Avoid an overcrowded header. The header is the part of your website where your logo and page navigation sits. This area needs to easy to navigate for your user’s experience. Users that cannot find the content or information they are looking for will get frustrated and leave your website never returning.

Image content needs to be optimized for speed. Avoid using images larger than 1920×1080. If your image is larger than HD, then it will cost you lots of website visitors as your page will most likely take longer than 8 seconds to load. If you have an image that is large and you need to downsize it, open up Photoshop, or paint and do so. If you have the option of exporting images at 80% as a jpg I highly advise that you do as it will optimize your page’s load times.

Keep your homepage new and updated. Fresh content on your homepage is one of the best ways to indicate to your users that you are still active. An RSS feed is a great way to do this.

Realize your home page is the most valuable space on your website. Everything on your homepage should have some core value for your businesses’ products or service while offering useful information to your visitors.

Not including capture forms is a big mistake on most up and coming websites. You are literally throwing away potential leads/sales when you do not include a sign-up newsletter form or contact form that saves the messenger’s contact info.