--- title: "Homepage layout: what goes at the top of the page | MCC" description: "A practical order for a small business homepage: headline, proof, services, next step. Learn what visitors need in the first screen and what can wait." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/websites/guides/homepage-layout-what-goes-above-the-fold" --- Guide · Updated October 12, 2026 # Homepage layout: what goes at the top of the page Visitors decide in a few seconds whether they are in the right place. Your homepage has one job in that moment: answer three questions before anyone scrolls. What do you do, who is it for, and what should I do next? By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions **Quick answer.** Above the fold, a homepage should answer what you do, who it is for and what the visitor should do next. Open yours on a phone and look at only the first screen: a stranger should be able to say what you sell, roughly where you work and how to contact you. **Free tools:** [Free website SEO check](/websites/seo-checker) · [Search result preview](/websites/search-result-preview) ## The first screen answers three questions Open your homepage on a phone and look only at what appears without scrolling. A stranger should be able to say what you sell, roughly where you work, and how to contact you. If the first screen is a slideshow, a welcome message or a large photo with no words, one of those questions goes unanswered. A headline that names the service and the customer works better than a company slogan. 'Bathroom remodeling for homeowners who want one point of contact' says more than 'Quality you can trust.' Put a short supporting line underneath with the area you serve or the main way you work. ## Put one primary action next to the headline Pick the single action you want most visitors to take. For a plumber it is a phone call. For an accountant it may be a free first meeting. Make that a clear button or tappable number beside the headline, in a color that stands out from the rest of the page. You can keep a quieter second option, such as 'See our services,' for people who are not ready. Three equal buttons compete with each other and most people pick none. ## The scroll order that tends to work After the first screen, think of the page as a short conversation. Start with a few lines on the problems you solve, then your main services as simple cards that each link to a full page. Follow with proof: a couple of real reviews, a recognizable client type, or a photo of finished work. Then add a short section on how you work, in three or four steps, because that calms nervous buyers. Finish with a repeat of the main action and your contact details. A footer with address, hours and phone number catches anyone who scrolled to the bottom looking for them. ## What to leave off or move down Long company history, awards from years ago and a list of every service you have ever offered belong on other pages. The same goes for auto-playing music, rotating banners that change before you can read them, and pop-ups that block the page the moment it loads. Each one delays the answer to the three questions. If you are unsure whether something earns its spot, ask whether a first-time customer needs it to decide to call. If not, link to it from the homepage instead of showing it in full. ## Check it the way a visitor would Ask someone who does not know your business to look at the page for five seconds, then close it and tell you what you do. If they cannot, simplify the top section. Test on a real phone, since many local searches happen there, and confirm the main button works with one tap. Revisit the layout once a year, because your best-selling services change over time. ## Common questions **Should my homepage have a slideshow?** Usually not. Slides hide content behind timers and most visitors only see the first one. A single strong image or none at all, plus a clear headline, performs more reliably and loads faster. **How long should a homepage be?** Long enough to answer the common questions and short enough to scan. For many small businesses that means five to seven sections, each with a clear heading and a link to more detail. This guide is general information. Search engines change how they work and their guidelines; check Google's current documentation for your situation. Nobody can guarantee a ranking. Let us handle it [### Website design Fast, mobile-first small business websites built by a New Jersey firm, with a fixed written quote. You own the domain, hosting and content. Website design →](/websites/services/website-design) More guides - [How to build a simple website navigation menu](/websites/guides/website-navigation-menu-for-small-business) - [Calls to action that get clicks on a small site](/websites/guides/calls-to-action-that-get-clicks) - [How to design a contact page people actually use](/websites/guides/how-to-design-a-contact-page) - [How to write an About page that builds trust](/websites/guides/how-to-write-an-about-page) Free tools - [Website basics check](/websites/seo-checker) - [Is your website working for you? quiz](/websites/quiz) [All guides](/websites/guides) Reach small business owners working on their website and Google listing who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#websites). Do it yourself ### Small Business Website Starter A fast, mobile-friendly one-page site you edit in a text editor and host anywhere, with the sections a local service business needs and a plain setup guide. 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