Table of Contents
- The Elements of an Effective Moxie Client Portal Homepage
- The Technical Setup
- An Ideal Setup
- Making It Work for Your Business
You know what’s fun? When a client messages you asking for something that’s literally right there in their portal. And by fun, I mean the exact opposite of fun.
Last year, I had a client frantically message me about not being able to find their website login info. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here staring at their portal homepage where their login credentials are prominently displayed in a bright blue box (their brand color, because I’m extra like that).
The worst part? This wasn’t even the first time this had happened that week.
That’s when I realized – it’s not enough to just dump information on a homepage.
We need to be strategic about how we organize and present it. Because let’s be real, our clients aren’t going to spend 20 minutes hunting for what they need.
And why should they? They’re busy running their own businesses, taking care of their families, and trying to keep up with their own never-ending to-do lists.
After a lot of trial and error (and maybe a few frustrated sighs while staring at my computer screen), I’ve finally figured out a homepage setup that actually works. Like, clients-actually-finding-what-they-need-without-messaging-me works. And today, I’m going to share exactly how I do it.
But first, let me tell you about my journey to this setup, because it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. When I first started using Moxie, I tried to cram everything onto the homepage. And I mean everything. Login credentials, project timelines, meeting notes, random thoughts I had at 2 AM – you name it, it was there.
It looked like my brain had exploded all over the page. Unsurprisingly, this led to even more confused messages from clients.
Then I went the opposite direction and made it super minimal. Just a welcome message and a few links. Guess what happened? Yep, still got messages asking where things were. Turns out, there’s a sweet spot between information overload and not enough information.
The Elements of an Effective Moxie Client Portal Homepage
Let’s talk about what actually needs to be on your homepage. Through countless iterations and feedback from clients (both direct and indirect – you know, those “where do I find…?” messages), I’ve identified the key elements that make a homepage actually useful.
The welcome section is crucial – it’s the first thing clients see when they log in. But it needs to be more than just “Hey there!” I learned this the hard way when a client told me they felt lost every time they logged in.
Now, I make sure this section includes their project name or type (because some clients have multiple projects with us), their current project status, and any immediate next steps. This immediately orients them and gives them a clear picture of where things stand.
Think of it like walking into a store. You want to see signs telling you where different departments are, right? Same concept here. Your welcome section is like that directory by the entrance – it helps people know where they are and where they need to go.
Quick links are another essential element, but they need to be truly “quick.”
I used to include every possible link a client might need, which defeated the purpose of having quick links in the first place. Now, I limit it to the most frequently accessed items: forms they need to fill out, important documents, the meeting scheduler, and support ticket submission. Everything else can live in its designated section.
Speaking of organization, let’s talk about project information. This is where I see a lot of portal homepages go wrong (including my early attempts). It’s tempting to just list everything out chronologically or in the order you think of it. But that’s not how clients look for information. They’re looking for specific things at specific times.
I organize project information into clear categories: timeline, workbook, and review links.
But here’s the key – I don’t just dump all the information under these headings. Each piece of information needs context. For example, instead of just listing login credentials, I include a brief note about what each login is for and when they might need it.
The Technical Setup
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually set this up in Moxie. Don’t worry – it’s not as complicated as it might seem. Even if you’re like me and sometimes forget which tab you just had open (thank goodness for browser history), you can handle this.
First, you’ll need to go to your client portal settings in Moxie. This is where some people get intimidated because there are a lot of options. But we’re focusing specifically on the Portal Settings section. Once you’re there, look for the Custom Homepage option. This is where the magic happens.
You can use Moxie’s HTML editor for custom homepages, which I know might sound scary if you’re not a coder. The first time I looked at HTML, I felt like I was trying to read ancient hieroglyphics. But, you don’t need to be a coding expert to create an effective homepage.
The editor is actually pretty user-friendly once you get the hang of it. You can use basic formatting like headers, paragraphs, and links without needing to know complex code. Plus, Moxie has some built-in styling that makes everything look clean and professional automatically.
An Ideal Setup
Let me walk you through my ideal setup.
At the very top, I would have a personalized welcome message that includes the client’s name. Below that is what I would call the “Status Snapshot” – a quick overview of where we are in the project and what’s happening next. This section should get updated regularly, which helps clients feel like they’re always in the loop.
Next comes the “Action Items” section. This is where I would list anything the client needs to do, with direct links to make it as easy as possible for them. I would say to make this section stand out visually after realizing that clients often scroll past important tasks if they blend in with the rest of the page.
Below that is the link to their “Important Information” section, which includes all those crucial details clients need regular access to – logins, important dates, team contacts, etc. I organize this information in a way that makes logical sense, grouping related items together and using clear headings to make everything easy to find.
The bottom of the homepage includes a link what I call the “Help Center” – links to helpful documentation, tutorials, and other resources that clients might need throughout the project. This section isn’t as prominent as the others because it’s not stuff they need every day, but it’s still easily accessible when they do need it.
Making It Work for Your Business
While this setup works great for my web design business, your needs might be different. Maybe you’re a photographer who needs to prominently display session dates and image galleries. Or perhaps you’re a coach who wants to highlight upcoming calls and homework assignments.
The key is to think about your client journey and what information they need at different stages.
What are the most common questions you get?
What do clients frequently ask for help finding?
These are the things that should be front and center on your homepage.
Also, consider your clients’ comfort level with technology. Some of my clients are super tech-savvy and can navigate complex portal structures with ease. Others… well, let’s just say they appreciate a more straightforward approach. Your homepage design should accommodate all of them.
Want to skip the trial and error phase and at least have a starting point? I’ve got a free Canva template that you can grab right here.
Just pop your email in below and I’ll send it right over.
Want a longer version of this template? You can purchase it over here.
Remember, the goal isn’t to create the prettiest homepage (though that’s a nice bonus). The goal is to make it ridiculously easy for your clients to find what they need. Because at the end of the day, the best client portal is the one they actually use.
The homepage you create should evolve based on your clients’ needs and feedback. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you go – I’m constantly tweaking mine based on client interactions and those middle-of-the-night realizations about how something could work better.
Questions about setting up your Moxie portal? Shoot me a message. I literally test Moxie features while drinking my morning coffee (which my husband finds both impressive and concerning), so I’m always happy to help!
P.S. This template has been cat-approved by Finnick, who insists on sitting on my keyboard during all portal setup sessions. Though Callie, as usual, remains unimpressed. And Oliver just wants to know if this means more treats.
