Articlr

The home page of an business site is very important, although it may not harken thoughts of the security of a traditional home's warmth and protection. Still, it does get its nickname of "home" for a reason.}

Let's settle one thing up front, though: For most online businesses the home page is not the most important. Far from it. That is probably the page that contains an "order now" button or a prospect lead form. However, in most cases the home page will attract more first time visitors than any other single page on your site.}

Assuming that you have followed a traditional link building plan, more external links will be directed to your home page than any other. It probably also has its share of internal links from other pages on your site, if only because it typically appears on the navigation menu of every page. Should your visitors lose their way, due either to taking a wrong turn or due to poor design by your website's architect, they probably will return to the home page to serve as their base of operations in order to launch another quest.}

That simply means that your visitors will use your home page more than it might merit, although I took a circuitous route to get to that conclusion. While they're there, you might as well make good use of them and their time.}

That brings us to our central question, which is what are the functions of a good home page in an effectively designed online business website? Consider what follows to be a menu from which you may choose, ala carte:}

* Provide a corporate office atrium to set the mood for your business' corporate climate--laid back and informal, or efficient and orderly or however else you position the company.}

* Provide directional signs to all of the locations that your most prized customers are likely to want to visit. Of course, your navigation menu will provide this service on all of your site's pages, but, since this is often the first visit by many of your guests, the home page is an opportunity to help them understand the road maps that you will regularly provide.}

* Assure that the business's mission is clearly communicated.}

* Be explicit in explaining to your visitors what you want them to do. Don't make them guess! They visit some sites which want to give away information, others which want their contact information and still others that want the visitors to buy a product or contract for a service. Maybe your business hopes for all three possibilities.}

* Make a favorable first impression by picking up the clutter; create an attractive but unpretentious space.}

Those are some of the functions to consider for any business home page, regardless of whether you already have a large, established, authority website or you are planning to build a small business website.}

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