The short answer
Someone arriving on your website is usually on their phone, with one question in mind. If they can't answer it in about ten seconds, many will go back and try the next result. Here are the five things they are looking for, and a quick way to check your own homepage.
What are the five things?
- What do you do? In plain words, at the top. "Family bakery in Inverurie" says more than "Welcome to our website".
- Where are you? The town and the street. Not everyone searching is local.
- When are you open? Today's hours, without visiting another page.
- How do I reach you? A phone number they can tap, or a button to book.
- What should I do next? One clear step: book, call, or see the menu.
How do I check mine?
Open your homepage on a phone and hand it to someone who doesn't know the business well. Ask them the five questions, and don't help. Anything they scroll for, hesitate over or get wrong is worth moving nearer the top.
What usually gets in the way?
- A large photo or slideshow that fills the whole first screen.
- A welcome paragraph about the history of the business before it says what you sell.
- Opening hours and phone number only at the very bottom, or on a separate contact page.
- Several buttons that all look equally important.
None of this needs a new website. Often it means moving three things nearer the top.
Does ten seconds really matter?
On a phone the first screen is small, and people decide quickly. The good news is that this is one of the cheapest things to put right.