A home page is like the first paragraph of a novel; it is the presentation of your dinner order; it is the opening act of a play. The home page has to be interesting and user friendly in order for your website to be successful. Of course, there are other things involved in having a great website, such as having a lot of traffic. However, because your home page is the first thing that visitors see, you have to make it visually appealing and easy to use so that your website will be further explored. If your website is not further explored, you will not succeed in the Internet business game. You have to make it so your website visitors want to explore more.

A home page is defined as the initial page of a site on the Internet. There is no hidden explanation in this definition. A home page is simply the first page that your website visitors will see. As such, this is the page that has to make the biggest impression. In a book, if the first couple of chapters are slow, chances are that you will not finish the book. However, if the first couple of chapters are good, you will finish the book. The same is true with your website. If the home page is visually appealing and easy to use, a user will continue to explore your website.

You have to make an impression on users when they visit your website. Make your website worth remembering. It is important to note, however, that the purpose of your website has to be put in perspective when designing your home page. It cannot be all flash and no functionality. For example, look at Google’s home page. It is clean and simple. The search bar is in the middle, the Google name is right above that, and there is a small menu on the top of the screen. Google is trying to focus on its search engine abilities. Yahoo, on the other hand, focuses on the whole experience. Therefore, Yahoo’s homepage is full of news, sports, whether, e-mail options, and other available options. Which one is more effective? That question is up for debate however, the point is that both home pages attract users for different reasons. You have to try to accomplish the same thing regardless of the home page design that you decide on using.

The point is that your home page is vital to your Internet success. As such, design it well and make it functional.