How To Add A Normal Homepage To Woocommerce Site

How to Add a Normal Homepage to Your WooCommerce Site (That Isn’t Just Products!)

So, you’ve got a fantastic WooCommerce store up and running! You’re selling awesome products, but when people visit your website’s homepage, they’re greeted with… just a list of products. That’s not very welcoming, is it? You want to tell your brand story, showcase your unique selling points, and guide visitors towards the right products. You want a *real* homepage!

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many WooCommerce beginners face this challenge. This guide will show you how to add a normal, engaging homepage to your WooCommerce site, even if you’re not a coding expert.

Think of your homepage as the storefront window of your online shop. Instead of just displaying items for sale, you want to entice people to come inside and explore.

Why Should You Bother with a “Normal” Homepage?

Having a dedicated homepage that isn’t just a product listing is crucial for several reasons:

• First Impressions Matter: Your homepage is often the first thing potential customers see. A well-designed homepage makes a strong impression and encourages them to stay longer.
• Brand Storytelling: A normal homepage allows you to communicate your brand’s mission, values, and unique selling proposition. Why should someone buy *from you* instead of the competition? Tell them!
• Improved Navigation: Guide visitors to specific product categories, promotions, or important information with clear calls to action.
• Better SEO: Optimize your homepage with relevant keywords and compelling content to improve your search engine ranking.
• Increased Conversions: A well-crafted homepage can lead to higher conversion rates by guiding visitors towards making a purchase. Imagine a real-life store: you wouldn’t just throw products at people the moment they walk in, would you? You’d greet them, show them around, and highlight what’s special about your store.

Step 1: Creating Your New Homepage

First, you need a page to *be* your homepage. This is where you’ll add all your fantastic content.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Pages > Add New.

2. Give your page a title. Something simple like “Home” or “Homepage” works perfectly.

3. Now, the fun part! Start designing your homepage. This is where you’ll add content like:

• A compelling headline: Grab the visitor’s attention immediately. For example, instead of just “Welcome to Our Store,” try “Discover Handcrafted Leather Goods Made with Passion.”
• An introductory paragraph: Briefly explain what your store offers and why it’s special.
• Eye-catching images or videos: Showcase your products in action or create a visually appealing experience.
• Calls to action (CTAs): Guide visitors to take specific actions, such as “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Browse Our Best Sellers.” Make these buttons stand out!

4. Don’t publish just yet! We need to set this as your actual homepage.

Step 2: Setting Your New Page as the Homepage

Now that you’ve created your awesome new homepage, you need to tell WordPress to use it!

1. Go to Settings > Reading in your WordPress dashboard.

2. Under “Your homepage displays,” select “A static page.”

3. From the “Homepage” dropdown menu, choose the page you created in Step 1 (e.g., “Home”).

4. For the “Posts page” dropdown, you can either:

• Select an existing “Blog” page if you have one. This is where your blog posts will be displayed.
• Create a new page called “Blog” and select that. If you don’t plan on having a blog, you can leave this blank.

5. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

Congratulations! You now have a dedicated homepage for your WooCommerce site.

Step 3: Designing Your Homepage (The Fun Part!)

This is where you get to be creative! There are a few ways to design your homepage:

• Using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg): This is the built-in WordPress editor. It’s easy to use and allows you to add blocks of content, such as text, images, videos, and buttons. Experiment with different block combinations to create a visually appealing layout.
• Using a Page Builder Plugin: Page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi provide more advanced design options and drag-and-drop functionality. They often come with pre-built templates and modules to help you create a professional-looking homepage quickly. These are great if you want more control over the design without coding.
• Using Your Theme’s Customizer: Many WooCommerce themes offer built-in customization options that allow you to modify the homepage layout and content directly from the theme customizer. Check your theme’s documentation for specific instructions.

Here are some ideas for what to include on your homepage:

• A Hero Image: A large, visually appealing image that showcases your products or brand.
• Featured Products: Highlight a few of your best-selling or newest products. Use WooCommerce shortcodes or blocks to embed these directly onto the page. For example, `[products limit=”4″ columns=”4″ best_selling=”true”]` will display your 4 best-selling products in 4 columns.
• Category Highlights: Showcase different product categories to help visitors find what they’re looking for. Use images and short descriptions to entice them.
• Customer Testimonials: Build trust and credibility by featuring positive reviews from satisfied customers.
• About Us Section: Tell your brand story and connect with visitors on a personal level.
• Contact Information: Make it easy for people to get in touch with you.

Example: A Coffee Shop Homepage

Let’s say you run an online coffee shop. Here’s what your homepage might look like:

• Hero Image: A beautiful photo of someone enjoying a cup of your coffee.
• Headline: “Experience the Perfect Cup, Delivered to Your Door.”
• Introductory Paragraph: “We source the finest Arabica beans from around the world, roasted to perfection and delivered fresh to your doorstep. Discover your new favorite coffee today!”
• Featured Products: Four blocks showcasing your best-selling coffee blends.
• Category Highlights: Sections for “Single Origin Coffees,” “Blends,” and “Coffee Accessories.”
• Call to Action: “Shop Now” buttons under each section.
• About Us Section: A brief story about your coffee shop and your passion for coffee.

Final Thoughts

Creating a normal homepage for your WooCommerce site is essential for building a strong brand, improving user experience, and increasing conversions. By following these steps and using your creativity, you can create a homepage that welcomes visitors, tells your story, and guides them towards making a purchase. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different layouts and content until you find what works best for your business! Good luck!