The 10-Minute Homepage Test: Would You Hire You?
Let’s pretend your website is on a blind date with your dream client.
They’ve got high expectations, limited time, and one finger hovering dangerously close to the back button. You've got 10 minutes (if you're lucky) to make an impression that says, "I'm the one you've been looking for."
Your homepage isn’t just a virtual handshake. It's your first, best, and maybe only chance to communicate what you do, who it's for, and why it matters.
So, would you hire you?
Let’s find out.
Step 1: The 5-Second Gut Check
Open your homepage. Set a timer for 5 seconds. Now ask yourself:
Do you immediately know what you offer?
Is it clear who it’s for?
Is there a clear next step or CTA?
If your brain said, "Uhh... kinda?" your homepage needs work.
Fix it: Your headline should not be vague or poetic. Try: "Brand Strategy for Coaches Who Want to Stand Out" vs. "Empowering Bold Brilliance."
Step 2: Scroll Like a Stranger
Most first-time visitors are skeptical. They scan, skim, and bounce quickly.
So scroll your homepage like you've never seen it before:
Is the content organized and easy to follow?
Does the copy speak directly to your dream client?
Are the sections building a narrative or just floating there aimlessly?
Fix it: Use strategic sections: problem, solution, social proof, services, and CTA. Make it flow like a sales page, not a scrapbook.
Step 3: Check Your CTA (Call to Action)
Now for the money question: what do you want people to do?
Book a call? Buy your course? Sign up for your list? Whatever it is, it needs to be crystal clear and repeated.
Checklist:
Is your main CTA above the fold?
Does it appear again near the bottom?
Is it obvious what happens when someone clicks?
Fix it: Use action language: "Book Your Free Consult," "Grab the Checklist," "Start Your Project."
Step 4: Audit for Trust
People do business with people they trust. That means your homepage should include a few trust triggers:
A professional photo (yes, of you)
Testimonials or client results
Press features or logos (if you have them)
Specifics about your process or what to expect
Fix it: Even one short quote from a happy client can go a long way. Don’t bury it 3 pages deep.
Step 5: Mobile, Baby
More than half your traffic is likely coming from a phone. If your homepage turns into a hot mess on mobile, you're losing leads.
Checklist:
Does the layout still make sense?
Can you read the text without zooming?
Are buttons tappable?
Fix it: Preview in mobile view, then test it on a real phone. Adjust font size and spacing as needed.
Step 6: Speed + Function
Slow = no.
If your homepage takes more than 3 seconds to load, visitors are out.
Checklist:
Are your images optimized?
Any auto-play videos or clunky animations?
Is your font loading causing lag?
Fix it: Compress large files. Ditch unnecessary flourishes. Keep it clean and fast.
Step 7: Check for Clarity Over Cleverness
Your homepage isn't the place to get too cute. Clarity trumps creativity when it comes to conversion.
If you’re hiding behind quirky phrases, inside jokes, or vague headlines, you might think you're being clever, but your visitor is just confused.
Fix it: Speak plainly. Boldly. Directly. You can still sound like you without being cryptic.
Bonus: Ask a Friend
Ask someone outside your industry to look at your homepage for 60 seconds. Then ask them:
What do you think I do?
Who do you think I work with?
What do you think the next step is?
If their answers don’t match your intentions, it’s time to rewrite.
What to Do If You Flunked the Test
Don’t panic. You don’t need to burn it down and start over. Most homepage issues are fixable in a couple of hours, not weeks.
Start by updating your headline. Add or rework your CTA. Swap in a photo that actually looks like you. Trim the fluff. And please check that mobile view.
If you want help, grab my free Website Polish Kit. It walks you through a 60-minute audit with zero tech headaches.
Because your homepage isn’t just a digital welcome mat. It’s the sales rep that works 24/7. Let’s make it a damn good one.
