A website homepage is the main page visitors land on, and its job is to show them who you are and what to do next within a few seconds.
A good homepage has a hero section with a clear headline, simple navigation, a short line that explains what you do, one main call to action, social proof, and a footer. Below is exactly what to put on your homepage and how to build one, step by step.
What to Put on Your Homepage
Think of your homepage from top to bottom. Each part has a job, and together they move a visitor from "who is this?" to "I know what to do next." You do not need all of them on day one, but the best homepages cover most.
Logo and Branding
Your logo sits at the top of the page, usually on the left, and it is often the first thing people notice. It tells visitors whose site they are on and helps them remember you.
Make the logo link back to your home page, since most people expect that clicking it will take them home. Keep your colors and fonts the same across the whole page so the site feels like one brand, and check that the logo stays clear even at a small size on a phone.
A Clear Navigation Menu
The menu at the top lets people move around your site, so keep it short, with five to seven links at most. Label them by what visitors look for, like Work, an About page, and a Contact page, not by clever names only you understand.
Put your most important page first, and consider turning your main action, like Contact or Book, into a button so it stands out.
A sticky menu that stays visible as people scroll makes the site easier to use, and on a phone it should collapse into a simple menu icon. A crowded or confusing menu is one of the fastest ways to lose a visitor.
A Hero Section
The hero is the first big block people see, right at the top of the page, so it carries the most weight. It usually has one strong image or a short, muted video, a clear headline, and a button.
Your headline should say what you do in plain words within a second, not hide behind a clever slogan. Keep it short, lead with your best work or your main message, and place your primary button right here. A well-built hero section does most of the work of winning attention before anyone scrolls.
A Value Proposition
In one short line, say what you do, who you help, and why you are the right choice. Lead with what the visitor gets, not just what you do, so "Wedding photos you will want to frame" lands harder than "Capturing moments," and "Wedding photography in Chicago" is clearer than both.
Skip jargon and buzzwords, since a visitor should understand your site without guessing. A good home for this line is a subheadline just under your main headline, near the top of the page.
A Primary Call to Action
Every homepage needs one main action you want visitors to take, like "Book a call," "Shop now," or "Get in touch." Make it a clear button in a color that stands out from the rest of the page, and use action words so people know exactly what happens next.
Keep it to one main action so visitors are not pulled in five directions, then repeat that same button once lower down for people who scroll. A well-placed call to action is what turns a visitor into an enquiry, so never leave it hidden or vague.
Examples of Your Work
Show a few of your best projects, products, or services right on the homepage, because people want proof of what you can do before they reach out.
Pick your three to six strongest pieces rather than everything you have ever made, and use high-quality images. If you run a shop, lead with your bestsellers; if you offer a service, show your best results. Link each one to a fuller project or product page so interested visitors can go deeper.
The strongest portfolio website designs all put the work first, before anything else.
Social Proof
Add proof that other people trust you: reviews, testimonials, client logos, or simple numbers like "500 happy clients."
Use real names and photos where you can, since a specific quote from a named person is far more believable than a generic one.
For business clients, a row of recognizable company logos works well. These signals build trust faster than anything you can say about yourself, and the best homepages now place them high on the page, right after the hero, so visitors trust you before they scroll.
A Footer
The footer sits at the bottom of the page and acts as a safety net for anyone who scrolls all the way down looking for information. Include your contact details, social media links, and any copyright text.
It is also a good place for a short set of quick links, a newsletter signup, and your location or hours if they matter to your visitors.
A clear website footer is the first place many people look when they want to reach you, so do not leave it empty.
How to Create a Homepage: Step by Step
Step 1: Define Your Goal and Audience
Before you design anything, decide who the homepage is for and the one action you want them to take. A photographer wants bookings; a shop wants sales; a freelancer wants enquiries.
Write that goal down, because every choice you make later, from the headline to the button, should serve it. A homepage that tries to do everything usually does nothing well.
Step 2: Choose a Layout and Structure
Plan where each part goes before you build. A simple, proven order from top to bottom is a hero section, a short line about what you do, examples of your work, social proof, and a footer.
Sketch it out, even on paper, so you are not guessing as you build, and start with the phone layout, since most people will view it on mobile first. Keep only the sections that serve your goal, and leave off anything added just to fill space.
Step 3: Add Your Content and Visuals
Now add your headline, images, and text. Keep your writing short and easy to scan, using clear headings and short paragraphs, because people skim homepages rather than read them word for word.
Use real, high-quality photos of your work, your products, or yourself instead of generic stock images, since real images build more trust. A website builder lets you drag and drop each part into place without any code.
Step 4: Optimize for Conversions and Mobile
Make sure your main button stands out and your most important content sits near the top, where people notice it first. Then open the page on a phone, since most visitors arrive on mobile.
Aim to load in under two seconds, because a slow homepage loses visitors before they ever see your work, so compress your images and limit heavy animations.
An accessible homepage with readable text and strong color contrast reaches more people, and one that is optimized for search is easier to find. Before you publish, click every link and preview the page on a few devices to catch anything broken.
Common Homepage Mistakes to Avoid
A few homepage mistakes show up again and again:
- Too many actions. If you ask visitors to do five things, they do none. Pick one main call to action.
- A vague headline. "Welcome to my site" tells people nothing. Say what you do instead.
- Burying your work. Do not make people scroll forever to find what you offer. Put it near the top.
- A hidden contact link. Keep a clear way to reach you in both the menu and the footer.
- Slow, heavy images. Large files make the page load slowly, and visitors leave. Save your images at the right size.
- Too much text. A wall of words makes people leave. Use short lines, headings, and images to break it up.
The wider design rules behind a strong homepage, like layout, color, and spacing, are covered in full in our guide to website design.
Conclusion
A good homepage does not need to be complicated. It shows who you are, leads with your best work or message, and makes the next step easy to take. Start with one clear goal, cover the key elements above, and keep the design simple.
When you are ready to build, Pixpa gives you 200+ templates and a drag-and-drop editor to create your homepage without code.
FAQ
What should a website homepage include?
A website homepage should include a hero section with a clear headline, simple navigation, a short line that says what you do, one main call to action, examples of your work, social proof, and a footer with contact details. Together, these tell visitors who you are and what to do next.
What makes a good website homepage?
A good website homepage is clear, fast, and focused on one goal. It leads with your strongest message or image at the top, uses a simple menu, and guides the visitor toward one next step. If someone understands what you do within a few seconds, the homepage is working.
Where should the most important content go on a homepage?
Your most important content should go at the top of the page, in the area people view before they scroll, often called above the fold. This usually means your headline, a short line about what you do, and your main button. Put your strongest message here so no one misses it.
What makes a modern homepage in 2026?
A modern homepage in 2026 is clear, fast, and built for people, not for showing off effects. It leads with a plain headline that says what you do, puts social proof high on the page, loads in under two seconds, and works for everyone, including on mobile and for people who use screen readers. Clarity and speed matter more than chasing design trends.
What is the difference between a homepage and a landing page?
A homepage is the main page of your website, and it links out to the rest of your site. A landing page is a single, focused page built for one campaign or action, like a sign-up, with few or no other links. A homepage introduces everything; a landing page drives one specific goal.
How do I create a homepage without coding?
Use a website builder. It gives you ready-made templates and a drag-and-drop editor, so you can add your logo, images, text, and buttons without writing any code. You pick a layout, add your content, and publish.
What should a portfolio website homepage include?
A portfolio homepage should lead with your best work, usually one strong image or a small gallery, plus your name, a short line about what you do, and a clear way to hire you. Keep it simple so the work stays the focus. A portfolio website is built to keep your work at the center.