How should you design your homepage? That’s a question many yoga teachers and spiritual entrepreneurs struggle with. You know that the homepage represents your business and brand, more than any other page. So you want to get it right!
In this post I’m going to share with you the key elements to add to your homepage, that will help you convert your visitors into customers.
But first let’s look at what you want to achieve on your homepage:
Start by thinking about who visits your website. Someone who’s never been to a yoga class but would like to find out more? A student of you who want to check out upcoming events? A potential client who found you on social media and now would like to learn more about your next retreat?
Your job is to make it as easy as possible for your visitors to find the information they are looking for. And then to help them take the next step, for example book your retreat.
This doesn’t mean that you add anything and everything to your homepage that someone could be interested in.
No, no, nooo! Instead you need to be a little bit strategic. Here are the six elements you should add to your homepage so that it converts your visitors into customers.
#1 A prominent title section with a beautiful hero image
A big title section with a beautiful image of you, a strong headline and call-to-action is a great way to build engagement right from the start.
This was a big mistake I made on my first website! I didn’t have any photos of ME on my homepage and this was a really bad idea. If you want your website visitors to hire you, refer you or just to like your content, you need to give them a chance to get to know you.
When your visitors have a face to put with your name, you become much easier for them to remember. That, combined with some well-written content, starts to help them feel like they know you. It’ll also look way more professional right away.
Since my first website I invested in a few professional photo shoots and this is one of the most important steps I recommend you take when you start out. It really makes a difference.
Your headline should be engaging and “you” focused, not abstract. Here’s an example for a life coach:
Hi, I’m …. Let me work with you to achieve your biggest goals and dreams.
Finally, your call-to-action. A call-to-action is just that – a statement designed to get your visitor to take action and click. You could invite them for example to subscribe, browse products, learn more about you or direct them to your teaching schedule.
The best phrases for a call-to-action are brief and use strong verbs. Like these examples:
- Live your journey
- Discover your best life
- Join our tribe
- Book your next adventure
#2 Sign-up to your email list
You always want to add a sign-up form for your newsletter to your homepage. It doesn’t have to be right below your title section, but it should be prominently placed.
Social media is great, but the true power to grow your business lies in your email list. You don’t really own your social media follower, but you own your email subscribers and it pays to grow your list right from the start.
This is another huge mistake I made on my first website, I started building my email list way too late. Don’t make the same mistake!
You can also add a popup, but I recommend having a sign-up form that’s actually on your page as well.
Here’s an example how to promote a freebie that you offe as an incentive for signing up to your list:
Or you can have a more traditional sign-up form:
Whatever you do, please don’t simply say “Sign up for my newsletter”. You need to give people a reason to sign up to your list. If you don’t have a freebie try to make your copy more engaging and exciting.
#3 A welcome message
A welcome message that tells people what you’re doing and how you can help them is a great way of introducing yourself to your website visitors.
The idea is to think about your offerings as a solution to your prospective students’ problems. Make it about them, not only about you.
Even better if you add a video of yourself, too! Videos are great to build trust and people will feel like they know you, even if they’ve never met you face to face.
#4 Featured sections with highlighted offerings
You always want to make it as easy as possible for your website visitors to find what they are looking for.
So, are you teaching yoga in a local yoga studio? Are you offering private yoga classes? Do you have online videos? If your answer is yes, tell your homepage visitors about it! Don’t expect them to hunt for information by visiting every single page on your website.
I recommend adding three featured sections advertising the most important destinations on your website, for your visitors.
#5 Upcoming events
If you’re offering events – like workshops, retreats or trainings – you definitely want to promote them on your homepage, don’t just hide them on an event page.
In my course Blissful Websites I show you how to set up the free plugin “the event calendar” to manage your events. If you have a WordPress website, check it out.
#6 Testimonials
Word of mouth recommendations and reviews from other real people go a long way in building trust.
I recommend adding two or three of your best reviews on your homepage to add social proof. Your testimonials should show images if possible, to make them more personal and real.
#7 Your latest blog posts
This is optional, but if you have a blog display your latest blog posts on your homepage.
Finally, add your own twist
Don’t be afraid to divert from the formula and add your own, unique twist and infuse your homepage with your personality.
Here are some examples:
- Is your brand colorful and exciting? Use bold colors and playful designs on your homepage.
- Do you share a lot of in-depth content? You can add more extensive text sections to your homepage.
- Do you create a lot of video content? Feature a video on your homepage (or even multiple videos throughout the page).
- Do you have a podcast? Add a section featuring your latest or most popular episodes.
