Your website’s homepage is often the “star” when you first build your site. It is, after all, the grand entrance to the rest of your website.
But don’t forget about your “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages. These pages get significant traffic and should work with the rest of your site to create a cohesive experience.
Here is what you should know to write brilliant About Us and Contact Us pages.
Your “About Us” Page
The page about your business is often a visitor’s next stop after your website’s home page. If your home page has captivated me, I probably want to know more about the company behind the site.
The best one will tell me a brief version of your company’s story, including how and when it was founded. It will also tell me why you do what you do and may include information about your team.
Writing the Best Page About You
If you’re unsure how to start writing, here are some prompts to get you started.
- What is your company’s mission statement?
- Give a brief overview of your company’s story.
- How has your company evolved?
- Who do you serve, and what do you offer?
- What are your main company values?
- List some social proof in the form of testimonials or reviews.
The design of the page about your business should likewise harmonize with the rest of your website. The color scheme should resonate with other pages’, as should other creative elements, such as images and fonts.
Ensure that you don’t present readers with a daunting “wall of text.” If necessary, break the page into short paragraphs, bullet lists, or numbered lists.
Because so many people will encounter your website on mobile, make sure that it looks great on mobile devices. Also, make sure that it loads quickly because this is critical to a great mobile experience.
Social Proof on Your Page Is a Plus
Your page about your company may tell me your company’s vision and how you plan to fulfill it. And it may offer social proof that reassures me I made the right decision in checking out your website.
Great ones show authenticity, dignity, and approachability. It may additionally show personality and a bit about what it’s like working with you (or buying from you).
It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance with all these elements. Trial and error may be necessary. When you get it right, this page will shine and attract plenty of positive attention.
Your Contact Us Page
Often, website builders leave the creation of a Contact Us page until the end of the process. But you should ensure that your Contact page does not become an afterthought.
Contact Us pages sometimes get more traffic than any other page on a website, particularly for agencies and contractors. Why not make this well-traveled page as appealing as possible?
If you don’t know where to begin, you can find plenty of free templates to help you design your Contact page. If nothing else, these templates can help spark ideas for how you want yours to appear.
Design of Your Contact Us Page
Your Contact Us page doesn’t have to be a paragon of groundbreaking design, but there’s no reason for it to be dull and uninspiring. Follow these best practices to make your Contact page appealing.
- Test navigation to your Contact page. Can users find it quickly?
- Test it on mobile devices in both regular and dark modes. Is it clear and usable?
- Make sure the “personality” of the rest of your website carries over to your Contact Us page.
- Are labels in your Contact form readable and easy to understand?
Does your Contact form ask for a lot of information? If so, you may frustrate users — particularly those on mobile who are typing with a single thumb or finger. Let accessibility guide your design.
Elements of Your Contact Us Page
Follow these best practices in choosing what (besides a contact form) should go on your Contact page.
- Check that spelling and grammar are correct.
- Keep the form as simple and brief as possible.
- Show that you know your audience.
- Include your email address and phone number for those who don’t want to complete the Contact form.
- When users complete the form and submit it, take them to a “Thank you” page that briefly explains how you will contact them and how soon to expect contact.
- Consider including a brief customer review or social media accolade to reassure users that contacting you is a good move.
Characteristics of a Bad Contact Us Page
A “bad” Contact Us page may not have flaws preventing people from using it successfully. But a vibrant, action-oriented website punctuated with a boring Contact Us page that looks like it was designed by someone else entirely is a letdown.
Here are some characteristics that make a Contact page underwhelming.
- Complete lack of character, style, and personality. Sure, a Contact page is primarily functional, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look good.
- An information hierarchy that doesn’t make sense. For example, if you’re telling people how to order a brochure, it should probably go to the bottom of the page rather than the top.
- Making people scroll down before they can see your contact form. The “good stuff” needs to go above the virtual fold.
Characteristics of a Good Contact Us Page
Give your Contact page some thought and effort, and you will improve the user experience. These elements give it that “something extra” that encourages people to engage.
- Social media buttons at the side or bottom to allow people to contact you through various social media networks.
- A map showing your business location, which is particularly useful if you have a locally-oriented business.
- Mini icons that match the rest of your site’s design to give a cohesive user experience
- Contact options that match demographic preferences. For example, if your target audience is of a generation that prefers phone contact, you could put your phone number above your Contact form.
Don’t Let These Pages Be an Afterthought
The About Us and Contact Us pages are incredibly important when building a website. Taking the time to get these pages right with professional, engaging content will make a difference.
The success of your website depends on every web page. From storytelling to modern design trends, there’s potential to impress website visitors with your About Us and Contact Us pages.
Set up a call with our team if you need design expertise for your About Us and Contact Us pages. We are always happy to put our many years of design expertise and knowledge into action.