Accomplish One Thing

If you were only allowed one thing for visitors to do when they arrived at your site, what would it be? Purchase your product? Contact you for consulting work? Learn more about your organization? Whatever it is will stand out as the primary activity for your visitors. Use that one thing as the focal point for your site. Want to read more? Check out Goals - What is the Real Purpose of Your Website.

Synchronize Your Site

Harmony is essential for creating positive visitor experiences. Whether your site is formal, light-hearted or something in-between, be consistent with style. Using slang on a website that provides computer training would create conflicting impressions. Your intended reaction should be fondness not confusion. For even more great info, read The Secret is Consistency, by Mark Daoust.

Think Like A Visitor

Spend some time critiquing your favorite websites. How do these sites keep you as a return visitor? Consider your own target audience and their expectations for your site. Exceed those expectations and you will build connections that result in return visits.

Pictures are great if they are relevant to your messaging. Avoid loading up your homepage with stock images that will clutter your site, have nothing to do with your business or may take a long time to download. Instead of purchasing a random stock photo, use a product photo or get professional photos of your staff or activities. Here are some more tips on building an effective and attractive homepage:

The Home Page: Putting Your Best Foot Forward, By Mat Greenfield
Top Ten Guidelines for Homepage Usability, Jacob Nielsen
Helping Your Visitors: a State of Mind, by Nick Usborne