolution images of happy people
Having high-quality images on your website is essential for creating a positive first impression. So choose pictures that are bright and colorful, and that show happy and healthy people in positive situations.
Use high-quality images that look professional. Poor choices in photos can turn off your prospects, especially if they look fake or cheesy – even more so when the images are blurry or pixelated.
Aside from using high-resolution images, make sure that the photos you use are in the right size. Your images should load quickly when your visitors access your website.
4. A clear, succinct message
Your website is like your storefront. Make sure that it clearly tells your prospects who you are, what you do, and why they should care.
Communicate in clear, simple language what you offer and what you can do to help your prospects. This message should be placed prominently on your website so that visitors will see it as soon as they land on your page.
5. A call to action that tells your visitors what to do next
Your call to action (CTA) should be clear, simple, and easy to understand. A good CTA can compel your users to take the first step. This can be a button or a link that tells your visitors what to do next, such as sign up for your newsletter, download a free guide, book a call, or purchase your product.
Your website should have all the features it needs to make a great first impression. By following these tips, you can create a website that will help your business succeed.
P.S.
While your website design and layout are important, the words on your pages are just as critical.
Compelling website copy will keep visitors engaged and help you achieve your business goals. If you’re looking to improve your website copy, talk to me. I’d be happy to help. DM me on Instagram!