Search

08 May 2024

Fundamental Principles of Homepage Design

The well renowned UX consultancy Nielsen Norman Group crafted these fundamental principles of homepage design building on the seminal work of one of its founders, Jakob Nielsen. Adhering to these principles ensures that your homepage is simple and easy to access, communicates the organization’s and site’s purpose, shows engaging content, and prompts users to take action.

Make sure to check out the source article to delve deeper into these principles and see how they can be applied in practice.

Source: Homepage Design: 5 Fundamental Principles

Nielsen Norman Group

UX concultancy

The principles

  1. Ensure Easy Access to the Homepage
    • Ensure every page includes both implicit and explicit links to the homepage.
    • Use a simple and predictable URL for your site.
    • Signpost your homepage by making it visually distinct from other pages.
  2. Communicate Who You Are and What You Do
    • Display the company name and logo prominently in the top left corner of the homepage.
    • Include a tagline that explicitly conveys what your site or company does.
    • Emphasize the unique value your site brings to your users, as well as how it differentiates from competitors.
    • Ensure that featured imagery accurately reflects your brand.
  3. Reveal Content Through Examples
    • Place the most important content above the fold, and lead users down the page when there is more content to see.
    • Provide specific examples of your site's content.
  4. Prompt Actions and Navigations
    • Include clear, descriptive link labels that resonate with your users.
    • Emphasize high-priority tasks with a clear visual hierarchy.
    • Locate primary navigation in a highly noticeable place.
  5. Keep Homepages Simple
    • Opt for simple, standard homepage designs.
    • Minimize motion and animation.
    • Provide immediate access to content.
    • Avoid popup windows and splash screens unless legally required.

1. Ensure Easy Access to the Homepage

  • Ensure every page includes both implicit and explicit links to the homepage.
  • Use a simple and predictable URL for your site.
  • Signpost your homepage by making it visually distinct from other pages.

2. Communicate Who You Are and What You Do

  • Display the company name and logo prominently in the top left corner of the homepage.
  • Include a tagline that explicitly conveys what your site or company does.
  • Emphasize the unique value your site brings to your users, as well as how it differentiates from competitors.
  • Ensure that featured imagery accurately reflects your brand.

3. Reveal Content Through Examples

  • Place the most important content above the fold, and lead users down the page when there is more content to see.
  • Provide specific examples of your site's content.

4. Prompt Actions and Navigations

  • Include clear, descriptive link labels that resonate with your users.
  • Emphasize high-priority tasks with a clear visual hierarchy.
  • Locate primary navigation in a highly noticeable place.

5. Keep Homepages Simple

  • Opt for simple, standard homepage designs.
  • Minimize motion and animation.
  • Provide immediate access to content.
  • Avoid popup windows and splash screens unless legally required.

Tags

  • Web Design