What is a homepage?
A homepage, or home page, is the front page of any given website. When you first map out how to plan a website, a homepage is intended to be the first page visitors see when reaching a website’s URL. Essentially, it serves as a significant landing page for visitors, capturing their attention and letting them know what the website is all about, whether it’s commercial or personal.
The URL of a homepage is typically the base-level domain name of any particular website. For example, typing in https://www.wix.com will bring you to the homepage of Wix. A website can have multiple homepages, like in the case of multilingual websites, where it is a common practice to make language specific homepages.
The term homepage can also refer to the default page when you open a web browser such as Google. This is also called a start page, and can spotlight either one specific website, or feature multiple sites frequently visited by the user.
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What is the purpose of a homepage?
A website’s homepage acts as a starting point for new and returning visitors, providing an overview of everything it offers. One of the most common uses of a homepage is to act like a directory, giving visitors valuable information about the website and providing links to specific areas of the particular site.
When designing a website with multiple pages, keep in mind that the homepage can help facilitate easy website navigation for your visitors across all pages.
Since it’s the first page visitors will see after typing in the website’s URL, the homepage also plays an important role in making a good first impression on visitors. In web design, there is a strong focus on the appearance of a site’s homepage, ensuring that it sets the right tone for new visitors and their user experience.
A homepage is also a place for facilitating user engagement. For example, a homepage can highlight the most recent articles of a blog or online journal, providing visitors with the most relevant reading material upfront. It can also be a virtual place for promoting events and special offers, and updating visitors.
Webpage vs. homepage
Whereas a homepage is a specific type of webpage, essentially the term webpage refers to any page of collected content displayed on a website. A website will typically include multiple webpages linked together in an orderly way, and these are often accessed through the homepage itself.
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What’s included in a homepage?
When you make a homepage of your own, we suggest starting with a website builder like Wix. Here, you'll have plenty of professional features to add to your website design, and the tools and guidance you need to create a compelling homepage.
The makeup of a homepage will vary depending on the intentions of the website. A typical homepage includes a navigation menu that directs users to other pages of the site, such as an About Us page, product page, contact page or blog.
It is common to add a navigation bar at the header of the website’s homepage, so that the menu is always visible to visitors as they scroll. Variations like the hamburger menu or sidebar menu provide minimalistic alternatives for website owners, and are often seen in mobile websites. On the other hand, web designers building sites with abundant pages (for example, and eCommerce website) will implement breadcrumbs to help visitors keep track of their location while browsing.
Since the homepage is the default webpage for visitors arriving to a site, it will typically provide an overview of information. In order to communicate what the website offers visitors, most homepages include a business name, brand logo, visuals, and contact information. These branded elements will ensure that site visitors are presented with critical information, while strengthening the website’s brand identity.
Additionally, homepages are a strategic location for including calls-to-action: short marketing messages intended to motivate users to take a specific action. It’s a great way to promote special purchasing offers, get users to sign up for upcoming events and show off new products or services.
Best practices for homepage design
A compelling homepage design should prioritize simplicity, usability and visual appeal. Start with a clean layout, with easy navigation to guide users seamlessly through your site.
It's important to build an appealing hero section that succinctly communicates your brand identity and value proposition. Always use high-quality images and concise copy to convey key messages throughout your homepage. Use a consistent color palette and typography for a cohesive look.
Consider using a user-centric design with important content placed above the fold, complete with clear calls-to-action.
Incorporate social proof, testimonials, or notable achievements on your homepage to build trust with your site visitors.
Regularly update and optimize your homepage based on user feedback and evolving trends to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. Use website analytics tracking and reporting to understand how your homepage performs, in terms of user engagement and traffic.
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