“ Editing in E-Space: The Front Door” By: Mindy McAdams Presented By: Eric Mortin

Main Points The importance of a home page. The importance of a home page. The biggest difficulty. The biggest difficulty. Drawbacks of overcompensation. Drawbacks of overcompensation. Potential pitfalls. Potential pitfalls. Home page solutions. Home page solutions.

Why A Home Page Is So Important First impressions are vital on the internet. First impressions are vital on the internet.  With vast amounts of free material, there is plenty of competition. The average user doesn’t stay to browse a site if they are not interested by the home page. The average user doesn’t stay to browse a site if they are not interested by the home page.

How Publishers Solve This Problem Many web publishers attempt to entice visitors by placing every link that they have available on their home page. Many web publishers attempt to entice visitors by placing every link that they have available on their home page.  This overwhelms first time viewers.  This makes it difficult for repeat visitors to find new material.

How Many Overcompensate Other web publishers choose a large graphic and a few small buttons in an attempt to focus visitors’ attention. Other web publishers choose a large graphic and a few small buttons in an attempt to focus visitors’ attention.  This method lacks the ability to change, thus neglecting the repeat-visitor.

What to Watch Out For The goal of a homepage is to appeal to the first time visitor and repeat viewer alike. The goal of a homepage is to appeal to the first time visitor and repeat viewer alike.  Newcomers should be drawn into the main purpose of the site.  Regulars need to be attracted by something new and updated.

How to Solve the Issues Present new material at the top of the site regardless of category. Present new material at the top of the site regardless of category. Give brief descriptions and teasers for updated content. Give brief descriptions and teasers for updated content. Feature an item every week in order to redisplay old material in a new light. Feature an item every week in order to redisplay old material in a new light. Add dynamic content, such as a tip or quote of the day, to static pages, such as employee contact listings. Add dynamic content, such as a tip or quote of the day, to static pages, such as employee contact listings.

Conclusion Remember to focus on the repeat visitor and first time viewer alike. Remember to focus on the repeat visitor and first time viewer alike. Questions? Questions?