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Pattern 28: Home page * |
| Back to Diagram 1 - Getting started | Back to Diagram 2 - Useability | Back to Diagram 3 - Adding detail | Back to Diagram 4 - Workflow/security |
|
Pattern 28: Home page * |
| Back to Diagram 1 - Getting started | Back to Diagram 2 - Useability | Back to Diagram 3 - Adding detail | Back to Diagram 4 - Workflow/security |
You are starting out on the site design and want to get the value proposition of your organization over to the
user clearly. You may also want to use the home page to explicate the site structure via a SITE
MAP (12). You have used a NAVIGATION BAR (25) and BREADCRUMBS
(23) with a THREE-REGION LAYOUT (26) to make it obvious how to get to any piece of content
on the site. You have included a SEARCH BOX (14). You now have to finalize the design of
the home page. You consider using a splash screen or devoting the home page to a similar function. However...
Everyone sees it; everyone owns it! The home page has to engage the interest of every visitor no matter what
their interests and tastes. How can you convey your message to visitors as soon as they reach this page? They may
go no further if you cannot engage their interest.
Splash screens may be helpful for first-time visitors, helping to orient them in relation to the site’s content
and structure.
BUT
Regular and repeat visitors will be incensed at having to download this unneeded material before they can get on
with the job in hand. How can you offer a splash screen only to people who need or want it?
Therefore
Pay more attention to the design of the home page than any other. Make the logo larger on the home page than on other pages within the site. Try to think up a tag line that captures the essence of the site and display it prominently near the top of the page. Tell the user what the site is about.
Don’t clutter the home page.
If you decide a splash screen is justified, use an applet with a check box asking: Display this screen every
visit? Use a cookie (or similar) or log-in to record RETURN VISITORS (68).
This pattern is terminal within this language.
Contributors and sources
Gareth Sylvester-Bradley, Nielsen and Tahir (2002)
The home page should state clearly and succinctly what the company or organization does. It needs to tell the user:
Be sure to include a search facility unless your budget is very limited. Place the search button to right of the search text box or underneath it. The word ‘search’ is preferable to ‘go’ but occupies more space, so there is a trade-off. Avoid putting your search engine on a separate page (except for advanced searches).
Put short cuts to frequently used or important pages on the home page. Ensure that the logo takes you back to home from anywhere in the site.
You may have to display a registration form is you are charging customers to visit your content. However, an ‘Enter Site’ home page is very annoying. Sites with ‘adult’ content have some justification for warning accidental visitors that they may find the material distasteful but we cannot think of many applications where such a page can be justified except when the site is multi-lingual and visitors have to select a language before proceeding. Even in these case you might offer a registered user the chance to skip the splash screen in the future.
You may have to reserve space for advertising. Try using animated rectangles to cycle the adverts and attract
attention. This saves valuable space on the page. Put news or promotions (or clear, explanatory links to them)
on the home page.
Be honest: if you’re tracking users’ clicks then tell them so.
Include ‘last updated’ information and maybe make it a link to the webmaster’s contact details. Always include ‘about us’ information or a link to it on the home page.
Use clear, unambiguous terminology that most visitors will understand.
Nielsen and Tahir (2002) critique 50 home pages and is well worth consulting for ideas. They also give 113 specific guidelines for home page design.
Van Duyne’s UPFRONT VALUE PROPOSITION and HOMEPAGE PORTAL cover some of the same issues as this pattern.
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