So, What Makes a
Good Homepage?
The homepage is the first page you see when you go to someone's website. Let's define some terms so that we are "on the same page", so to speak.
homepage: usually the first page you see when you go to someone's site; this page usually has the filename 'index.html'
webpage: a single page at someone's website usually devoted to a specific topic; this can be thought of as a paragraph in a short story or a chapter of a book
website: all of the pages taken together that represent the individuals work or presentation and make a cohesive whole, think of it as the whole story or book
A good homepage should:
1. load relatively quickly,
2. have an obvious purpose either stated or clearly shown by its content,
3. be well organized and easy to navigate,
4. be easy to read,
5. be clearly focused on its target audience,
6. and, of course, be attractive, interesting, and inviting.
As you see browse the Internet, keep these things in mind as you look at different sites. You will surely see many examples of websites that are both very well done, and those that could use a bit of "sprucing up" and organizing.
Copyright Charles Kish
July 7, 2000
All Rights Reserved