What should I put on my site's homepage?

[Matrixster]

I have been having trouble trying to decide what 'content' to put on my homepage.

The site is a good and large resource for "widgets".

I want the homepage to appear simple, as some competitors sites homepages are confusing and complicated (too many options).
I think simple is better. Take the google homepage for example=simple. Versus yahoo=lots of links and sometimes confusing.

Currently my homepage has a top,left and bottom nav bar, a right side table for "signing up for the site's newsletter".
But What should I put in the 'content' area?

I currently have:

"Find a widget"
With a "start here" button
(basicly my site's $ maker)

Another idea I had was to take the "widget resources" page on my site and make the homepage appear like a directory type homepage listing all of the available resources available for users.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[jo1ene]

If you want to make money, you have to reach out and grab someones attention. Think headlines. A few headlines with attached blurbs that lead folks into your site (where you then make the sale).

Mix them up. Yes - keep it simple, but to the point.

Experiment with different approaches. If "Get Your Widgets NOW for only $19.99" doesn't work, try "Looking for the highest quality widgets on the market?"

[karlsult]

You can place a little picture on the right hand side, then enter some information in your main page. if you are going to send your site to search engines it is best to use keywords.

Search for good keywords for your content. Then write something about your product. It does not matter what. BUT include the keyword in your content at least three times.
Link to keyword tool:
[inventory.overture.com...]

You need to make sales right? Then you must focus more on how to get visitors then on what to write inside your homepage. You can read a great ebook about website promotion , which is easy to read:

<snip>

It helps a lot to understand what must you include in a site.

Karl Smith
<snip>

[edited by: trillianjedi at 11:06 am (utc) on Aug. 25, 2005]
[edit reason] TOS #13, and no sigs please ;-) [/edit]

[Matrixster]

Thanks Jo1ene
you got some ideas rolling in my head.
I Could still use more advice...