Computer and Web Articles

Question:

Hi Erin. I noticed that in your latest column in the Summit Daily, you admonished people not to use “Welcome to” on their website. And since I have “Welcome to Frisco, Colorado” at the top of the text on my home page, it would seem that you think I should change that. If so, let me know what you think I should replace it with.

– Dave Owens, Frisco CO

Answer:

I do believe it would be a good idea to update that text.

I recommend giving consideration to the following questions; they can help you keep on track. The content I’d ultimately recommend you use on your home page would be strongly influenced by your answers.

1. What do my site’s visitors truly care about?
2. What problems or challenges are my site’s visitors likely looking to solve when they arrive at my home page?
3. Do potential clients arriving at my site for the first time already have a clear understanding of the various services and/or products I offer?
4. What makes me unique? Can I (concisely!) convey this uniqueness and explain why potential clients should use my services and/or products instead of my competitors’?
5. Do my current clients have any reason to visit my site? If so, what type of home page content might be helpful to them?

The short answer to your great question, Dave, is this: Welcome your site’s visitors with information they’ll find helpful or compelling (or both). Focus on placing content your visitors care about at the top of your homepage and you won’t need to use fluffy, unhelpful statements like “Welcome to our site!”